It feels so good to come on here and officially say Merry Christmas. Christmas has always been my favourite holiday — a time to unplug from work, connect with family and friends, squeeze in a trip, and celebrate life and all those we love. Despite the very unexpected circumstances, I hope you’re doing as well as you can and you’re able to take time this holiday season to relax and recharge.
If you had asked me before March what I was looking forward to this year, I can guarantee it wasn’t planning to spend Christmas (and every other holiday) meeting with family 6+ feet apart, working from home full-time, limiting almost all of my social contacts, or stacking up concert refunds and flight credits. But 2020 — the long-awaited start of a new decade — decided it really wanted to make some noise and throw us all a curveball. We definitely heard you, 2020 — but I, for one, am very much ready for another fresh start.
Thankfully, we only have to live through one more week of “unprecedented-ness” before we can welcome in 2021, equipped with an agile mindset, pandemic-proof skill set and realistic resolutions. Here’s a preview of what I’ll be up to until then…
Writing, writing and more writing!
I plan to take full advantage of the holiday lockdown to draft up new content for the blog, including:
- A wrap-up of one of my favourite — and only — trips from the year (The Great Mini-Canadian Road Trip),
- An exposé of my Spotify Wrapped playlist to determine, once and for all, my favourite music releases of 2020, and
- An inside look at my best (and worst?) celeb encounters of the year, both virtually and in person (remember those days?!)
Planning exciting features
The planner in me truly thrives every December as I whip out my pen and paper and strategize for the new year.
I loved starting my Take 5 interview series this year and publishing conversations with uber-talented musicians Reuben James and Michelle Treacy. With the goal of introducing (at least!) one influential and incredible human to you each month, I’m happy to tease that I already have several great names lined up for 2021. Get ready to do plenty of reflection, learning, listening and more. 😊
Know an inspiring or up-and-coming individual I should Take 5 with? Let me know in the comments below — or tweet me @angelamcleanx!
I will also be continuing my follower-favourite #NewMusicFriday shares every Friday at 12AM EST on my Instagram Stories (see my NMF highlights)! One of my proudest moments of 2020 was opening so many of you up to new artists and songs each week. Feel free to slide into my DMs with your most anticipated new releases so I can bump them to the top of my listening queue.
An additional teaser: I highly suggest you follow @vitaminwanderlust on Instagram. Fun things will be flying to your feed soon… ✈️
Giving back (to you!)
In case you missed it, I’m currently running a worldwide giveaway on Instagram for a sweet prize that is sure to help you through your toughest, longest days. I’m talking Starbucks coffee (my not-so-guilty pleasure!).
Head over to my Instagram by today (Dec. 25) for your final chance at a $20 CAD gift card! BONUS: As a thank you for reading my blog, comment your Instagram username below after you’ve entered on Instagram for an additional entry!
Looking forward to doing more contests and surprise giveaways in 2021. Be sure to have my notifications on!
Thank you for all of your support and readership this year! I seriously couldn’t do this without each one of you.
If you ever have any content ideas or suggestions, send me a note.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays xx
