It’s that point of yr! A time once we sit again and mirror on the previous three hundred and sixty five days. I’ve been writing these “Trying Again” posts since 2012 and I’m unhappy to say that for numerous causes (a few of which you’ll examine right here), I missed writing about 2022.
Most of 2022 was superb and we had some very memorable moments – like celebrating our fifteenth anniversary collectively in Cyprus, an epic press trip to the Bahamas, residing and touring round Slovakia for nearly 3 months, and spending Christmas in Canada with our households.
Nevertheless, the tip of 2022 and into the primary few months of 2023 had been very rocky instances and we discovered ourselves flailing. Fortunately, the tumultuous begin didn’t final, and we transitioned our yr from questionable to superior!
Annually has a sense or theme, and for us, the phrase that involves thoughts for 2023 is transition and transformation: of who we’re, what we do, and the life we lead.
On this put up, I’ll begin with the craziness. Although it was so messy at first, this was a incredible yr general, and I’m excited to share our wins and failures with you on this put up.
If you wish to learn our earlier yr’s roundups, take a look at 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
Flailing into 2023
For a lot of 2022, we had been engaged on the paperwork wanted to acquire residency in Bulgaria (extra about residing in Bulgaria beneath).
It’s a really lengthy story, however after months and months of gathering the (many) paperwork required to use for residency, our lawyer referred to as.
It was Friday night and we had been sitting on our sofa in the home we rented in Bulgaria. He was calling to tell us that we had 5 days to go to the Bulgarian consulate in Canada and apply for the long-stay visa, in any other case one in all our paperwork would expire.
We knew we needed to go to Canada ultimately, however we should always’ve nonetheless had months earlier than we would have liked to use. How may this be taking place?!
Since every little thing took so lengthy to do (appointments, gathering paperwork, notarizing/apostelling, and so forth.), the validity of one of many preliminary paperwork we had procured from our dwelling nation of Canada was about to run out.
If that doc expired, we wouldn’t be capable to apply for the long-stay visa, and in the end, residency in Bulgaria. All of our onerous work would have been for nothing.
Our lawyer referred to as us on November thirteenth and by November fifteenth we had been on a aircraft from Bulgaria to Canada – essentially the most direct and solely affordable flight possibility for an entire week. If one thing went unsuitable or we missed our connecting flight in Poland, we wouldn’t make it on time. There was a number of strain on that flight!
Fortunately, we made it and on the morning of November seventeenth, we went to the Bulgarian consulate in Toronto with all of our paperwork to use for our long-stay D-Visa.
We utilized on the final day it will have been potential. The Bulgarian consular basic even instructed us so with a humorous smile as we handed him our paperwork.
Now all we needed to do was wait and hope we’d be authorized. The consulate mentioned it will take round 5 weeks for the visa to be authorized (or denied).
Spending the Holidays in Canada
Since we had been already in Canada (thoughts you, on the opposite aspect of the nation from our households), we determined to spend Christmas and New Yr’s with our mother and father, siblings, and kinfolk. Quite than ready round in Toronto for five weeks for the paperwork to return again, this seemed like a way more pleasurable concept.
It was the primary time we’d spent Christmas at dwelling since 2013.
It was chilly, snowy, and oh-so festive! We went ice skating and tubing on the ski hill. We danced and mingled at three Christmas events. Nick went looking together with his brother, we went for snowy hikes and bowling with household, and we laughed, ate, and drank an excessive amount of!
We rang within the new yr with my household and celebrated Nick’s grandma’s eightieth birthday per week later with family members. It was an important go to again dwelling and a very good approach to begin 2023.
Originally of January, we heard again from the Bulgarian embassy and our visas had been prepared for pick-up in Toronto. We acquired our long-stay visa for Bulgaria! This was step one to acquiring residency, with extra to comply with as soon as we returned to Bulgaria.
Although we had been so relieved the celebs aligned and every little thing was authorized, we had one thing at the back of our minds…
The Rocky Begin to the Yr
That is tough to write down, and we haven’t shared this publicly but. However, on the finish of 2022 and into March of 2023, we had been contemplating promoting Goats On The Street (I do know, I can’t imagine it both).
We had been feeling off and in a inventive droop (which began through the pandemic), and with all the new developments round AI, we had been feeling deflated and as if we in all probability wouldn’t have a enterprise for for much longer.
