Making dreams come true – a 2011 report

We’re approaching the end of 2011, and I thought I’d make a little summary of all the dreams I put into reality in 2011. Oh, how wonderful it feels to look back at all the awesome experiences I’ve had! Why don’t you use this as inspiration to put together your own list? Or better yet, to put your own amaxing dreams into reality in 2012? Looking back on 2011 – here’s what I did:

Lived 6 months in Kingston, United Kingdom

Living abroad has always been a dream of mine, and now I’ve actually done it. In 2011, I finished my one year of photography studies in Kingston Upon Thames. In case you wonder (or share the dream), living abroad was perfect and exciting. Even shopping for the most common groceries was fun and different! It’s a steep learning curve, and you don’t go a day without discovering something new. And just to make sure I don’t glorify it – I did experience loneliness and homesickness too. It was worth it.

Studied photography

In the midst of law studies, I had always dreamt of studying something creative. So (naturally, I would say), I packed up my things and decided to give myself one year. In 2011, I completed my year as an art student and I loved every minute of it. I can openly admit I don’t want to make a living as a photographer, but I really enjoyed the creative process and the buzz of going to galleries and call it “studying”.

Travelled the world

In 2011, I visited 9 countries – UK, Latvia, Denmark, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Austria. Together with my boyfriend and my sister, I spent 2 months in the summer backpacking. Tokyo and India had been on my dream destination list for years and I finally made it there in 2011. In case you wonder how I managed to do it economically: I borrowed money from my mother, my sister, my boyfriend and I used all my credit cards. Crazy? YES. Irresponsible? YES. Worth it? YES!! I’ve now paid off all the debt and I’m an amazing experience richer. Do it at your own risk, but my advice is simple: DO IT.

Reached new traffic highs for The Freedom Experiment

I won’t try to hide the fact that I squeal with delight when I check google analytics to find that lots of people have visited my site. And I do a little dance every time someone comments to share their liking of my writing. Therefore, making the Freedom Experiment grow is a constant dream of mine. I want it to flourish, to shine. In 2011, I hit an all-time high: 11,829 unique visitors in ONE DAY. Dream come true for sure! Thank you so much!

… and all the small things:

In 2011, I went to a Melissa Horn concert, bought a MacBook Air, got linked to by a huge blog, a birthday wish from a personal hero, stayed two nights in a five star resort with private pool i Bali, survived the Tokyo metro, had my first internship in a top law firm (got offered a second one), travelled to Kitzbühel with McKinsey & Company, made wonderful new friends, visited my friends in Kingston this fall, celebrated Christmas in our own flat + + +

Did you make any dreams come true in 2011? Share in the comments!

Tagged as: 2011, 2012, dreams, new year, travelling