Saying Goodbye to an Awesome Year

Holy cow. Tomorrow is my birthday. Just a heads up: I am so that girl that does the week long celebration. I’m an only child and crave the attention – don’t judge. I also just love birthdays in general. Yes, every person has one every year. But that doesn’t mean they’re not special! I think celebrating a new year in our lives is something we should appreciate rather than taking it for granted. If that means throwing myself a party or buying a cake for one, I’m so down.

I’m doing something a little different on the blog tomorrow to celebrate a new year of my life (stay tuned and make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel) but for today, I thought I’d share some of the lessons learned from the past year and why I’m actually excited to turn one year older. Read on, friends.

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FAUX LEATHER JACKET: NORDSTROM | STRIPED BODYSUIT: ASOS | JEANS: AMERICAN EAGLE | HEELS: STEVE MADDEN | BAG: VERA BRADLEY

So, year 28 was pretty badass. Before my birthday last year, I swear at least 5 ladies told me that it would be my best year yet. I have no idea what it is about 28 but guys, I think it just might have been the best year so far. And maybe that’s how it’s supposed to go? Every year gets better and better…I don’t know. Either way, this past year as been awesome for so many reasons.

After years of contemplating, I decided to take the risk and blog full time. I left my super consistent and supportive 9-5 job and for the past year, I’ve blogged, worked a few contracting gigs and poured more and more into Adorn (more on that next week). I traveled and went on new adventures and made new memories. I experienced new cultures and new places. If I’m being honest, I think the traveling just might have been my favorite part. Well that and my relationship with Brandon. We experienced a few challenges over the past year but man was it all worth it. I’ve never felt stronger about my love for another person and the love that another person has for me. That, my friends, is pretty damn amazing.

But through all of the “fun” and “cool” and “memorable”, there has also been a lot of stress and tears and conflict. I have learned so much and grown so much as a person.

“For me, year 28 was the year I found myself.”

Gosh, that sounds so cheesy. But it’s SO true. I have never felt more confident in who I am as a woman. I have flaws – duh. But this is the first time I’ve never just not given AF. It’s crazy to look back on the past decade of my life and all of the things I put up with professionally, personally, emotionally with other people and with the negativity I poured into myself. This past year – that stopped and it feels SO good.

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What I Learned… 

• Girl, You Better Love YOURSELF: Forget going after the love of someone else. As cliche as it is, the moment I started truly loving myself (on the inside and outside), I think Brandon fell just a tad bit harder for me. And I fell even harder for him. When you get rid of whatever it is weighing you down, you light up the lives of not only yourself but others.
• Take the Risk Already: it was scary AF and I’m still terrified every single day…but taking the risk to follow my passion and by my own boss was one of the most empowering moments of my life. But it’s not just about the risk I took. The lessons I’ve learned along the way and the things I’ve learned about myself that all stemmed from that one move…that’s the magic.
• Stop Setting Goals and Make a Plan: Rather than listing out actual goals, I sit down and make a plan for the best way to bring my vision to life. I love to plan but setting a goal isn’t as realistic for me. I try to be as intentional as possible with everything I do and having a plan works better. Instead of saying “I’m going to lose 10 pounds by XXX date”, I set out to get in 4-5 workouts a week and stick to a better meal plan. If I lose weight, great. But I can’t add that additional level of structure to box me in.

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What I’m looking forward to in YEAR 29…

• For my business: more opportunities, increasing my income, bettering my knowledge of the industry
• For my relationship: taking big steps (we’re moving in together!) and being a better communicator
• For my health: taking better care of myself and putting in the extra work in the gym and the kitchen to be a healthier version of myself
• For me: being more serious when it comes to my finances and future (saving for an investment property and a family), taking more risks and being more adventerous

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Any tips for this soon-to-be 29 year old? Drop ’em below!

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Photos by Shelby Gordon