Well, first things first… Happy New Year friends!!! Hope you all had a wonderful evening ringing in 2025 with a big bang. As for me, I was cuddled up in our hotel room at Disney listening to fireworks in the distance after a long day at Hollywood Studios = mama can’t hang like she used to, but the past few days of fun + family was just what the doctor ordered. More of our trip to come next week, but now that we are all getting our new year’s resolutions and gameplan in order, I thought it would be fun to take a little trip down my memory lane.
Lots of lessons learned in 2024= both personally and professionally and I am here to hopefully share some of that wisdom with each of you and maybe spark something in you to make a change this year as well. Another way I am trying to pay it forward this year with this online community I am so thankful for… so here we go:
one. my family will always come first
I’ve repeated this sentiment so many times this past year, but I’m saying it again now… honestly, I’m hoping it stands out to at least someone so they realize TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY IS PRECIOUS. Whether it’s with your aging grandparents, your teens before they head off to college, catching up with a cousin during the holidays or whatnot = you’ll NEVER look back and say ‘I wish I had spent less time with them’. Let that set in and savor that quality time with your babies, your husband, your mom or anyone that pops in your mind = put the phone away and have that personal one-on-one time together. I have absolutely relished in the gift of time I’ve had here as of late.
When my Gran collapsed in mid-October and I halted my entire life to be with her every day, I didn’t take one single second of that time for granted. I stepped away from work and personal obligations and I was thankful I had the opportunity to do it. I sat by her bed in the hospital and then hospice day in and day out and it’s some of the most joyous moments I’ve had in my adult life. I got to say what I wanted her to know, I got to hold her hands and sing her favorite songs to her and when she left us for her special seat in heaven, my heart was full in knowing I had almost two weeks of getting to see my favorite person just a few more times. Take the time, y’all… life is short, but goodness it is great and NOTHING matters more than family. Never has, never will.
two. reading + writing is so therapeutic
This life lesson has two parts… the first is all things reading: I didn’t check off one of my easiest goals this year… reading a book a month. Sure, that may sound simple and one that’s fairly easy, but alas I failed and that’s OK. I did great my first half of 2024 and then I definitely fell off the wagon the second six months. I find that I sleep SO much better when I read before bed. I turn the technology off, I get cozy snuggled in my bed [with Tucker of course] and then I get to step outside my stress and daily to-do’s for some old school entertainment. I have missed my reading routine so very much, so that is absolutely something I want to remedy in 2025. Especially when it comes to morning devotionals and a bit more quiet time before hitting “go” on crazy, hectic mornings. So if you have any great [short/5 minute] devotionals to send my way, please do!
Now onto the second part: writing. It’s the reason I started this blog way back when in April 2008 = it was my love of writing. It’s crazy to think for those of you who have been there from the beginning how much you’ve seen of my life. From my wedding to the birth of my babies, to career shifts, travel, home renovations and so much life + style, I cannot thank you enough for choosing to share a bit of your days with me… I always tell my girls I may not have completed their baby books to 100%, but they have a darn good play-by-play here on the blog of all their milestones, birthdays, celebrations and more pictures than you could ever imagine. I don’t see myself stopping this anytime soon, so have no fear, you’re stuck with me for good. I just hope I’m able to continue this therapy for as long as you’ll have me.
Just like reading, writing has become another form of my therapy—and honestly, it’s the perfect escape. It’s my chance to reflect on the little moments that make life sweet, like the girls’ latest adventures or a new collection that’s got me excited for the season ahead. There’s just something about putting words on a page [or screen 😉].
Blogging gives me that personal space to unload, get creative, and, most importantly, feel connected to all of you!! It’s not just about sharing style tips—it’s about sharing pieces of life that make it all come together and it truly helps me through the good AND bad days as well as everything in between.
three. be true to yourself, no matter what
The older I get, the wiser I get… well, maybe not, but that’s what I am telling myself. At 41, I have truly found peace in being exactly who God made me to be. I feel like I have turned a corner in recent years, as I value a lot more solo time than ever before and I also find myself realizing that it’s OK not to have my days filled to max capacity. I have also stopped caring so much about what people think and constantly wanting the approval of others which has been SO DAMN refreshing!
I’ve stayed true to who I am = walking away from toxic people, saying NO so I can say YES to other more important things… you feel me?? It’s been a really difficult lesson to learn trust me, but one of the most important by far. I’ve come to realize my gut has pretty good intuition, even when it’s uncomfortable… Whether it’s working through a tough decision, setting a boundary [not barrier as Mimi would say], or just saying “no” to something that doesn’t feel right = I’ve realized that staying true to who I am is always the best option and God hasn’t steered me wrong yet.
