2016 Year in Review

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Wow, 2016. This year has been a doozy for many of us, hasn’t it? A lot of great and weird things have happened this year, and it’s been quite the ride. I laughed hard, I cried hard, and I grew up a bit. In 2015, I learned how to make lemons out of lemonade, and this year was no exception. Let’s dig into some of the highlights, lessons learned, and favorite outfit posts of this year, shall we?
 

A Few Highlights…

• Taking the plunge and going full-time. Okay, this is still a little awesome/scary to chat about since it is a very recent decision, but I decided to follow my dreams and take the blog full-time. I’m still in an adjustment period and I have a lot that I’d like to get accomplished, but I’m looking forward to being my own boss in 2017 and doing big things!
• Full recovery from arm surgery. I had carpal/cubital tunnel surgery on my left arm right before Christmas this year, and I spent a good portion of the year regaining the strength in my arm back. After they took my cast off in January, my arm went limp and I basically had to learn how to reuse it all over again! I’m able to do a total of two push ups on the floor now, sounds wimpy, but I’m just happy with the progress that I’ve made!
• Learning how to say no. I got to a point where I was starting to struggle with the demanding blog, a full-time job and a lengthy commute last year so badly. I always was a “yes” person. Yes, I’ll go to your event. Yes, I’ll do a blog favor for a friend. Yes, yes, yes. 2016, I really learned how important it is to just say no to some things for your sanity. It saved me in the long run!

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Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned…

• Don’t let distance be an issue. One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with was a bunch of my good friends moving away from D.C. this past year. It’s a pretty transient city so it’s never a shock when my friends leave town, but it still hurts nevertheless. In 2016, I did a way better job at Skyping, texting, and staying in touch with my friends who have left the city. It’s hard to find someone who’s a true friend: don’t let distance get in the way of your friendship!
• It’s okay to be alone. I was in relationships for a good ~75% or so of my college career. My junior year, I had a boyfriend who was amazing, but someone I had to rely on for everything. As much as I joke about being single and the bad Tinder dates I’ve been on, I’ve had so many career and life changes happen to me over the last couple of years and I know I’m a better person for going through it alone. It’s refreshing being on your own two feet after back-to-back relationships.
• Unplug yourself. I had to create “Office Hours” for myself, and promise that I wouldn’t blog on Saturdays just for my sanity. Saturday is my day to do whatever I please, as long as it’s offline. Westworld marathon? Sure. Time with mom? Absolutely. A brunch that lasts three hours? You bet. 

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2017 Goals…

• Travel goals: I have a lot of random spots on my travel list for 2017: New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Nashville (still!), Chicago, and crossing my fingers I can squeeze in an international trip somewhere. And please remind me to go to a beach. 
• Volunteer and donate. To be completely candid: I’m still pretty furious over the election results. Instead of feeding into negative energy, it seems like the best time to volunteer and donate to organizations near and dear to my heart (Planned Parenthood, ACLU, etc) to make a change. 
• Get into a routine. I’ve only been working for myself for a few weeks now, but I hope I can settle into a good fitness/cooking/working in coffee shop routine ASAP. Not gonna lie, it’s a weird feeling not leaving your house all day and then heading to press events at night. I’m hoping I can be a little more out and about during the day to maximize productivity!

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What are your 2016 highlights and 2017 goals?