As I sit down to pen down my thoughts on the last year, I can't help but marvel at the whirlwind of moments that made up 2023. Adventure and boundary-pushing would definitely be the words that sum up my 2023.
A Year of Unforgettable Moments:
Travel Tales: It was a year of travel and discovering new places.
New Orleans was my first time on the US mainland, and what an introduction! This crazy city is very me. And going to Jazz Fest with my cousin is a highlight of my year. And to, unexpectedly, be able to share my first few days there with a friend made it even better.
I then headed to New York for a week—yes, a week! I helped make a YouTube video, had a Skal lunch, attended a travel trade show, and made fabulous connections.
The kids weren’t forgotten. We went to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Yorke Peninsula and a few trips in Frankie (www.frankiewho.com.au). I love giving them the experience of travel—even if they do leave me wondering with frustration, why sometimes.
I also took many trips to Melbourne and Sydney, mainly for work. However, on one trip, I had a very special few days on a friend’s boat, sailing around Sydney Harbour. If you get the chance to do this, do it. Sydney is incredibly amazing from the water.
Each place left its imprint on my soul, and I can't wait to add more pins to my map in 2024.
Career Growth: The most significant and most exciting part. I hired Jeash; he is helping me with my retouching, video editing, social media, and stock keywording. He’s freeing my time so I can concentrate on the things I love - photographing and meeting with you!
I’ve continued to work with Tourism Australia, various accommodations, councils, government departments, and food businesses. Two successful tours through the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island were completed. I’ve loved working every quarter with Foodland, photographing their recipes for the Mighty magazine.
I’ve connected with people in Australia to New York. Watch this space.
2023 was full of networking opportunities and exploring different avenues. 2024 will continue but with more focus. I want to continue to inspire people to travel - with clients all around the world.
More Faces of La Bomba is another mammoth project that raised much-needed funds for my Hands Across the Water bike ride in April 2024. This project saw me photographing dancers in a place they feel ‘at home’, a place they love. I had a beautiful launch party and exhibited at Cue Bar in Norwood, followed by a hanging at La Bomba Studio in Findon.
Personal Growth: I finally started seeing myself as others see me (current-day Heidi) rather than as little Heidi. This process started when I attended Tony Robbins's event, Unleash the Power Within, where I walked on glowing, hot coal, and continued at our final Business Blueprint conference, where I broke wood with my hand.
Plans for 2024:
More Adventures Await: Thailand, the Philippines, and a surf trip in Sri Lanka are all on the cards. Add in a Frankie road trip or two and a sailing holiday. Life is for living.
Professional Prowess: Career-wise, I've set my sights on expanding into new markets outside of SA and Australia. It's time to inspire more people through discovery, travel, and living their best lives. I’ll be growing my stock photo site and offering social photos to help businesses showcase their unique destinations also.
More tours will be scheduled through all SA regions in 2024, working with the RTO and operators.
Wellness Wonderland: Health and wellness are big in 2024. More meditation, journaling, and slow days. Maybe even a health retreat, and definitely more time for surfing and dancing—my moving meditations.
Bucket List items to tick: I’m going to learn some Spanish! I speak Brazilian Portuguese (or, at least, I used to), so Spanish is a great following language. Maybe I’ll finally be able to understand more of the lyrics to what I’m dancing to. Also on the agenda are skydiving, playing golf, and relaxing on a sailing holiday.
As the clock ticks over to 2024, I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the cherished moments, and the people who made it all worthwhile. Here's to bidding adieu to the old and welcoming the new with open arms. 2024, I'm ready for you; let's make it a year to remember!