2015: A Year in Review

{Say No When Necessary} – This went well for me. It is so difficult for me to say no to people because I am an absolute people pleaser, but I’m standing up for myself and my health. I believe because I’ve been able to say no more, I’ve been able to say yes more often because I’m not spreading myself as thin. Maybe that’s why I didn’t go to as many blogger events this year, but I think I have a great balance of work, social, blogging, me time right now. Hooray!

{Work Hard – Blog Hard – Stick to an Editorial Schedule} – Well I was again rocking this in the beginning of the year, went downhill when I was interviewing and starting my new job, but have picked up after our recent move. I wouldn’t say I’ve been sticking to an editorial schedule as much as I want, but I’ve been consistently blogging three times a week! I would like to do more planning ahead, or just taking more photos of outfits so I can at least be a week ahead of schedule. I’m not too far away from this now.

{Save, Invest and Be at Peace Financially} – Sometimes I think I need to slow down my mind and realize that for my field, my age, and where I live I am doing just fine. In fact, I’m doing as well as I feel I could be! I worked hard over the past year and feel really stable where I’m at now. So it is a bit easier now to meet some of my financial goals. I’m not perfect, I still have horrible spending habits, but for example, I didn’t spend any money on clothes or accessories this month for myself. Say what?! Yes! Onto 2016. I have some hefty savings goals for 2016.

{Health over Wants} – I’ve been doing so well with this over the past year! I actually have gained a bit of weight between Thanksgiving and now, but overall I’ve done well (I give myself breaks because I like food and beer, sorry not sorry). I have been able to motivate myself multiple times a week to get to the gym, and when it wasn’t freezing and/or dark out, I would take my dog for long walks, and I have been doing much better cooking at home, not having as many cocktails during the week (those pointless calories add up), and drinking more tea vs. energy drinks. I hope to continue to lose the last bit of weight I want to in 2016 and then stay steady. It’s so great that I haven’t gone back to where I was at the end of 2012/2013. I didn’t like who I saw, and more importantly I didn’t like the way I felt. I don’t always feel great about myself, but I’ve made health a continuous focus.

{Stay Focused} – So to explain this one a little bit, it was about being focused on myself instead of focusing on other people, comparing myself to others, etc. I don’t know what it is about this year or being 27 but I feel better than I have since 22. I am so focused on the great things in life that I don’t find that I compare myself to others as often anymore, in fact, rarely ever. Sure I might be a bit jealous of people from time to time, but not an unreasonable jealously (I mean who wouldn’t rather be on the beach than at work)? I have been happier for other people and in turn have felt happier myself. There is a weird time in your 20’s where you just feel like everything sucks and everyone else is doing better and is happier than you. It isn’t true, and sometimes social media doesn’t help, but I finally feel like after a few years of those in between feelings and now knowing what’s next, at least I finally know who I am again. I know who I want to be. And no matter where my friends or family are in life, it doesn’t matter if I’m in a similar place or not because I’m not them and they aren’t me. I’m so glad to finally feel this way again. I’ve heard it only gets better as I get closer to 30. And I’m finally not scared of turning 30, so bring on 28 next month!

{More Adventures} – Can I get a YAHOO for this one?! YAHOO! This year was very successful in having more adventures – aka traveling, but not necessary big travel plans. From Miami and Las Vegas to Madison and Kansas City,I had a lot of adventures this year. I also went to visit my best friend in Dallas, and finally made it to a top-10 small towns Minnesota destination, Taylors Falls. Travel is one of the most important things to me, and I thought why not take more weekend and day trips. This is exactly what I’ve been doing and it’s been a blast. More in 2016! I can’t wait for our first trip out to California – staying with friends and traveling to San Francisco, Napa Valley and who knows where else.

Alright, now it’s time for a photo recap of 2015 -get ready for a photo overload! Here are my favorite moments, memories, and outfits from the past year: