It’s that point of 12 months! A time after we sit again and replicate on the previous 365 days. I’ve been writing these “Looking Back” posts since 2012 and I’m unhappy to say that for varied causes (some of which you’ll examine right here), I missed writing about 2022.
Most of 2022 was wonderful and we had some very memorable moments – like celebrating our 15th anniversary collectively in Cyprus, an epic press journey to the Bahamas, residing and touring round Slovakia for nearly Three months, and spending Christmas in Canada with our households.
Nevertheless, the tip of 2022 and into the primary few months of 2023 had been very rocky instances and we discovered ourselves flailing. Fortunately, the tumultuous begin didn’t final, and we transitioned our 12 months from questionable to superior.
Every year has a sense or theme, and for us, the phrase that involves thoughts for 2023 is transition and transformation: of who we’re, what we do, and the life we lead.
On this put up, I’ll begin with the craziness. Regardless that it was so messy at first, this was a implausible 12 months total, and I’m excited to share our wins and failures with you on this put up.
If you wish to learn our earlier 12 months’s roundups, take a look at 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
Flailing into 2023
For a lot of 2022, we had been engaged on the paperwork wanted to acquire residency in Bulgaria (extra about residing in Bulgaria beneath).
It’s a really lengthy story, however after months and months of gathering the (many) paperwork required to use for residency, our lawyer referred to as.
It was Friday night and we had been sitting on our sofa in the home we rented in Bulgaria. He was calling to tell us that we had 5 days to go to the Bulgarian consulate in Canada and apply for the long-stay visa, in any other case one of our paperwork would expire.
We knew we needed to go to Canada ultimately, however we must always’ve nonetheless had months earlier than we wanted to use. How might this be taking place?!
Since all the pieces took so lengthy to do (appointments, gathering paperwork, notarizing/apostelling, and many others.), the validity of one of the preliminary paperwork we had procured from our house nation of Canada was about to run out.
If that doc expired, we wouldn’t have the ability to apply for the long-stay visa, and finally, residency in Bulgaria. All of our laborious work would have been for nothing.
Our lawyer referred to as us on November 13th and by November 15th we had been on a aircraft from Bulgaria to Canada – probably the most direct and solely affordable flight possibility for a complete week. If one thing went flawed or we missed our connecting flight in Poland, we wouldn’t make it on time. There was rather a lot of stress on that flight!
Fortunately, we made it and on the morning of November 17th, we went to the Bulgarian consulate in Toronto with all of our paperwork to use for our long-stay D-Visa.
We utilized on the final day it will have been doable. The Bulgarian consular common confirmed that to us with a humorous smile as we handed him our paperwork.
Now all we needed to do was wait and hope we’d be accredited. The consulate stated it will take round 5 weeks for the visa to be accredited (or denied).
Spending the Holidays in Canada
Since we had been already in Canada (thoughts you, on the opposite facet of the nation from our households), we determined to spend Christmas and New Year’s with our dad and mom, siblings, and kinfolk. Relatively than ready round in Toronto for five weeks for the paperwork to return again, this appeared like a way more gratifying concept.
It was the primary time we’d spent Christmas at house since 2013.
It was chilly, snowy, and oh-so festive! We went ice skating and tubing on the ski hill. We danced and mingled at three Christmas events. Nick went looking along with his brother, we went for snowy hikes and bowling with household, and we laughed, ate, and drank an excessive amount of.
We rang within the new 12 months with my household and celebrated Nick’s grandma’s 80th birthday per week later with family members. It was an important go to again house and a very good strategy to begin 2023.
In the beginning of January, we heard again from the Bulgarian embassy and our visas had been prepared for pick-up in Toronto. We obtained our long-stay visa for Bulgaria! This was step one to acquiring residency, with extra to observe as soon as we returned to Bulgaria.
Regardless that we had been so relieved the celebrities aligned and all the pieces was accredited, we had one thing within the again of our minds…
The Rocky Begin to the Year
That is tough to write down, and we haven’t shared this publicly but. However, on the finish of 2022 and into March of 2023, we had been contemplating promoting Goats On The Highway (I do know, I can’t consider it both).
We had been feeling off and in a inventive stoop (which began through the pandemic), and with all of the brand new developments round AI, we had been feeling deflated and as if we in all probability wouldn’t have a enterprise for for much longer.
