Highlights + Lessons Learned In 2018

Hello! Happy 2019! It’s my highlights post of 2018 and honestly, it is one that is hard to sit down and write. I look back over the past year for lessons learned.  There are good, bad and what was I thinking lessons, but all have value.

After having some time off with my family and time at home it is really tough to get back in the routine of a regular workday and time away from home.  For me, it is the thought of a brand new year with all the possibilities.  It’s like having a new beginning and I want to make the most of it. 

To make plans and goals for the year I like to reflect on the past year and think about what I want more of with this fresh new beginning.

The world moves fast and we are on this never-ending cycle of doing more, and more and more.

So how do I come to the end of a year and not feel I accomplished much at all?  Am I alone in this feeling or do you feel that way too?

That is why looking back is so valuable to moving forward with purpose – LESSONS LEARNED.

First, let’s take a look at the Highlights.

Highlights of 2018

Wow, where to begin in 2018?  We kicked off the year by adopting 2 rescue cats, which have been a joy.  

As the year moved along I became obsessed with the minimalist living (which is continuing into 2019).

I shared my KITCHEN TOUR behind the scenes, decorated the Back Porch, and created a Porch Shade for the hot summer days.

I also rekindled my love for sewing and opened my Online Shop.  Oh, and I started on my kitchen tile project (to be completed in 2019).  All in all, it was a good year. 

Everything Kitchen & The Kitchen Sink Tour – Behind the Scenes

5 Ideas To Add Unique Style To Your Porch

Lessons Learned 

For me, I like to look back over the past year and see what I can learn from the events

Now for the lessons learned. I think this process is important because I tend to be hard on myself and I know a lot of you are too.  It took me up to my 40’s before I learned that acknowledging things I have accomplished, no matter how small, is absolutely necessary for growth, loving oneself and acceptance of who I am no matter how imperfect. 
I have made myself be nicer to me. 
I have worked on being in the moment more because life is too short to work so hard and not savor it, for a little while at least. 

Why?

As always years have ups and downs. For me, it was also a year I questioned why I was in the blogging world.  It had become overwhelmingly and I felt incredible pressure that comes with comparing myself to others. 

So what was my purpose? What made me someone you wanted to follow? Just when I was about to throw in the towel (so to speak) one of you would send a message or comment thanking me for an idea, tip or giving you the needed encouragement of “You Can Do It”,  and then my spirits would lift and I would be energized to keep going. I am so grateful to all of you, to know that sharing my passion and love for home and a simple lifestyle also inspires you. This is my reward for my efforts.

While I am not moving mountains, I am doing my best to help you create, love, and cherish your home and life as the unique gift it is. With social media, it is almost impossible to not compare ourselves to others but we must not play that game. Love yourself, your home and your life. It is the only one we have and life is way too short to not embrace it with everything we got and live it to the fullest EVERY SINGLE DAY!

What did I learn from 2018? 

This year was a lesson learned of, hope, humility, grace, and acceptance. I realized that I am not going to be one of the big time bloggers or the next Martha Stewart and that’s ok. I will be happy with my little spot in the world and hope that I can encourage others to be the best they can be. That is all!

To sum it up, it was a year of, contemplation, gratitude, and finding contentment.  So happy to be sharing 2019 with YOU ALL!