So for this next year: let’s all make a pact to stop worrying about pleasing everyone else and start focusing on what makes us happy and fulfilled. Because when you live authentically, everything else starts to fall into place!
four. working out does a body AND mind good
Because you know I am ALWAYS working on my fitness baby!!!! At 41, I am hands down the most physically fit I’ve been in my entire life = now let’s preface that to say that goodness gracious, it comes with lots of motivation + dedication + willpower packed in there as well = but hard work sure does pay off and it feels good. In 2024, I found myself craving time in the gym… weirdo right??? It’s much more than just a way to stay healthy for me—it’s a total mood booster. There’s something about getting active that clears my mind, lifts my spirits and gives me much more positivity, and leaves me feeling energized. Every. single. time… as long as I can will myself out of bed to make it happen!
For me, it’s more than just an arm/leg/full body/cardio workout: it’s a chance to unplug and focus on me for a bit! Whether it’s a quick cardio walk or a full-on 1 hour training session with my trainer Avery… getting that sweat on does wonders for both the body + the mind. AND I’ve noticed that taking care of myself is key to showing up as the best version of myself in all areas of life = especially when it comes to my family and friends. So put on some tunes… your favorite old school rap, a little classic rock ‘n roll = no judgment here as good music always gets me motivated to go above and beyond when I’m in the gym.
five. traveling brings me so much joy
Traveling has officially become my official love language = who needs gifts when you can get a ticket to jet set somewhere fabulous?!! There’s just something magical about packing up the family and hitting the skies [or the road] together. Every trip, big or small, is a new opportunity for cherished memories we can make together and replay for years and years to come. As of now, I have visited 42 of the 50 states and I am hoping to add at least 1 new state this next year = maybe Montana, Oregon or Utah???
The best part of traveling? It’s the quality time with my family, away from the hustle of daily life and seeing new cultures, new destination and of course varied ways of how people do life. We get to laugh, explore, and just be together without life’s crazy distractions. It’s like hitting the reset button = I’m all in for more of that, both personally and professionally [and yes, I’ve got two work trips coming up later this month… one to Cabo, Mexico, and one to Sea Island, Georgia. Here’s to making more memories and adding to the list of my personal travel highlights! After all, my motto is to work hard and play harder.
six. done is better than perfect…. perfectionism is overrated
This one hit home for me this year. I’ve always been the type to tweak, refine and ABSOLUTELY overthink things to death, but 2024 showed me that chasing perfection can be exhausting—and honestly, it’s not worth it. Sometimes, just getting something done is the real victory. … case in point: our first house flip down on 30a. It proved to take months longer than expected due to setbacks and lots of challenges when it came to renovation woes, but the end result was great AND we got it sold within a super short timeframe. Not to mention, Jeff and I had fun doing a project like this together.
Another example: filming reels. To be 100% honest, I am not a huge fan of reels and never have been. I think some people are crazy talented and have a vision to create a super inspiring, well thought out short-form video, but that’s just not me. I prefer pretty pics taken by my photographer… call me old fashioned, but it’s true. I do need to remind myself I don’t have to spend hours on a reel to make something I am proud of. Done is better than perfect!
In summation, perfectionism keeps us stuck. It holds us back from celebrating progress, from taking leaps AND from enjoying the process itself!! This year, I let go of the idea that everything had to look flawless or be exactly as I imagined—and guess what? The world didn’t end! So here’s to embracing imperfection, letting go of the pressure, and finding freedom in just showing up and being my authentic self every single day.
seven. working smarter, not harder pays off
In 2024, I shifted my focus to working smarter = prioritizing what matters, setting boundaries and streamlining processes when + where I could… and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer to my overall productivity!!
Whether it’s simply saying “no,” delegating when possible, or simply recognizing when it’s time to step away and recharge, I’ve seen how much more I can accomplish without running myself into the ground day in and day out. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel all the time = if something works, don’t change it. I am always trying to evolve and create and change my work + brand and sometimes I think I might do that too much. For instance, I need to stick to my newsletter templates that I worked hard to create = I don’t have to constantly change their look + feel = keep it simple and concise so I can spend time working on new content, etc.