We had been being very “doom and gloom” and (because it seems) overreacting about the entire thing. On the time, nonetheless, we thought we must always exit our enterprise and transfer on whereas we might.
We deliberate to promote simply the web site itself, with out our social media accounts and Nick’s running a blog programs. I needed to maintain our reference to our readers on social media, and Nick needed to proceed instructing his college students. Two features of our weblog that we each adore.
We had no concept what we’d do for a job and revenue going ahead, however for no matter purpose, on the time it felt like the correct factor to do.
Goats On The Highway had been our life for 10 years. This was an extremely laborious resolution to make and I used to be actually crying after we pressed the “submit” button on the promoting platform.
Had been we making the correct resolution?
We listed our web site at a excessive worth and we obtained rather a lot of curiosity. We ended up doing 5 severe calls with enterprise capitalist companies who had been considering buying our website and including it to their portfolio.
Of these 5 calls, we obtained Three official provides. Financially, they had been glorious, life-changing provides. However, the phrases of the agreements didn’t sit proper with us and we declined all of them.
Throughout all of the provide calls, we needed to checklist the wonderful features of Goats On The Highway to those patrons, together with viewers engagement, revenue, analytics, model power, and potential for the web site. What finally occurred throughout these calls was that we bought our website again to ourselves.
This entire course of reminded us of why we love Goats On The Highway and it gave us an enormous push to maintain transferring ahead and ignited a spark inside us. We had a lot readability on what we needed to do going ahead with our enterprise.
We determined that we had been going to maintain our web site and we doubled down on it, investing our time, power, and love, implementing all the perfect search engine optimization practices we’ve got realized over time – and inside 6 months, we doubled our site visitors. Woohoo!
As quickly as we determined to not promote and eliminated our beloved web site from the itemizing platform, it was like an enormous weight was lifted. We might breathe once more.
We’re Residents of Bulgaria and Have a Base
I’m thrilled to say that in February 2023, all of our paperwork cleared and we obtained our ID playing cards. We’re formally residents of Bulgaria. We’ve transitioned from full-time digital nomads to having a house base the place we’ll journey from often 😀
The complete course of was tedious, traumatic, prolonged, tough, and stuffed with limitless quantities of paperwork, however in the long run, we succeeded and are so glad that our persistence paid off.
On this article, we listed one of our main objectives, which was to have a base the place we might reside, and do small journeys from there. A place the place we might unpack and make our personal. Someplace to have roots so we weren’t continuously transferring from place to put. Right here’s what I wrote in that article:
“Ideally, that vacation spot would have forests, mountains, seashores, and rivers. A place with tons of facilities, a neighborhood of like-minded individuals, and delightful lodging for hire (oh, and Nick says he wants there to be fly fishing).
Our good place would have a range of eating places, implausible wine, and quite a few enjoyable issues to see and do. I’d prefer it to be reasonably priced, comfy, and have vibe. It additionally must be well-connected to different elements of the world. “
Our new house in Bulgaria checks all of these containers, aside from the neighborhood half. We haven’t actually discovered that but, however to be truthful, we haven’t been attempting. We’ve had so many of our superior nomadic buddies come to go to and stick with us that we haven’t felt the necessity.
A large factor that was carrying on us over the previous few years was understanding that we couldn’t keep anyplace for greater than Three months. Notably throughout 2020/2021 when many borders had been closed and there have been many guidelines and restrictions on entry necessities.
Vacationer visas are usually legitimate for Three months, or 6 months in some instances. And all the Schengen Zone is a 3-month keep. So there was at all times this sense that we “have to go away quickly”, and we had been at all times discussing “the place ought to we go subsequent?”.
Now, we’ve got someplace we are able to keep for so long as we would like! Finishing this main life purpose has remodeled our lives and our total psychological well being and well-being.
The Year Transforms
By this level within the article, a lot has occurred and we’re solely in March of this 12 months. It’s unimaginable simply how a lot went on through the first few months of 2023. Fortunately, it was (largely) all downhill from there.
Settling In
The excellent news was we had already rented our home earlier than getting residency, so after we returned to Bulgaria from Canada, we didn’t have to seek for someplace to reside. Now that we knew we had been legally allowed to remain within the nation, we settled in and made the home extra our personal.
We made enhancements to the yard: purchased an inflatable sizzling tub, a BBQ, a fireplace pit, and a hammock, and we even planted a small backyard. Inside the house, we adorned some extra and added some private touches.
