Keep My New Year's Resolution

Arabel Lebrusan was determined that this time she’d stick to her plan for good.

- Kristina Beanland

Lose weight, drink more water, learn a new language… we all have grand plans when we count down to New Year – but they’re usually a distant memory by February. So when I celebrated the start of a new year, I decided I wanted to set a more unusual goal. And, now, I’m happier than ever.

The truth is, the seed for my big idea was sown when I was a child. Every year, for New Year’s Eve, my parents would take me away. I’ve sang Auld Lang Syne in a long list of countries, from Egypt to Brazil.

And so, having firmly caught the travel bug, aged 23, I moved from my native Spain to the Netherlands, before finally settling in London to study Fine Art. It was there that I met my partner, Philippe.

After graduation, I started an ethical jewellery business, while Philippe was an engineer. We’d save up our salaries, before booking holidays and more countries were added to my must-visit list.