We had been being very “doom and gloom” and (because it seems) overreacting about the entire thing. On the time, nevertheless, we thought we should always exit our enterprise and transfer on whereas we may.
We deliberate to promote simply the web site itself, with out our social media accounts and Nick’s blogging programs. I wished to maintain our reference to our readers on social media, and Nick wished to proceed instructing his students. Two elements of our weblog that we each adore.
We had no concept what we’d do for a job and earnings going ahead, however for no matter cause, on the time it felt like the correct factor to do.
Goats On The Street had been our life for 10 years. This was an extremely onerous determination to make and I used to be actually crying once we pressed the “submit” button on the promoting platform.
Had been we making the correct determination?
We listed our web site at a excessive value and we acquired a number of curiosity. We ended up doing 5 severe calls with enterprise capitalist corporations who had been excited by buying our web site and including it to their portfolio.
Of these 5 calls, we acquired 3 official provides. Financially, they had been glorious, life-changing provides. However, the phrases of the agreements didn’t sit proper with us and we declined all of them.
Throughout all the supply calls, we needed to checklist the superb elements of Goats On The Street to those patrons, together with viewers engagement, earnings, analytics, model power, and potential for the web site. What in the end occurred throughout these calls was that we bought our web site again to ourselves.
This complete course of reminded us of why we love Goats On The Street and it gave us an enormous push to maintain shifting ahead and ignited a spark inside us. We had a lot readability on what we wished to do going ahead with our enterprise!
We determined that we had been going to maintain our web site and we doubled down on it, investing our time, vitality, and love, implementing all of the best SEO practices we have learned over the years – and inside 6 months, we doubled our site visitors. Woohoo!
As quickly as we determined to not promote and eliminated our beloved web site from the itemizing platform, it was like an enormous weight was lifted. We may breathe once more.
We’re Residents of Bulgaria and Have a Base
I’m thrilled to say that in February 2023, all of our paperwork cleared and we acquired our ID playing cards. We’re formally residents of Bulgaria. We’ve transitioned from full-time digital nomads to having a house base the place we’ll journey from ceaselessly 😀
Your entire course of was tedious, nerve-racking, prolonged, tough, and crammed with infinite quantities of paperwork, however ultimately, we succeeded and are so comfortable that our persistence paid off!
In this article, we listed one in all our main objectives, which was to have a base the place we may stay, and do small journeys from there. A spot the place we may unpack and make our personal. Someplace to have roots so we weren’t continually shifting from place to position. Right here’s what I wrote in that article:
“Ideally, that vacation spot would have forests, mountains, seashores, and rivers. A spot with a number of facilities, a neighborhood of like-minded individuals, and delightful lodging for lease (oh, and Nick says he wants there to be fly fishing).
Our good place would have quite a lot of eating places, incredible wine, and quite a few enjoyable issues to see and do. I’d prefer it to be reasonably priced, comfy, and have an excellent vibe. It additionally must be well-connected to different components of the world. “
Our new dwelling in Bulgaria checks all of these packing containers, apart from the neighborhood half. We haven’t actually discovered that but, however to be honest, we haven’t been attempting. We’ve had so a lot of our superior nomadic pals come to go to and stick with us that we haven’t felt the necessity.
An enormous factor that was sporting on us over the previous few years was understanding that we couldn’t keep wherever for greater than 3 months. Significantly throughout 2020/2021 when many borders had been closed and there have been many guidelines and restrictions on entry necessities.
Vacationer visas are sometimes legitimate for 3 months, or 6 months in some circumstances. And your complete Schengen Zone is a 3-month keep. So there was all the time this sense that we “have to depart quickly”, and we had been all the time discussing “the place ought to we go subsequent?”.
Now, we’ve someplace we will keep for so long as we would like! Finishing this main life purpose has reworked our lives and our general psychological well being and well-being.
The Yr Transforms!
By this level within the article, a lot has occurred and we’re solely in March of this yr. It’s unimaginable simply how a lot went on through the first few months of 2023. Fortunately, it was (principally) all downhill from there.
Settling In
The excellent news was we had already rented our home earlier than getting residency, so once we returned to Bulgaria from Canada, we didn’t have to seek for someplace to stay. Now that we knew we had been legally allowed to remain within the nation, we settled in and made the home extra our personal.