We nearly adopted a canine, rescued Three kittens from sure demise (and adopted them out), and acquired a brand new automobile as nicely – tons has occurred!
Exploring our New Residence
We first got here to Bulgaria again in 2016, so we had seen some of the nation, however there was (is) much more to discover.
We headed north to the historic metropolis of Veliko Tarnovo, taking in some of the big communist-era monuments alongside the way in which.
Subsequent, we went southwest to the mountain city (and common digital nomad metropolis in Europe), Bansko. We’d been right here earlier than, however this time, we had been assembly up with entrepreneurial buddies outdated and new.
It was such an exquisite go to with this group of like-minded individuals, and after many chats with them, it solidified to me that we made the correct resolution in holding Goats On The Highway. We additionally had another running a blog buddies come to go to us and had a good time exhibiting them round – this was a really friend-focused 12 months as nicely.
Lastly, we went northwest for a number of days of fly fishing. Other than these three longer journeys across the nation, we did many journeys about an hour from our house – hikes, fishing spots, wineries, and little cities.
Travels Overseas to Seven Nations
For us, the purpose of having a base isn’t in order that we reside there year-round. The purpose is that we are able to go on journeys and know that we’ve got someplace that we’re wanting ahead to returning to. This 12 months, we managed to journey to 7 completely different nations.
Grenada
First up was a 5-week journey to Grenada, our house away from house. As at all times, we had an unimaginable time catching up with our shut buddies, island hopping across the Grenadines, visiting Carriacou, and much of liming. My birthday was spent on a personal sundown sail, whereas the very gifted artiste and pal, Akheem, serenaded us. It was wonderful.
Our flight stopped off in England on the way in which house, so of course, we needed to meet up with our good pal and journey buddy Jason for some shenanigans round London.
Scandinavia
This is able to be our first time visiting any of the Scandinavian nations! Our shut buddies, Tom and Anna, got here to stick with us in Bulgaria for per week and after that, the 4 of us flew to Copenhagen, Denmark.
The journey was stuffed with consuming, exploring, laughing, ingesting…and witnessing the 2 of them getting married.
We fell in love with Copenhagen. The quite a few parks, colourful buildings on the water, and pleasant individuals had been some of the highlights. We additionally met up with a Danish pal of ours, Kristine, whereas we had been within the metropolis who confirmed us round.
After Copenhagen, we parted methods with our buddies and took the practice to the town of Malmö in Sweden. This scholar metropolis was rather a lot of enjoyable. Whereas we had been solely there for two days, we discovered the town very gratifying. It was picturesque, walkable, and had some nice eating places and wine bars.
From there, we continued to the capital of Sweden, Stockholm. Right here we joined a strolling tour, and explored the outdated city and some different areas – Östermalm, Södermalm and Norrmalm. We spent Three days and solely scratched the floor of this beautiful metropolis.
Greece
Whereas not a brand new nation for us, this 12 months we returned to Greece to go to a brand new island within the nation, Paros. We had been there for Tom and Anna’s second wedding ceremony! Along with 33 of their closest household and buddies, we celebrated their union.
Paros is a beautiful island and our eight days there have been spent hanging out with new buddies, wedding ceremony festivities, and exploring the island by automotive. Nick and I had Three days to ourselves earlier than anybody arrived.
We primarily based ourselves in Naousa and zipped across the island trying out completely different coves and seashores, quaint villages, bars and eating places, and coastal walks. This journey to Greece for our pal’s wedding ceremony was a particular spotlight of the 12 months.
Mexico
Nick’s dad was within the hospital, so with out hesitation, we booked a last-minute, 3-week journey to Puerto Vallarta on the finish of September.
Inside Three hours, we had deliberate, packed, and booked flights, lodging, journey insurance coverage, and a taxi to the airport. We had been on our approach: Sofia -> Frankfurt -> Mexico Metropolis -> Puerto Vallarta.
Fortunately, all the pieces is okay now and he’s recovering. However, it was an extremely traumatic time.
Romania
To spherical out our worldwide travels this 12 months, we headed on a street journey north to Romania for Nick’s birthday. Not solely had been we celebrating Nick’s special occasion, nevertheless it was on at the present time precisely 15 years in the past that we stop our jobs, bought our possessions, and headed off on our life of journey.
