Wow I still can’t really believe we’re here in 2018!! I remember back when it was Summer, and I’d joke with my fiance about “oh there’s 5 months until Christmas, are you ready?!” Now look at us! It’s January 4th and we’re off to a great start. I’ll be writing more on my blog as the time goes by on helpful tips on how to start your year and plan each month accordingly.
If you follow my Instagram, I posted a picture of a quote that one of my favorite bloggers Kait (@kaitness) posted earlier for the new year. I love her mindset and way of encouraging others that what they’re going through is normal and okay. She’s one of the most realistic bloggers out there today and I absolutely love that! Here’s to #transparency!
While 2017 wasn’t fully an amazing year that made me go WOW! It did have some great moments for me and I enjoyed it. I did have struggles, bad days, rough moments that made me question some things in my life, unexpected events, etc. Those not so great moments, although were bad at the time, really helped me grow and transition into who I am today! Those events lead you to feel stronger, and more powerful today. I remember as we were getting closer to new years, so many posts were going up about how 2017 sucked, how it was the worst year, people cussing at it like it was a person… While I do understand that in life we have some pretty unexpected things that get thrown at us, things we can’t fully control. People get fired, sicknesses arise out of the blue, money becomes tight, breakups happen, family issues, the list can go on sadly. BUT! I believe the year, day, any moment is really what you make out of it. It’s really up to you and how you can transform such a rough time to a beautiful outcome. I’m all about building up others in life, and helping them see the strength and potential in themselves.
Throughout my college years at FIDM, and the 6 years after that in retail and fashion, I saw and met so many different people. Everyone had such different characteristics, and qualities than me and I liked that. I loved meeting new people and getting close as friends to help one another. I met some great co-workers through work whom I loved sharing my low points with to get their advice and vice versa. I enjoyed being a shoulder to lean on and trying to show the strength of that person to them. What happens to us out of the blue sometimes isn’t in our control, but what we do after that is. You can try to be optimistic and turn your life around or just be upset and blame the world for everything. How we react to those situations shows a lot about someone and how they take on their lives. No matter the situation whether it was a breakup, losing your job, a loved one passing away, you can get yourself back up. Some people like to lean on friends and family, some people love to go out and travel to their favorite place of peace and serenity. Some people get a fire burning in them to strike back and try harder, for example losing that job makes someone more hungry to refresh their resume and hit the ground running! You have the power and capability, you just gotta get up and do it!
I’ve been through quite a few ups and downs throughout my life, and I know there will be more to come. The thing that always gets me through is being optimistic and having close family and friends to help me along the way. I always try to the see the better side of a crappy situation. The second something goes south, I start brainstorming what can I do to fix this and make it a better outcome? Who can I ask for advice? What’s the right thing to do to turn this around? Optimism has been my best friend ever since I was a kid. I was told no, and “you can’t do this” so many times. The thing that kept me going was the drive in me. I chose to not let any of those people get to me or hold me down. I got so much joy out of showing my doubters that I can and I will accomplish whatever it was at that moment. I still do! Even in your adult years, you will meet people or work with people who will doubt you and say no you can’t do that. For me, that’s the greatest challenge to hear. I get joy to show them what I can do, and how great I will be at it.
You are incredible, smart, strong, beautiful, and worth it. I will be the one to tell you, you CAN do it! You got this. Stay focused, driven, and dedicated and it will come to you. Nothing comes easy, or immediately. Remember that! Here are a few things that can really help boost you up and get you going for 2018.
- Get Organized

Being organized and having a planner/journal to schedule events and jot down notes is a must for me!
2. Plan Ahead and Schedule things
3. Make Time for YOU!
4. Stay Positive and Optimistic

I hope you enjoyed this post, it’s a bit more of a personal topic but I really wanted to share some of my own experiences and tips with you. Sometimes in the midst of all the craziness we need to stop and smell the roses, no really. Smell them! Be the best version of yourself, be humble, help build others up, and run towards your goals with arms wide open! 2018 is going to be a great one, I know it!
XOXO,
S