Chasing Waterfalls in 2017 and Beyond: This Year in Review

I suppose it’s time I looked back over the year that was 2017. It was only after various people started posting Instagram photos with the places they had been and the things they’d accomplished that I started to think about my own achievements. To be honest, my first reaction was “Oh well I haven’t really done heaps, or anything like that.” But the more I thought, the more I realised just how much I actually have done, and just how much can happen in a year.

I kicked off 2017 by picking up my things and moving across the Nullarbor to Melbourne, Victoria. That might not sound like such a big deal, but it was my first time living out of home, away from family and the friends I’d known my entire life. While scary at first, nothing could have been more perfect for me. It ignited my sense of independence, the allure of adventure and getting outside to experience things (as opposed to sitting inside binge-watching Netflix, but we’ve all been there).

I also began my masters in Marketing Communications at the University of Melbourne, scored a job as a Social Media and Content Executive at a digital marketing agency – and things didn’t slow down from there.  Chasing waterfalls was truly born this year, as my Instagram grew and I met more and more like-minded people through this wonderful platform. I got out and about around Melbourne, visiting the Dandenong Ranges and regional suburbs to add to my collection.   

June brought my first ‘Chasing Waterfalls’ trip to Tasmania, where I scouted out over ten different waterfalls in under a week, making new friends along the way and rediscovering my passion for photography. I then managed to make it back down the Great Ocean Road in Lorne in September and hiked my ass off to fifteen waterfalls in a mere four days (blog posts STILL in the works, sorry guys). Shove in three short trips to Perth, my first time seeing snow up at Mt Buller, a week-long waterfall chasing expedition in Bali and a fleeting visit to my favourite South-West region of Western Australia, and it’s been a whirlwind of a year. Not to mention revamping my blog to make it into what it is today.  

So what’s to come for Annabel Claire in 2018 and beyond? Well, I’m glad you asked.

New Year’s resolutions aren’t really for me – I love them in theory, but who really sticks to them? And besides, I can set goals at any point in time, and I have done all throughout 2017. Nonetheless, the end of a year and beginning of a new one is a good time to plan ahead, I suppose.

So in 2018, I’m completing the last year of my masters, which involves a marketing internship in Melbourne. I’m also hoping to make a trip up to Cairns in June/July (particularly to find Milla Milla Falls and the like, but also to experience the beautiful beaches up there in the tropics). A trip to Sydney is also on the cards, hopefully involving the Blue Mountains and a road trip to Wollongong. Pending funds, I’d love to venture out to Warnambool, Victoria to see a few falls around there also.  

My ultimate goal is to make it to Iceland in early 2019, which means that saving money throughout 2018 is a high priority (I will accept donations in the form of cash, cheques and bank transfers if you’re feeling generous! Har har). But seriously, Iceland is my absolute dream – so here’s hoping I can sell some photography prints in 2018 and hone my skills in that regard.

More than anything, I hope I continue to be happy, learn not to sweat the small stuff, get outside and have a blast and meet many more amazing travelers and people throughout the never-ending “chasing waterfalls” journey that is my life.

Lastly, I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!

Here’s to what 2017 was and what 2018 may bring.

Xo xo,

Annabel  

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3 comments
  1. I love reading about everyones yearly recaps! Goes to show how much can happen in a year! Cant wait to see what adventures 2018 brings for you!

    1. Yes me too! It definitely does. Thanks so much girly – same to you xx

  2. Perfectly indited content material, Really enjoyed looking at.

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