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I squeezed every last drop from 2025

As everyone posts their 2025 wrap-ups I could not remember what I did or any highlights.

It seems crazy but I just looked at my YouTube videos as a reminder that 2025 was a year I spent time in my favorite countries:

• Winter in Vietnam
• Spring in Thailand
• Most of summer in Canada
• Autumn in Mexico, Alan's first time outside Asia
• Ending with a 3 week solo trip to Cuba

It was a big year and I've learned a lot but to be honest I haven't really had time to process it all.

But I do know I need to begin with a confession.

I know others see the way I live my life as brave. That it's glamorous to be a content creator.

But here's the truth: I'm exhausted.

I am now 48 and the freedom I once felt has slipped away.

I don't know if it was the world changing after COVID, adding YouTube to the mix or still not enough HRT.

But it's too much.

I don't have the same energy to change hotels every week, make flashy Instagram videos or look for the newest trend.

I just want to be myself. And I miss old school social media where I just shared what I saw, learned and helped others with information.

And while I don't keep resolutions. I do often choose a word. This year I know I don't need to commit to doing more.
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2026 is the Year of SLOW

I'm still going to travel, but slower. I'm working on more in-depth guides that help people decide where to travel. And I still want to plan group trips to Vietnam and Cuba (yes this is a new idea!).

I'm going to be more thoughtful with content, work on my health and give my brain a break from screens.

As I reflect on this year I'm proud of the content I created. And I learned a few lessons worth sharing.
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1) Sometimes Small is Better

Not everything has to be an epic adventure.

Some of my favorite moments in Vietnam were drinking coffee on the sidewalk in kiddie chairs watching the world go by.

Waking up early to walk to the market for breakfast by myself.

Reading a book on the beach where locals bring their families.

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2) Health is the Biggest Wealth

I've been treating my body like I'm 27. That worked until this year. Blood panels and screenings in Vietnam showed me I have a lot of work to do.

And Alan ending up in the emergency room changed our minds about health insurance.
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In 2026 we'll be fully insured with Safety Wing.
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3) Lead with Service Over Style

I started Bacon is Magic in 2010 and my YouTube channel in 2021. I feel like a grandma in the social media world.

I believe in evolve or die. But that beautiful 7 second videos based on a trending audio takes me 2 hours to make.

I love to share what I've learned. All my life I have been told I talk too much... even my grade 6 report card said my teacher kept moving me but I'd talk to anybody next to me that would listen.
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Spending 2 hours on 7 seconds that doesn't provide useful information doesn't make sense.
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Instead I would rather write a guide on how I find where to eat or my process for finding apartments, or how I spent a month in Thailand and why eating breakfast alone where nothing is in English can be the greatest joy.

I won't attract as many brand partnerships. Or maybe I'll find better ones that understand my value?

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4) If One Decision Doesn't Work, Make Another

This year I planned to spend 2-3 months in Da Nang. As soon as I got there I hated it. It didn't feel like Vietnam and I was cranky about the digital nomad vibe.

48 hours later I booked an expensive same day flight to Bangkok and took a bus to Hua Hin. It ended up being the best decision to acknowledge what wasn't working.

When I think about how I felt in Hua Hin, that's exactly how I want to feel in 2026. Healthier, room to let my mind roam and time to sit and talk to locals.

I'm getting off the crazy train.

Maybe my old life worked for me before. But instead of being stubborn and trying to make things I'm going to do something different.

And if that doesn't work I'll pivot again.

Keep life delicious,

Ayngelina
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P.S. I'm working on a Vietnam food tour with a local guide I've known for years. If you're interested in joining me to eat these dishes where they originated, you can sign up here. No commitment, it's just a separate email that will only go out to people interested in Vietnam.
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And the Cuba trip info & guide coming in 2026 get notified here.

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