This past year has been one for the books. It’s been one of the best, most challenging yet rewarding years on my life thus far. Alex and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary (being married is the absolute best by the way). We moved back to Austin. He started a new career. We bought a house (when did I grow up?) and I learned a few things along the way. I’m excited to share 15 things I learned in 2015 and 6 resolutions I have for the new year. So, grab a coffee my friends, it’s a long one!
15 things I’ve learned from 2015
1 // Invest in people who invest in you – If you know me, you know that friendships have always been of the highest priority. I spent many years (mainly high school, and even college) being friends with people who I felt I invested in more than they invested in me. In other words, it’s a two way street and these days I spend my time with people who put in the same amount of effort that I do. Cause let’s be real, ain’t nobody got time for that! Good friends are gold, treasure them! – To all of my best friends who I’ve known and been close with for years, or friends I just became close with this year, you guys are the best!
2 // Imperfections are endearing – It’s ok to not be perfect. No one is perfect and if they were, how boring what that be? Embrace who you are and others will too. If not, “bye Felcia!“.
3 // “You’re not a jar of Nutella, you can’t make everyone happy” – and hey, that’s quite alright! – Being human, I think that we want people to like us, but not everyone will like you, and that’s ok. Finally, at age 28, I can say that I’m totally fine with that. Who knows why some people feel the way they do. Often times, people aren’t happy in their own lives and they end up projecting that outward. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. All we can really do is be kind and genuine and try our best not take it personally. It often has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. After all, you know what they say, “what Sally says about Suzy, says more about Sally than Suzy”. Ya feel me?
4 // Negativity is a cancer, cut that shit out – Life isn’t always great and it’s ok to ‘have a moment’, but live life in a positive way with a positive attitude and it will make all the difference in the world, I promise.
5 // Cut yourself a little slack – We’re all works in progress. Life is all about evolving and growing while being happy with our current state. It’s a fine line to balance on, but worth it when you get it right.
6 // Value people and experiences – Truly, that is what life is all about. The experiences and the people we share them with. It’s hard sometimes in the world we live in, the constant social media and ‘things, things, things’. Don’t get me wrong, I clearly have a major love for lives little luxuries, but the older (ahem, wiser) I get, the more I realize that the luxuries are just that, luxuries. They’re wonderful, and lovely and exciting but they’d be nothing without amazing people to share them with.
7 // Find joy in the little things – As cliche as it sounds, it’s all about the little things in life. Cuddles on the couch with our puppies Berklee and Chase, fresh flowers, the smell of fall candles, the sound the ocean makes when it crashes on the soft shore. I’ve learned to enjoy the little things along the way.
8 // “You have the same hours in the day as Beyonce” – I mean, need I say more? That quote will make even the most motivated person feel lazy reallllll quick.
9 // Support other women – I can’t tell you how rare it is for women to support other women and it’s honestly sad. More often than not, peoples lack of support stems from insecurities (that whole Sally and Suzy thing I was saying ^ ), but it’s just not a good look. Support each other! You can appreciate and respect someone else’s success and strengths. It doesn’t take anything away from you or yours. It will only make you happier and stronger. If you’re friend looks gorgeous, tell her! If she’s killing it at her job, tell her!
10 // Be yourself – Authenticity is apparent. Stay true to yourself and you can’t go wrong.
11 // Take care of your skin – If you know me, you know how strongly I feel about this topic – at any and every age. I won’t go too in depth in this post, but trust me – invest in a good eye cream and thank me later. I’ll follow up with a full post about my skin care routine in the new year.
12 // Let it go – I’m a planner, to a fault. This year I really worked on controlling what I could and letting go of what I couldn’t. I’ve come a long way, but it’s still something I struggle with. So, we’ll put this one in the “work in progress” category.
13 // It only takes 3 seconds of courage – In the movie “We Bought A Zoo”, Matt Damon tells the story of how he met his wife (in the movie), and how all it takes sometimes is that 3 seconds of courage. I’ve lived by this idea ever since. Take a deep breath, put on your big girl (or boy) panties and go for it. Life is too short to wish you would have said or done something.
14 // Hard work pays off – The key to success is to work your booty off. No short cuts, just put your head down and handle that shit.
15 // “The key to having it all, is to know you already do.” – I saved one of my favorites for last. I saw this quote a few months ago while running errands and it instantly became a favorite. Appreciate what you have and don’t let the grass be greener on the other side, just water your own grass!
My 2016 Resolutions
1 // Stay inspired – I’m a creatively minded person and staying inspired is essential to my happiness. Whether it’s coffeeshop runs, travels or finding inspiration in the everyday, daily life, I want to seek out new inspiration as much as I can in 2016.
2 // Continue to nurture my blog – I’m so excited and proud of how far the blog came in 2015 and seriously can’t wait to see what 2016 brings. I’m looking forward to creating lots of exciting new content here on the blog as well as on my Instagram and Snapchat. A few things you can expect to see more of in 2016: Fashion, beauty, hair, tutorials, home decor, street-style, lifestyle (a peak into my life – recipes, fun date nights, etc.), travels, favorites and youtube videos.
3 // Get re-excited about fitness – Some of you guys may know this and some of you may not, but Alex (my hubby) played professional football for a few years. He retired from playing last year and took a break from his normal 6 days a week (his body needed a break from all of the abuse). I took a little break too. Fitness has always been a huge passion of mine and it became more of a chore for a while there. I was doing it because I had to, not because I was enjoying it. I recently started spinning again (I spun a lot in college) and totally loving it. If you’re in Austin – I’ve been going to Love Cycle and taking my friend Melissa’s classes, so good!!) and working out with my mom on the other days. My mom and I have been workout buds since Al and I moved back to Austin and I completely love it. It’s one of my absolute favorite things that we do together. It’s so much fun and gives me a chance to see her a lot (admittedly, we’re pretty attached at the hip:) ). If you’re looking to get in to fitness, or back into it then try finding a workout buddy. Oh, and getting cute workout cloths, that always helps too.
4 // Step up my cooking game – Speaking of my Mom, she is a phenomenal cook. I mean, epic. I on the other hand, have just never made it a priority and it’s time that I step up my game. Alex and I like to cook together, so as one of my Christmas gifts my parents got us a cooking class! This particular one is supposed to be amazing and I can’t wait. I think it’ll be such a fun (and education hehe) date night.
5 // Music – If you guys have been following me for a while than you may know, I’m a singer-songwriter! It’s what I went to school for, one of my biggest passions and my first love. Music got put on the back burner this past year but I’d like to bring it back to the front when I can. I’m a truly happier person with music in my life.
6 // Stay in touch – Great friends are hard to come by. In 2016 I’d like to take the time and make the time for the people I value most. Whether they are here or across the country.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting me this past year. It really means the world to me. I honestly can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for all of us! What are your 2016 resolutions? Let me know in the comments 🙂