Spoiler: it also leaves more time for the things that truly bring me joy. Efficiency isn’t just about productivity—it’s about creating a life that feels balanced and purposeful. Working smarter is the gift that keeps on giving! And yes, this is a topic you’re going to hear more of when my 2025 word of the year blog post debuts next Monday so stay tuned for that announcement as well…
eight. find your work tribe and love them hard
Social media can be a REALLY lonely place. Let’s face it… you’re sitting behind a computer screen most days or you’re on your phone talking to a screen. Sure, it has lots of perks, but with that comes a lot of challenges—especially for a very social person like myself.
I’ve found it SO helpful in recent years having a tightknit group of social media friends. It’s a gamechanger… one because we all know what this career is like and two, it’s so helpful bouncing ideas off one another, sharing insights as to what works and what doesn’t and honestly having a safe space of people to work through this career with because it can be a very lonely space to be in.
Gone are the days when I was in corporate marketing and had friends to eat lunch out with… or drink coffee with and talk about life to. Sure, that may sound small but I am so thankful to have found real life friends I can reach out to, complain to about Instagram’s latest algorithm changes, or honestly just vent with. So my work circle may be virtual most times, but sometimes we get the opportunity to come together and have fun, go on a trip to take you along with us for a new adventure, etc.
Case in point: these ladies above. Some of them I have known for years and years and others are recent friendships I’ve formed over the past year. But I am thankful we have come together—through Shop Avara no less— and found some really great women who champion each other, talk strategy when necessary, but also love to have a good time and are open, honest and totally inspiring all at the same time. Most of us are headed to Cabo in a few weeks and I am counting down the days until I get to squeeze them and see them in the tropics for some much needed sunshine and laughs.
nine. color is my favorite neutral
This might not come as much of a shock, but for more recent readers… I’ve fully embraced the idea that color can be a neutral. Gone are the days of defaulting to black, white, and beige for everything— I haven’t done that in years personally, but I am divulging some very important information in the hopes that YOU can step outside of your comfort zone and say no to beige and boring as much as possible. I’ve seen thousands and thousands of reels + videos where every single piece of decor and home furnishings are neutrals and I’m the first one to tell you it’s too vanilla = it lacks personality in my opinion and it’s too cookie cutter for me.
There is SO much more fun to be hard when you own you love color and don’t spiral down some random trend just because everyone else is doing it. I assure you it’s a lot more fun when you wear a bright pop of cool coral or if you take a chance and paint a room in your home a deep shade of blue.
Not only does color have this amazing way of instantly lifting your mood, but it makes even the simplest things feel special! This past year, I have certainly leaned into more color AND pattern into my wardrobe. Not only in clothing and apparel, but in even more fun accents and decorative details throughout our home as well. And it’s refreshing to see it all come to life. Life is WAY too short for a grayscale palette in your persona… trust me. Try it and you just might like it, too!
ten. my biggest pet peeve is a copycat
There I said it… this is the biggest revelation for me from 2024 and it’s a hard one. It’s really hard when people you know in real life copy your every move and honestly it’s exhausting to watch it unfold right in front of your eyes. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but for me, it’s downright disappointing and I want to scream it out loud “get your own ideas”!
I’ve seen it play out over and over again this past year and it was exhausting = I know I can’t change someone, so I made a point to change what I could to redirect my focus. It’s really weird when you have people on the internet reaching out to you talking about how much they see people doing the exact same thing as you and using it as their own work… that’s when I knew I had to change some things to make sure my ideas stay my own.
I did my best not to let it get to me… but as the frequency + boldness of copycats seemed to get stronger and stronger, and it became much harder for me to simply ignore it or laugh it off as flattery. The truth of the matter is that I spend hours and hours creating content, writing blog posts, shopping sales to share with you, etc and it’s exhausting to see copycats using it as their own [and honestly kinda creepy as well]. On some days, it doesn’t bother me, but on others, I found myself getting really upset by it so I’ve gone to great lengths to create lots more original ideas that hopefully won’t be replicated… and if they are, well then I guess more direct conversations will have to be had. But it’s a big lesson I learned in 2024 and a valuable one at that. In short, be who you are… better to be loved for your authentic self than a duplicate of someone else!
So there you have it… 10 lessons I learned in 2024. More lessons to be learned this year I’m certain of it and I hope this has been helpful and maybe a bit of reflecting you can do to see just how much YOU accomplished these past twelve months as well. It’s been SO much fun doing a little deep dive into all things from the past year: if you missed my other recaps, you can read them here:
Be the first to comment