Romania was a brand new nation for us, and we loved our 5-day journey to Bucharest and a few surrounding areas. We ate at fabulous eating places (each conventional, and upscale), did a day journey to the Delau Mare wine area, soaked within the spectacular Therme Baths, and walked all around the metropolis. It was an important journey.
Enterprise Plans
Other than now having a house base, the opposite main transition for us this 12 months has been how we have a look at our enterprise and what we would like for it.
In phrases of site visitors to our web site, it wasn’t the place it ought to have been – the place it deserved to be after 10+ years of laborious work. The truth that we had been simply “holding it afloat”, merely wasn’t acceptable to us.
As soon as we knew in our hearts and minds that we had been holding Goats On The Highway, we went for it! We employed a big staff of professional writers on varied matters, two digital assistants, an editor, and a supervisor and we each spent much more time giving the weblog the adore it deserves.
We made build up our model and website a precedence and between the time that we deliberate to promote, and now, we had been capable of double our guests to the positioning.
However, that’s only one small half of what we did. We each needed (need) to be extra inventive and have much more of a neighborhood connection.
Nick has been working laborious on updating and creating new content material for his Running a blog Kickstarter Course and his Superior search engine optimization Made Easy course as nicely. He’s additionally been attempting to construct up our YouTube channel once more.
I’ve been managing our superior staff behind the scenes, but additionally sharing much more on social media and brainstorming our subsequent enterprise for the brand new 12 months.
We’re placing a give attention to our neighborhood (that’s you!), and are engaged on a program to assist digital nomads and aspiring digital nomads discover methods to generate profits on-line, spend much less whereas build up their companies, and reside and journey overseas.
We’re very enthusiastic about this…keep tuned! And, if it’s a program that you just suppose you’d be considering, ship us an electronic mail and tell us what you’d wish to study in regards to the location-independent life-style.
Targets and Ideas for 2024
Heading into the brand new 12 months, there are a number of major objectives and issues that we need to accomplish.
Investing in Ourselves
By this I imply, investing in methods to enhance ourselves – mentally, bodily, and business-wise. We’ve taken the primary steps even earlier than the brand new 12 months has arrived, and we’re presently concerned in a training course to learn the way we are able to create the perfect provide for our college students, and be the perfect coaches and mentors doable.
I’ve additionally signed us up for Bulgarian language classes (want us luck!), and there are a number of attention-grabbing conferences that we’re planning on attending within the 12 months. We need to proceed to develop and evolve, and never be afraid to spend cash on issues that may assist us do this.
Touring to New Nations
This previous 12 months, we solely visited three new nations and the others had been repeats. This 12 months, whereas we do have a pair of repeat favorites deliberate, the purpose is to go to some new locations to see attention-grabbing cultures and sights, and to have some memorable experiences.
Well being & Wellness
Since I didn’t do the 2022 roundup put up, you didn’t examine us dropping rather a lot of weight – Nick dropped 40 kilos, and I misplaced 20 kilos. We bought impressed by the 4-hour physique by Tim Ferris and after dropping the burden, we began to work out with weights and HIIT applications.
I’m proud to say we’ve maintained our weight for greater than a 12 months now and can proceed specializing in our bodily well being as we head into 2024.
Shopping for a Property
It is a bit of a lofty purpose, however not out of attain. The primary factor is that we’re unsure precisely the place to buy the property and whether or not it’ll be an funding property or our main residence.
Because of Our Tribe
As at all times, however much more so this 12 months, we need to thanks for being an element of our tribe. In case you don’t know, a gaggle of goats is commonly referred to as a tribe 🐐 – how good is that?! (They’re additionally referred to as a “herd” however that’s not almost as cool)
As we’ve transitioned our lives from full-time digital nomads to having a house base, we’re feeling much less pressured and extra impressed and succesful of creating impactful content material for you. This 12 months you possibly can anticipate tons of thrilling issues from us!
Our enterprise goes to be branching off in numerous instructions to be extra of a neighborhood – we need to work extra carefully with the individuals who learn this weblog and observe us on social media and who’ve desires of a affluent, digitally nomadic future.
If you happen to haven’t already, be sure that to subscribe to our electronic mail checklist, Instagram, YouTube, and Fb.
Wishing you a contented and wholesome 12 months forward.
Dariece & Nick (the “Goats”)