3 Lessons I Learned in 2018

Sweater//J.Crew (no longer available but also love this one)  Jeans//NYDJ (my other favorite pair)

Handbag//Chloe (dupe version here)  Hat//J.Crew

With the start of a New Year comes reflections on the previous. I  am not one to make new year’s resolutions and don’t hate me for saying this but I don’t really believe in them. I don’t think you need a new date to tell you to make changes in your life or better yourself. You can do that any time throughout the year.

What I do believe in is constantly trying to be the best version of myself and reflect on what I have learned and can take forward. Boring?

As I sit and reflect on 2018, I wanted to share a few life lessons I learned. I also wrote a blog post for my 26th birthday in June about life lessons I learned by 26 so if you are in the reflecting and self-improvement mood feel free to check out that post!

3 Lessons I Learned in 2018

The Power of Great Friendships

As I have yearned to move back home this year dealing with friendships and that homesick feeling have been a constant subject on my mind. When you’ve moved around your whole life you are used to friendships ending. Out of sight out of mind is pretty common.

This year I have been incredibly blessed and realized I have formed strong bonds that have already stood the test of time. I had nothing to be worried about and every time I come home I am reminded that great friendships are not tied to a certain location.

I was so lucky to stand by one of my closest friends on her wedding day this past year and experience the engagement of another. I am so appreciative of the friendships I have formed and need to remind myself that they aren’t going anywhere. No more doubting friendships!

Never Give Up

In general, I would consider myself a very determined individual and I love continually challenging myself. However, in 2018 that was definitely put to the test. This blogging journey has been a great creative outlet for me when I needed it most. I have loved sharing my passions with like-minded women from around the world and it is pretty cool to see something you have created from the ground up grow.

Blogging has also been difficult – much more than I expected it to be. It takes continuous dedication, willingness to learn, long hours and dealing with the opinions of others in your “real” life who don’t quite get what you are doing. Taking photos of yourself in pretty outfits and posting that for strangers on the internet can be hard to explain.

However, if you love what you are doing and know that it’s important to you then never give up. Sometimes you have to be your own biggest cheerleader, but I promise you people will come around when they see how much your passion means to you.

Take time for yourself

This is something I am still working on and probably will be my whole life. I am not the best at relaxing as I always like to feel productive and useful. This is especially difficult to do when running my blog, which is like a small business, as I have a hard time checking out.

However, it is so important to take small moments throughout the day to care for yourself even if it’s as simple as taking a relaxing shower, a workout class, or reading a good book at the end of the night.

Taking time for yourself is great for your mental health and recharges you to tackle that never-ending to-do list we all have. I am learning – slowly – that work can wait and there is only one me so I might as well start to take better care of myself.

What are some life lessons you learned in 2018? What are your personal plans for 2019? Feel free to share in the comments section below!