Am posting this in December 2025 because I was going through some old reflections and was looking for my 2022 personal posts, only to find I had written some in this post, but I missed out some on Instagram.
Yet with the unpredictability of social media, AKA Instagram, I figured I'd better share some of my super-rare in-the-moment musings of 2020 on here before it's forgotten with time.
You know me, I'm a sucker for memories.
2022, 20 countries.
Here's my 2022 list – what was yours?
1 Peru
2 Dominican Republic
3 Costa Rica
4 Panama, Bocas Del Toro
5 Guatemala with @guatego @journeywonders
6 Mexico
7 Bulgaria with @banskonomadfest
8 Croatia
9 Slovenia
10 Greece
11 Albania
12 France, Corsica with @mike.karas
13 Czech Republic with @traverseevents @visitcentralbohemia
14 Switzerland with @coliving.frilingue
15 Italy, Aosta
16 Poland
17 England, London
18 Thailand, Phuket with @tbexevents
19 Indonesia, Bali
20 Singapore
Wasn't intended, and honestly burnt out from travelling. I'd much prefer the slower pandemic pace of life in 2021 where I only did holiday travel (aka exploring and not working) for 78 days out of the whole year, versus the 89 days of holiday travel in 2022 that I'd already done in the first 6 months. I lost track after that.
Some core 2022 memories include waking up in this cabin with a view of the thick forest of Costa Rica:
Experiencing my first full moon Kriya yoga in Ubud with Kate:
When I gave myself a big hug for myself, I realise how much I've been pushing myself, to be better, stronger, more. More independent. More financially successful. More work. More connections. More opportunities. More places.
What I didn't realise was how unkind I was to my body.
And it's finally found a way to get back at me. In the form of an injury. A nagging one that reminds me with every step. Every time I cross my leg.
As we release in the form of intense exhales and our bodies connect with Mother Earth, this intensity started rising up my body. It came through in the form of tears.
I'd never felt so strongly about this anguish I have toward myself. This was catharsis at its pinnacle.
Still not over 2022… so many incredible experiences. Including:
🌙 Getting 4 new tattoos
🌙 Living on a catamaran
🌙 Realising my fav animal is the sloth
🌙 Not enjoying Europe in summer
🌙 Living my 🐱 mum dream
🌙 Roller skating for the first time
🌙 Started thinking about opening my own bikini line
Where will 2023 take us next? 🌞
20 lessons from 2022
1. You are what you think you are. A speaker? Own it! Not good enough? Then maybe you'll never be.
2. You've come further than the vast majority of people. Celebrate yourself!
3. Thoughts will only ever exist in your mind. Take action and be it.
4. Do good and good will come.
5. Be positive. Negativity only eats you from the inside.
6. Be open to the universe. Say yes and opportunities will come, when the time is right.
7. Don't fear being yourself in order to fit in. Be you and the right people will fall right into your lap. It'll feel as if you've known each other forever.
8. FOMO is overrated. JOMO.
9. Surround yourself with beautiful people who speak kind words and lift you up. You deserve nothing less.
10. It's not about chasing $. It's about chasing fulfilment. It's about going after what you want, that at the end of the day, you'll go to bed with a smile on your exhausted face knowing your mind, heart and actions are aligned.
11. It's also about becoming a better person than you were yesterday.
12. You don't have 24 hours a day. Are you going to spend it watching Netflix? Or doing something that makes you closer to what you want to be/ accomplish? How will you make it count?
13. You are what you say. Watch your words, observe your language. You embody everything you put out – kindness, negativity, fear or otherwise.
14. There's beauty in EVERYTHING. What you find repulsive may be treated by others as a rare gem, so be kind and see the beauty in everything.
15. Self-worth, self-love. Are you able to look in the mirror and say “damn girl, you're rocking it! I love who I am!”
16. You don't have to please everyone.
17. Nothing changes if nothing changes. If you want to create change in your life, you have to be the change
18.You stop growing when you stop learning. Self-growth is a lifelong journey.
19. The single most effective way to connect with anyone, anyone, is by listening actively. Listening as if everyone has something to offer you, not listening while trying to formulate a response.
