Reflecting Back on 2018

As 2018 draws to a close and the festivities for 2019 begin, I always think it’s important to reflect back on this year. To review what I’ve accomplished, what I could have done better and most importantly, what I’ve learned.

I always write down my yearly goals in the notes section of my phone. I want it on hand so I can review them regularly and see what I’m on my way to accomplishing. This year, I hit 4 out of my 6 goals. The 5th goal changed as the year progressed, and that’s okay. And the 6th one I failed altogether, which is also okay. Because if I see it as a whole, 2018 has been an incredible year, both personally and professionally. And I’m proud of my accomplishments. In 2018 I:

• Traveled to 24 cities
• Launched a podcast, a dream that I fulfilled after 1 year of self-doubt
• Became in control of my health
• Read & listened to 20 books
• Focused on cultivating a strong community for whom I created the most meaningful content of my life

But I also learned some hard truths, which I wanted to share.

1. It’s Okay To Slow Down

Slowing down is something I’ve always struggled with, and so, in 2018, I yo-yoed between burnout and inspiration. The most burnt out I’ve ever been in my life is this past October, when after months of non-stop travel and a ridiculously high workload, I felt myself crack. I didn’t want to leave the house, I couldn’t sleep because of stress, and began hating my work. Which is why I decided not to travel anywhere for a whole month.

I don’t want to get to that place again, which is why I’ve been trying to give myself permission to rest. This is also why I’ve not really published any blog posts over the last week – I feel like I needed time off. One of my goals for the new year is to prioritize rest, and to travel less. I have no intention to beat my 24 city record, in 2019, I want to travel when I truly feel like it. I no longer want it to feel like a chore or something that spreads me too thin.

2. No Dream Is Too Big

This year, through the launch of my podcast, I realized that no dream is too big. If you have the courage and resolve to tackle fear head-on, you’ll be surprised by the things you can achieve. This year, I interviewed people who are leaders, who I would have never reached out to if I’d continued to give in to a fear-based narrative. In 2019, I hope to continue dreaming big, never doubting what I’m capable of doing.

3. Quality Over Quantity

This has been my mantra this year. Quality over quantity when it comes to accepting brand partnerships – instead of taking on a one and done partnership, the bulk of my partnerships this year have been long term, where I can cultivate a strong relationship with the brand. Quality over quantity when it comes to the Icing & Glitter community – I don’t care about having 1 million readers if they’re lukewarm about my content, I want this community to be a like-minded, positive group of people who lift each other up. And quality over quantity when it came to the content I produced – I wanted every piece of work I put out to be well-researched and provide a lot of value. This will continue to be how I operate in 2019.

What has 2018 taught you?

Check out how to time-batch and 7 things I do to stay creative.