Category: Blogging

A Booze Blogger Does Dry January: Is It Worth It?

Dry January is a month without alcohol. Is Dry January worth it?

At 11:52 PM on December 31, 2018, I had my last drink of alcohol. Not for forever, but at least for now: I was attempting my first Dry January, a completely booze-free time in the first month of the year. Gulping my last sip of spiked punch, I eyed the countdown clock with nervous anticipation: Could I pull this off?

After 31 consecutive days sans alcohol — spoiler alert, I did it! — here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of my Dry January experience.

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2018 Year in Review (Or: To 2019 and Beyond!)

Year in review posts (like the ones I did for 2016 and 2017) are my favorite kinds of posts to write. It’s a chance to reflect on all of the experiences that enabled us to grow and change throughout the year, both the good and the bad. It’s also the one time I don’t feel guilty overloading the Internet with pictures of cute cats, because — *gasp* — they’re our cats now!

From Copenhagen and Canada to cats and craft cocktails, here’s everything that went down for us in 2018.

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It’s Been All Quiet on the 5 O’Clock Front Lately. Here’s Why.

Aww, did you miss us? (Just kidding. Most of you were probably doing something more important, like getting politically active, checking out the latest cocktail bar, or watching your 800th cat video on YouTube.)

In all seriousness, it’s a been a hot minute since we’ve posted on this blog — one month, to be exact. But between unexpected delays getting back home and a major life change, we’ve had time to reflect on what’s next for It’s Five O’Clock Here, our travels, and our lives.

So what happened in January 2018 that led to solitude and some Serious Deep Thinking? From California coastline to new roommates, here’s the deal. (And spoiler alert: cute kitten photos ahead.)

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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: What I’ve Learned in One Year of Blogging

Nearly a year ago – on April 4, 2016 – I unveiled “It’s Five O’Clock Here,” my travel and drinks website, to the world. At the time, I had no idea what kind of impact it would have on my life, but I knew that I had to press that “Publish” button or else I’d never know if I could hack it at travel blogging.

What a difference a year makes. I’m currently en route to Boston as I type this, gearing up to visit Amsterdam and Belgium. I won’t be alone: Ashley, the hilarious travel blogger behind My Wanderlusty Life, will be throwing back a pint or two of beer with me. Still, it’s odd to think that a year ago, I had yet to meet her for the first time on a “blogger blind date” in Boston.

But that’s how travel blogging works. It keeps you on your toes, your fingers glued to a coffee mug in one hand and your camera or laptop in the other. You’re always on the hunt for that next topic or idea for a new post.

Despite this, the rewards will come. You will feel more creatively alive than you have in years. You will have complete autonomy of—and accountability for—your work product. Plus, you never know who will enter your life and when; I’ve been astounded by the number of incredible people I’ve met through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook before we met IRL.

As with everything, though, I’m not always looking through rose-colored glasses. There are days—though thankfully they are fewer now—when I struggle to get work done and toss my computer (OK, my notebook, actually; computers are @#$!ing expensive) at the wall.

So today, let’s pull back the curtain on travel blogging. I’m here to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly—or, what I’ve learned from one year of blogging.

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2017 Will Rock (Or: I Finally Wrote a 2016 Recap)

2017, I’ve got a feeling we’re going to get along. I’ve got a spring in my step just thinking about what’s ahead. From more consistent posting to trips to Europe and beyond, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic year.

Before we get to reviewing our #2017goals, though, let’s take a moment to reflect on this past year.

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