We made enhancements to the yard: purchased an inflatable scorching tub, a BBQ, a fireplace pit, and a hammock, and we even planted a small backyard. Inside the house, we embellished some extra and added some private touches.
We virtually adopted a canine, rescued 3 kittens from sure loss of life (and adopted them out), and purchased a brand new automobile as properly – heaps has occurred!
Exploring our New Dwelling
We first got here to Bulgaria again in 2016, so we had seen a number of the nation, however there was (is) much more to discover.
We headed north to the historic metropolis of Veliko Tarnovo, taking in a number of the monumental communist-era monuments alongside the best way.
Subsequent, we went southwest to the mountain city (and well-liked digital nomad city in Europe), Bansko. We’d been right here earlier than, however this time, we had been assembly up with entrepreneurial pals outdated and new.
It was such an exquisite go to with this group of like-minded individuals, and after many chats with them, it solidified to me that we made the correct determination in holding Goats On The Street. We additionally had another running a blog pals come to go to us and had a good time exhibiting them round – this was a really friend-focused yr as properly!
Lastly, we went northwest for just a few days of fly fishing. Aside from these three longer journeys across the nation, we did many journeys about an hour from our dwelling – hikes, fishing spots, wineries, and little cities.
Travels Overseas to Seven Nations
For us, the purpose of getting a base isn’t in order that we stay there year-round. The purpose is that we will go on journeys and know that we’ve someplace that we’re wanting ahead to returning to. This yr, we managed to journey to 7 completely different nations.
Grenada
First up was a 5-week journey to Grenada, our dwelling away from dwelling. As all the time, we had an unimaginable time catching up with our shut pals, island hopping across the Grenadines, visiting Carriacou, and many liming. My birthday was spent on a personal sundown sail, whereas the very proficient artiste and pal, Akheem, serenaded us. It was superb.
Our flight stopped off in England on the best way dwelling, so in fact, we needed to meet up with our good pal and journey buddy Jason for some shenanigans round London.
Scandinavia
This could be our first time visiting any of the Scandinavian nations! Our shut pals, Tom and Anna, got here to stick with us in Bulgaria for per week and after that, the 4 of us flew to Copenhagen, Denmark.
The journey was crammed with consuming, exploring, laughing, ingesting…and witnessing the 2 of them getting married.
We fell in love with Copenhagen. The quite a few parks, colourful buildings on the water, and pleasant individuals had been a number of the highlights. We additionally met up with a Danish pal of ours, Kristine, whereas we had been within the metropolis who confirmed us round!
After Copenhagen, we parted methods with our pals and took the practice to town of Malmö in Sweden. This scholar metropolis was a number of enjoyable. Whereas we had been solely there for two days, we discovered town very pleasurable. It was picturesque, walkable, and had some nice eating places and wine bars.
From there, we continued to the capital of Sweden, Stockholm. Right here we joined a strolling tour, and explored the outdated city and some different areas – Östermalm, Södermalm and Norrmalm. We spent 3 days and solely scratched the floor of this gorgeous metropolis.
Greece
Whereas not a brand new nation for us, this yr we returned to Greece to go to a brand new island within the nation, Paros. We had been there for Tom and Anna’s second wedding ceremony! Along with 33 of their closest household and pals, we celebrated their union.
Paros is a beautiful island and our 8 days there have been spent hanging out with new pals, wedding ceremony festivities, and exploring the island by car. Nick and I had 3 days to ourselves earlier than anybody arrived.
We primarily based ourselves in Naousa and zipped across the island trying out completely different coves and seashores, quaint villages, bars and eating places, and coastal walks. This journey to Greece for our pal’s wedding ceremony was a particular spotlight of the yr.
Mexico
Nick’s dad was within the hospital, so with out hesitation, we booked a last-minute, 3-week journey to Puerto Vallarta on the finish of September.
Inside 3 hours, we had deliberate, packed, and booked flights, lodging, journey insurance coverage, and a taxi to the airport. We had been on our manner: Sofia -> Frankfurt -> Mexico Metropolis -> Puerto Vallarta.
Fortunately, every little thing is okay now and he’s recovering. However, it was an extremely nerve-racking time.
