It’s hard to believe I am even writing this post as we are just days away from a brand new year. A brand new DECADE actually. It seems like just yesterday I was envisioning what 2019 would bring and now here we are ready to close this chapter to start anew. In this post I will share the 6 things I learned in 2019 and feature my latest look book with The Hemsley Boutique.
I am in awe of The Hemsley Boutique because of the owner’s ability to select stylish, affordable and high quality items. I used to have SUCH a tough time finding ways to update my wardrobe with pieces that reflected my style and when I look through this boutique’s items, I am amazed at what I see! Honestly, I have complete and total confidence that I can style anyone with their selections. Take a peek here and you will see that for yourself! (This post is not sponsored by the boutique btw. I was gifted some items for a recent Instagram collaboration and felt so inspired by the looks I just had to share them here in this space and I really just hope you enjoy it! The boutique is also very generously offering a 15% discount for my readers with code: Alyssa15)
Without Further Adieu
Without further adieu, here is what 2019 taught me
|1|There is No Belief Like Self Belief
When I started my blog, I hate to say it, but no one really believed in me. I know it sounds cruel and maybe it is a little. In fact, I still feel this way. But I am in no way angry or resentful about it. The truth is, people will underestimate you time and time again. They will laugh at your dreams (most likely not to your face either) but that is OKAY. Because you will ALWAYS have to be your biggest cheerleader. People tend to have smaller thinking because it makes them feel safe in some way or another. But believe in yourself and I promise you, there is NOTHING you can’t accomplish. NADA!
|2| Sucesss Feels Like Failure
That title should read: Success Feels EXACTLY like failure. This was such an interesting lesson for me because I think we all have some misconception about success. We think it’s a feeling, a destination. But really it never ever ends. It’s ongoing and it’s in the pursuit of success itself that we become successful.
I encourage you to redefine success. If it’s a number or a milestone, think twice. Work to become the best you and that will always be your success. Everything else fades, but our character and the lives we touch truly last forever. That’s why so many people give up on their dreams. It feels SO HARD. And it is… but there are a lot of successes along the way, you just have to keep your eyes peeled 😉.
|3|Chasing Dreams is SUPER Messy
Starting a blog was a whole lifestyle change for me and really unsettled our normal routine..! A lot of late nights, unfinished projects, and my house seemed to be under constant stress. It was not pretty! But I told myself that it would have to be a little lot messy for some time. Don’t let that hold you back! Chasing dreams is a messy situation because you are constantly being pulled out of your comfort zone. Things settle a bit after awhile, but just remember that it doesn’t look like the movies.
I think that was a big misconception for me for awhile… At first you feel great that you are finally making your dreams come true, then after some time it feels like the honeymoon phase is over 😂 Expect it to be a bumpy ride, but keep going.
|4|What You Do Carries Tremendous Value
I think this is easy to lose sight of in any profession. As a stay at home mom, I am sad to say that I devalued myself over and over again. I knew my work was important but I still felt like I wasn’t doing enough somehow. The same came with Instagram and blogging. After I seemed to figure it out, I questioned my value way too much and had to learn some hard mistakes… Whether you go to a 9 to 5 everyday, stay at home, or somewhere in between- your work has value. Believe in that value and others will begin to see it too.
It feels so important to share this concept because I am 100% certain that when we KNOW what we do is important and special, then we only expect what we are worth. Pay raises, better lifestyles, more time with the family… know that you deserve it all.
|5|God Never Gives Up on Our Dreams
So I don’t normally share too much about my spiritual walk here but goodness, it’s a HUGE part of what I do and why I’m here ❤. My absolute favorite lesson from the year is this one: God NEVER gives up on our dreams. I can’t help but tear up every time I think about it.
So many times in my life I have given up on myself, for many different reasons as most of us do. After facing 7+ years of loss and heartache I was sure that none of my dreams would ever come true. But somehow, opportunities and ideas kept circling back to me. Whether it was someone I met or a burning desire in my heart, it felt like God kept leaving breadcrumbs for me to find and I kept picking them up. I still feel this way and hope to share more on this in the future!
For now, I just want to encourage you that if there are any dreams that you can’t shake from your head, take that first step and see where it leads. Isn’t success just a bunch of small steps and decisions anyway? 😉 Go for it!
|6| It’s Really Good to be Crazy
Wait, what? Okay let me explain this one… It’s really really good to be a little crazy. By crazy I mean, don’t fit into a mold and don’t hold back when you’ve got a great idea in your head. This happens to me A LOT. I think about a project or maybe even a brand collaboration and some crazy idea comes into my head and I think to myself “I can’t do that, it will never work and it’s a crazy idea!!” Then I side smile and tell myself “I must do it!”
Eleanor Roosevelt got it right when she said “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Be a little crazy and do it 💕.
Well Wishes into 2020
So that’s my whole year of lessons wrapped up in one teeny tiny blog post. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it! Be sure to check out The Hemsley Boutique website and use the code mentioned above to get your hands on these beautiful items at a generous discount. And one more thank you to Etched in Time Photography for capturing these beautiful shots! I’m wishing you a year of craziness in the best possible way, lots of fun, and hoping you believe in yourself to make all those wishes come true.
X o X o ,
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