Five Things I Learned from 2017

I was going to do a sale round up for today’s post, which probably makes better sense being a fashion blog and all, but with the new year fast approaching, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past and make plans for the future.  So, I apologize in advance…today is a bit personal.  Today I am sharing what I learned from 2017 and how I plan on using this information moving forward.

 

What I Learned from 2017

 

  1. You can still make your “What Ifs” a reality.

I have always been a person that is content with life, embracing every little moment and trying to stay positive regardless of the situation.  (Okay, well maybe not always, but for the past 20 years or so!)   However, I often think of “what ifs”… What if I went away to college instead of staying local?  What if I went into fashion instead of teaching?  What if I rented an apartment in the city instead of staying on the island?  What if I ran track or cross country instead of playing soccer?  What if I didn’t buy three wedding dresses?  (We’ll talk about this another time-lol)  Now, I never look back in regret because every choice I have made has brought me to where I am today, but the “what ifs” linger and manifest into new goals.  In 2017, I realized that I am still capable of addressing these “what ifs” just in an updated, modified way.  I am 35, so in order to address some of my what ifs, I have no choice but to modify them!

This year, I ran the NYC marathon and completed it in my goal time.  I never thought I would be capable of this.  I have always been a good runner, but never actually liked running.  When my daughter was five months old, I decided to put in for the NYC half marathon.  Could I push myself to actually do this?  I just had a baby and was a tired stay-at-home-mom of two.  How would I find the time?  Fortunately, my family was extremely supportive and helped me to achieve my goal.  I even got to run the half-marathon with my younger brother, which made the experience even more special.

Realistically, I am not going to go back to school to study fashion, but this “what if” is being fulfilled right now.  I never thought I would ever be a fashion blogger, but yet here I am!  I am no fashion expert, but it has always been a passion of mine.  I am learning so much everyday and love engaging with others.  It has truly been a wonderful experience so far.

Now that apartment in the city…maybe one day.  Until then, overnight trips with my family will just have to do!

 

2.  Nurture the relationships that mean most to you.

This is one of the areas that I have struggled with most in 2017.  The first relationship that I plan on nurturing the most, is the one with my husband.  We always say that we are better when we’re together (Any Jack Johnson fans out there?), but our schedules don’t always allow for that.  My husband works constantly and now that I am back to work and have embarked on this blogging journey, ours schedules tend to conflict.  When we spend more time together, it allows us to be happier and as peace activist Daisaku Ikeda said, “when happiness thrives in the lives of parents, it thrives in their children’s lives as well.”  For 2018, we have decided together to find more time for us.

I also need to nourish the relationships with the friends who I love and adore.  Life can get really crazy sometimes, but it’s important to make time for those that we love.  Too often I use the excuse that I’ve been so busy or life is just really crazy right now.  I need to make more of an effort and stop being such a millennial and actually CALL the ones I love instead of just texting.  A little phone call goes a long way.

 

3.  Take risks, but don’t let it get in the way of what is most important to you.

This one kind of piggybacks off of #1 and #2.  One of the biggest risks I have taken this year is blogging.  It is immensely gratifying in many ways, but unbelievably time consuming and difficult!  It is basically like having another full-time job…but without the reliable income.  I’ve learned that you should follow your passions and take risks, but it should not affect what matters most to you.  For me, that’s my family.  Blogging has not only changed my life, but also the lives of my family.  In order to make this work, I have to do more with less.  I cannot allow this, or anything for that matter, impede on my family life.  Nothing is worth that.  There are times where I have been so consumed with the blog and our Instagram account that I miss out on what is most important.  Therefore, I plan on finding a way for blogging and my family to coexist peacefully.  I need to be better scheduled and just let things go once in a while.

 

4.  Be unapologetically you.

This blog has forced me to come out of my comfort zone and put myself out there.  Of course, I am leaving myself wide open to be judged and criticized, but I have reached a point in my life where I am starting not to care!  I’ve heard this comes with age… I am okay with being imperfectly perfect.  I know I am flawed, but this is me.  I make mistakes and will continue to do so, but that’s part of life.  Not everyone is going to like my style or read what I write on a blog, but that’s okay.  I dress in a way that makes me feel good.  I speak in a way that reflects who I am.  This year, I plan on opening up a bit more on the blog and finally work on the Lifestyle tab that’s been saying, “Coming soon” for sixth months now.  Maybe people will read it, maybe they won’t, but it’s worth the risk.

 

5.  It’s okay to take time for yourself.

If you are a mom, you know that when it comes to mommy guilt, the struggle is real!  Being away from your kids is never easy, but sometimes it’s needed!  I love my kids more than life itself, but sometimes I need break to reconnect with myself!  I have learned that it is completely normal and healthy to take time for yourself.  Go to yoga class.  Meet a friend for lunch.  Get your nails done.  Go on that run!  Remember, there’s a reason why all of the experts emphasize the importance of nurturing the relationship with yourself.  Like many others I’m sure, I plan on working on being strong and healthy in 2018.  I have always loved working out and being active, but I haven’t done a thing since August.  Yes, I went back to work and I had trouble adjusting to my new life as a working mom of two and now blogger, but being healthy and strong is important to me.  In this new year, I plan on reconnecting with this part of my old self.  No more excuses!

 

If you made it this far, wow!  You’ve finally reached the end!  Thank you so much for taking the time to hear me ramble on about what I have learned in 2017.    I hope you have a happy and healthy 2018!  Thank you for your continuous support!

 

To shop my look in the cover photo, click on the images below:

 

 

 

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