Romania
To spherical out our worldwide travels this yr, we headed on a highway journey north to Romania for Nick’s birthday. Not solely had been we celebrating Nick’s big day, however it was on today precisely 15 years in the past that we give up our jobs, bought our possessions, and headed off on our lifetime of journey.
Romania was a brand new nation for us, and we loved our 5-day journey to Bucharest and a few surrounding areas. We ate at fabulous eating places (each conventional, and upscale), did a day journey to the Delau Mare wine area, soaked within the spectacular Therme Baths, and walked all around the metropolis. It was an important journey!
Enterprise Plans
Aside from now having a house base, the opposite main transition for us this yr has been how we take a look at our enterprise and what we would like for it.
By way of site visitors to our web site, it wasn’t the place it ought to have been – the place it deserved to be after 10+ years of onerous work! The truth that we had been simply “holding it afloat”, merely wasn’t acceptable to us.
As soon as we knew in our hearts and minds that we had been holding Goats On The Street, we went for it! We employed a big group of professional writers on numerous matters, two virtual assistants, an editor, and a supervisor and we each spent much more time giving the weblog the adore it deserves.
We made increase our model and web site a precedence and between the time that we deliberate to promote, and now, we had been capable of double our guests to the positioning.
However, that’s only one small a part of what we did. We each wished (need) to be extra inventive and have much more of a neighborhood connection.
Nick has been working onerous on updating and creating new content material for his Blogging Kickstarter Course and his Advanced SEO Made Simple course as properly. He’s additionally been attempting to construct up our YouTube channel once more.
I’ve been managing our groups behind the scenes, but in addition sharing much more on social media and brainstorming our subsequent enterprise for the brand new yr.
We’re placing a concentrate on our neighborhood (that’s you!), and are engaged on a program to assist digital nomads and aspiring digital nomads discover methods to make money online, spend much less whereas increase their companies, and stay and journey overseas.
We’re very enthusiastic about this…keep tuned! And, if it’s a program that you simply suppose you’d be excited by, send us an email and tell us what you’d wish to be taught in regards to the location-independent life-style.
Targets and Ideas for 2024
Heading into the brand new yr, there are just a few most important objectives and issues that we need to accomplish.
Investing in Ourselves
By this I imply, investing in methods to enhance ourselves – mentally, bodily, and business-wise. We’ve taken the primary steps even earlier than the brand new yr has arrived, and we’re presently concerned in a training course to find out how we will create the very best supply for our college students, and be the very best coaches and mentors potential.
I’ve additionally signed us up for Bulgarian language classes (want us luck!), and there are just a few attention-grabbing conferences that we’re planning on attending within the yr. We need to proceed to develop and evolve, and never be afraid to spend cash on issues that may assist us try this.
Touring to New Nations
This previous yr, we solely visited three new nations and the others had been repeats. This yr, whereas we do have a few repeat favorites deliberate, the purpose is to go to some new locations to see attention-grabbing cultures and sights, and to have some memorable experiences.
Well being & Wellness
Since I didn’t do the 2022 roundup put up, you didn’t examine us shedding a number of weight – Nick dropped 40 kilos, and I misplaced 20 kilos. We received impressed by the 4-hour body by Tim Ferris and after shedding the load, we began to work out with weights and HIIT applications.
I’m proud to say we’ve maintained our weight for greater than a yr now and can proceed specializing in our bodily well being as we head into 2024.
Shopping for a Property
It is a little bit of a lofty purpose, however not out of attain. The primary factor is that we’re undecided precisely the place to buy the property and whether or not it’ll be an funding property or our main residence.
Because of Our Tribe
As all the time, however much more so this yr, we need to thanks for being part of our tribe. In case you don’t know, a bunch of goats is usually referred to as a tribe 🐐 – how good is that?! (They’re additionally referred to as a “herd” however that’s not practically as cool)
As we’ve transitioned our lives from full-time digital nomads to having a house base, we’re feeling much less confused and extra impressed and able to creating impactful content material for you. This yr you’ll be able to anticipate a number of thrilling issues from us!
Our enterprise goes to be branching off in several instructions to be extra of a neighborhood – we need to work extra intently with the individuals who learn this weblog and comply with us on social media and who’ve goals of a affluent, digitally nomadic future.
When you haven’t already, ensure to subscribe to our email list, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Wishing you a cheerful and wholesome yr forward!
Dariece & Nick (the “Goats”)
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