20. Only put yourself around positive ppl who speak kind words and lift you up. You deserve nothing less.
Make the most of your digital nomad lifestyle by doing this
I've been on the road full-time for 4.5 years, but this is truly the first time I've let myself immerse in the “digital nomad community”. I get why people do it now; you find a home amongst the “homeless”, a refuge from the constant journey. 🏡
Since being here for close to a month, here are some digital nomad tips and takeaways if you're new to this whole remote work life or aspiring to be location-independent:
– Stay for a minimum of 1 month, and leave time for up to 3 months or even more.
– Rent apartments instead of staying in hotels. Look for a place that has a kitchen.
– Join digital nomad/ expat groups in the area to familiarise yourself with the ins and outs.
– Join a coworking/ coliving space to get instant friends.
– Speak to people. Everyone has something unique to offer even if they might not seem immediately relevant.
– Say YES more often.
– It's okay not to know everything.
If there's one important investment I've made in my life, it's investing time in myself.
Taking time out for myself to pay attention to my health and wellness, and setting my mindset straight and really listening to what my gut wants.
A lot of the time, our decisions are led by social obligations or external circumstances that it can sometimes drown out the voice inside of ourselves.
I noticed that when I'm back home in Singapore, when I'm making decisions, sometimes it's based on the consideration of others more than myself (partly also because we're brought up in a society of other-centeredness).
Versus when I'm on a plane or in the countryside or in the wilderness or watching the sun set over the ocean, there are no distractions. The pace of life and living is slower.
And I can actually hear myself think. That's when I realise that I have another side of me that's been subconsciously suppressed. One that is totally independent from what I'd normally do when I'm back home in Singapore.
It's when I get clear on my personal goals and aspirations and life direction.
If you're feeling unhappy or unfulfilled or restless, I encourage you to try and take a morning/ evening out to someplace quiet.
Be at peace and in silence with yourself, tune out your environment, and let your thoughts ricochet in your mind.
You'll be surprised by what you may uncover about yourself. 😌
The 4 months of being unfairly banned on IG/ social media detox has given me clarity on what I should be focusing on. And while this is a transitioning phase to where Bel Around The World is headed, here's a quick summary of what's been happening lately:
☀️Spending more time with people who nourish my soul & activities that fuel me (surfing, sunsets, work)
☀️Self-care (essential oils, palo santo incense, teas, juice cleanse, massages)
☀️Honing my inner voice (deep meaningful phone call chats with friends in the Philippines, Australia, Bulgaria, journaling, meditating)
☀️Refocusing away my energies on what drains me (non-respecting people, social media, mindless Netflix)
☀️Knowing that following my intuition is what I'm meant for
☀️Taking it easy on myself and being ok with going with the flow
☀️Appreciating the finer details, getting inspired by life
☀️Being open to receiving and sharing abundance
Over the many months of living abroad, there are a few things I've fantasized about…
❌ It's not crossing the Atlantic on a boat.
❌ It's not finding Prince Charming in the pyramids of Egypt.
❌ It's not crossing off more destinations.
✔️ It's tasting Singapore food (not gonna lie).
✔️ It's journeying with a badass boss babe biz partner to dream big dreams together.
✔️ It's the thought of taking my parents on a trip, showing them the new ‘slow travel‘ way.
Why I'm opting for less sponsored travel and doing more self-funded travel:
🌴 Freedom
🌴 Flexibility
🌴 Spontaneity
🌴 Local, lesser-known spots
🌴 & ironically, more income. By writing more value-packed content rather than content that satisfies a sponsor's KPI, I drive more traffic, which in turn brings me more recurring income!
That's not to say you won't see sponsored travel here and there, though. I still love supporting local tourism and will always choose to showcase local companies that have the same fervour for showing the country's best from a local point of view, as I do.
I love to still be showing the ease and accessibility of travel esp in Central and South America, where it's less commonly visited, and I'm fortunate to partner with companies that walk the talk!
Affirmations
I live my life with joy and confidence.
I always listen to my inner feelings, and I will express them when I need to.
I am creative and also unlimited.
I receive and give openly and freely.
I am confident with my sexuality.
I have the power within me to attract the things which I want.
This is the beginning of the best year yet (2023).
I'm ready for a beautiful year filled with joy, abundance and love.
I'm ready to create a successful and fulfilling life I want.
I'm strong, capable and worthy of creating the life I want.
I'm becoming the best version of myself
I love and embrace myself for who I am.
