This year went by in what seemed like a crazed blur. There were SO many changes in our life this year – we went through a lot of personal growth, self reflection, “realizing things” as Kylie Jenner would say…but overall my takeaway from 2016 was to grab opportunity by the horns and take the incredible amount of insight, maturing (I blame parenthood) and lessons I learned from “The School of Life” into 2017.
One of the things I like to do is to look over the past year in review. Writing them down is therapeutic in a sense and it’s powerful to reflect on the experiences you’ve had, the trips and the people who changed you.
My own 2016 year in review looks a little like this…
TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS
- I killed two birds with one stone and visited Dallas for some work and play! There I took a seminar with Kevin James Bennett, an Emmy-Award Winning Makeup Artist with over 30 years of experience. Watching him work was fascinating and he really knows his stuff. I also got the chance to receive business training with Megan Garmers, owner of MG Hair and Makeup and a Knot Pro Ambassador (top 3% of the wedding industry). She dropped some serious knowledge and reality checks to make us all more efficient businesswomen. The cherry on top was reuniting with all of my best college friends from SMU and going to homecoming with them like old times. The nostalgia was REAL and I was about to cry tears of happiness pretty much the whole trip!
- We moved to Charlotte, NC for a promotion with my husband, Scott’s work. I restarted my makeup business, we became first time home owners and are navigating parenthood with our cutie patootie bubbie toddler Kathleen.
- I set up my studio! I opened it a few months ago and do trial runs for brides and appointments for special occasion makeup. I’ve almost got it looking exactly like my dreams but it’s still got some final touches in store (which I plan to share on this blog!)
- I applied makeup for my first advertising campaign! My bread and butter is mostly bridal work, so it was incredibly thrilling to branch out. The makeup was for Scott Clark of Scott Clark Toyota – the final result was over 60 billboards across Charlotte. I was so proud to drive by them and I would be like, “thats MYYYY billboard!!!” and freak out like a total nerd/have a psychotic breakdown every time. I was actually proud of myself – a luxury I rarely allow myself as a perfectionist.
- I travelled back to my hometown, Jacksonville to visit family and friends for Christmas. We had an extra treat with my aunt, uncle and cousin staying from England. My aunt is the English reincarnation of me and vice versa – she is my true spirit animal if there ever was one! When you resonate with someone like that, it’s pretty hard not to get ridiculously excited when they come to visit! I hadn’t seen her since my wedding day so we felt ALL the feelings.
PERSONAL GOALS
- I became my own boss. This year marked the first year that I fully branched out on my own in the bridal business. I’m doing all my own business plans, budgeting, advertising, insurance – you name it and am learning how to be a better businesswoman all the time.
- I took risks. See above and you’ll understand. But I also took risks in my relationships this year – I forgave some, let go of others and finally started putting myself out there to meet new friends in a new city.
- I got a RING LIGHT!! I know it sounds silly as a personal goal, but it HAS been a goal of mine to up the anti and get professional lighting for my studio and improved before/after pictures.
IN 2016 I DISCOVERED…
- that I am a people person at heart. While I certainly didn’t just discover that I’m outgoing – I mean LOL I never stop talking – I learned how integral it is for my own happiness to get out of the house, engage with people and forge those deep connections and relationships. I truly crave getting to know people, learning of their strengths, desires, struggles…I learned from balancing motherhood and being your own boss that it can get pretty lonely out here adulting. I’m so much happier when I’m actively participating in the story of others, and they in mine.
- how much better I feel when I go to the gym on a regular basis. Seriously! I always feel so much better after going and automatically feel like I’ve gotten something checked off the list for the day – which is another mood booster. I’m still trying to figure out the best routine but it finally clicked that exercise may not be such a terrible thing and I actually need it to function properly.
- that it’s ok to let go. Let go of people who hurt you. Let go of the past. Let go of trying to please everyone. When you hold on to resentment, anger, fear, sadness–all those negative emotions– it starts to add up and weigh you down. I’ve been ferociously holding onto a ball of my own and it’s done nothing good for me this year. I’m learning that you have to forgive people not for them, but for yourself.
I have a lot more in store for 2017 – I feel like this year will be filled with more certainty and confidence. Hopefully I will continue to do a lot more learning and growing too.
What were some of your own accomplishments in 2016?
