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January 1, 2012

20 Lessons from 2011

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Resolutions for the New Year? I have none. But I do have lessons from last year that I am carrying over to this one. If I must resolve to anything, it would be to not forget them and remember them as I venture into what I expect to be an exciting time for me and my family.

Time has a way of passing by so quickly. It’s so easy to forget so it’s important for me to write them down.

Most memorable lessons from 2011 for me are:

  1. I learned to better reject negativity and embrace love.
  2. I learned that opportunities are never really lost and that a “good” opportunity is relevant.
  3. I learned the value of quality in friendships and that quantity has very little to do with it.
  4. I learned to accept that I am not a follower – I learned there’s nothing wrong with that.
  5. I learned to ignore the chatter and trust my gut. Some of my best decisions came about this way.
  6. I learned that I can develop a better opinion about places, people, and things when I shut up about my own, shut out other people’s and just observe and listen.
  7. I learned that I don’t always have to share my opinion…no matter how strongly I feel it.
  8. I learned that I really love living in New Jersey (and that it doesn’t suddenly make me a NOT New Yorker) and that where I live is faster to get to than most boroughs of NY and yet still it terrifies people – I learned that those people are stupid.
  9. I learned to respond to the question “Are you going to be NJ City Mama now?” without throwing death darts from my eyes.
  10. I learned to laugh about it.
  11. I learned to take breaks and disconnect – I learned that I really, really love that.
  12. I learned that even some of the most well-read blogger have no clue and even not really all that liked, but no one will tell them. (I would, but see lesson #7).
  13. I learned that the least read blogger is usually the most interesting overall.
  14. I learned to eat smaller meals throughout the day and drink more water.
  15. I learned to tell my family and friends that I love them more.
  16. I learned that I hate attending conferences – I learned there’s nothing wrong with that.
  17. I learned the importance of flossing…after I learned I had the first cavity in my life.
  18. I learned that I really love being in a space where no one blogs or uses Twitter, at times more than I love being in the space with people who do.
  19. I learned that I am lucky in so many ways. This lesson keeps me grounded and grateful on a daily basis.
  20. I learned that even at this age I still have so much to learn.

Happy New Year!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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6 Comments
  • Alma Pacheco
    January 1, 2012

    Carol,

    This is a great list of all the things you've learned. The NJ comment made me laugh. Congrats on getting voted in the 100 mom blog, that is a great honor. You were the first blog I started following. I found you on Twitter. It open a whole new world for me. Now i have started one on my own. I recently lost my job and found more time to spend with my kids and alone. I started it less than a month and i realized i have a lot to learn. I hope to write a list like this this time next year. You are a great writer and have a beautiful family. Feliz Año Nuevo!!!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    That's wonderful Alma! Congrats on starting your blog, will definitely check it out. Thank you so much for your kind words and continued readership and support : ) Happy New Year to you as well!

    Reply
  • Elisa
    January 1, 2012

    Much as it happened every time we had conversations in real life (man, do I miss you!), this post made me nod, and smile, and sometimes laugh out loud (#12? True story :-)). Those are fabulous lessons, most of which I am still working on, myself 😉

    Happy New year, Bella! May this be the year that I manage to fly to NY and hopefully enjoy the pleasure of your company again!!

    Reply
  • cancan
    January 1, 2012

    thank you for being completely who you are this year.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    Thank you Elisa!!! I hope you do make it to this side of the world this year! Fingers and toes crossed : )

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    Big hugs and love to you Cancan! xoxoxo

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answ I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answer is all the time, but not really, but also yes, but kinda…depends. 

I think living in a slower paced environment has been good for me. Healthy and challenging in different ways. I sometimes get restless, but often need rest too. I love the space both environmently and in time to be creative. And I love that if I ever do get too restless, I am not far from Rochester (a city I’ve grown to love) or NYC. 

But I also love that when I feel any sense of anxiety, I can step outside, be surrounded by nature, and come back home a little more healed. Life is unpredictable, but during my era of slow living, I want to make sure to appreciate and enjoy all it offers.

#fingerlakes #newyork #slowliving #citygirlinthecountry
As we daydream of cozy winery settings sipping on As we daydream of cozy winery settings sipping on the best of harvest past, the work is already ongoing to prep for future success that elevates us among the best wine region in the country. So grateful for our community of immigrant laborers and farmers.
Twenty two years seems WILD. I still remember our Twenty two years seems WILD. I still remember our first date, and here we are a gazillion adventures and so many kids later, and over two decades together. 

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have met the most patient and kindest human around, and that he would end up being my person and best friend just feels, still, surreal and lucky. 

Happy anniversary, @travisjcain. I will try my hardest to make this year less chaotic and a bit more chill….but then again, you did decide to marry a Sagittarius, so it’s kind of on you. 🤣 Love you to infinity.
Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy anot Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy another snowy day in the Finger Lakes. 

Personally, I am ready to hibernate for a bit and enjoy a book or two by the fire while the sounds of my guys fills our home. 

I am in no rush to start the new year but am also excited to get started. I want a year filled with more time with friends, and pursuing projects that I am really inspired by and to be surrounded by inspiring people. I expect to say no a lot this year, after so many years of saying yes and regretting it. I want days that feel happy and healthy and fulfilling. 

Not too much to ask, right? And I wish you all a happy and healthy year too. May you love and be loved in all the ways you deserve and need. ❤️

Thanks for the follow, the support, the DMs and comments, and kindness expressed and shared.
This time of year is a joyous one but it can also This time of year is a joyous one but it can also be terribly overwhelming and draining. 

As someone managing two small businesses and all that life throws my way, I felt I needed a little escape, and Rochester always delivers!

We booked a hotel room, hit up all of our favorite spots, and a couple of new ones. On the list of musts:

📍Highland Park Diner- a must for a hearty breakfast to start the day. Best on weekdays for no crowds. 
📍Siren and the Sea - new cafe bookstore full of good reads, cozy vibes, and yummy drinks
📍Happy Earth Tea - where I picked up some delicious chai and matcha (also a sweet little yap spot with friends). 
📍Lamberton Conservatory - especially this time of year as it’s decorated for the holidays. Was a lovely spot to sit on a bench and zen out for a bit.
📍Winter Swan Coffee - afternoon cafecito, gift and plant shopping
📍Ugly Duck Coffee - the main reason we were inspired to come to Rochester on this specific day, for their Industry Night, where we nerded out about coffee “and beyond”. Of course we went back the next morning for coffee!
📍Rochester Public Market - for some evening holiday market strolling and hellos to our friends Sylvan Farm and Cidery who were working the market!
📍Lucky’s for dinner - yummy, but man oh man do I miss their onion rings!

Absolutely love this city for it’s ability to make me feel happier and lighter. Happy place 🫶🏾.
I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my travels. Some of my absolute favorites have been on a beach in Mazatlán, Mexico, behind The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, while sitting on a fisherman’s dock in Seoul, South Korea, along the rugged seashore of La Perla, Puerto Rico, and here in the Finger Lakes. Not an exaggeration. The sunsets here are stunning. Breathtaking even. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #sunsethour

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