Hey Everyone! I can not believe that 2017 has come and gone and the first month of 2018 is pretty much over. As many of you know I stepped away from blogging recently, so this is why this post is just now being shared. I am ready to kick off STH for 2018 and make my blog the best it has ever been (compared to previous years). I have a lot of new and exciting things in the works for STH. Stay tuned! For now, let’s take a look back at 2017, then I’ll share my 2018 goals.
2017 Recap & Reflections
Personal: 2017 was a very hectic year for me, There were a lot of ups and downs, but I am very grateful for those experiences because it taught me a lot about myself.
January took off without any hesitation when it came to my work life. I’m not going to lie work kicked my butt because there was absolutely no down time throughout the year. I am extremely proud of myself because I stayed positive even when curve balls were thrown my way (which is typically hard for me to do).
Despite all of the craziness from work I did have some amazing moments in 2017. One of the most exciting moments for me was in May when I got in engaged. I was kind of expecting it but told myself to not get my hopes up, in case it did not happen. Of course with being newly engaged, came wedding planning, which has been in full force since the week after we got engaged (I was not wasting any time).
In between the craziness of work and wedding planning, I made sure to have some fun. I made it a goal to spend more time with my family and friends. I’m so grateful for all of the moments I got to make and I wish some of them did not have to end.
With all of those great moments, came sadness starting in October. Those of you who read my blog frequently, know the situation that occurred with my grandparents. Those situations hit me hard and made the rest of 2017 literally a living hell for me. The pain has slowly gotten easier to deal with but it’s still there. I will say that the pain and sadness taught me to cherish the time you have with the ones you love. Tomorrow is never promised, so make the best of your time. The only positive that came out of these situations is that it taught me that I am stronger than I give myself credit for.
Blog: 2017 brought a lot of growth for STH and I could not be more grateful for that. I was blessed with so many opportunities and learned so much about blogging.
One of my main goals for STH was to start pitching myself to brands. It was so nerve wrecking at first to put myself out there but I’m so glad I did (never give up on yourself or your dreams). I got to work with some amazing brands that I loved and got introduced to some new ones as well.
With the growth of STH came a lot of learning and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Of course there was a lot of trail and error, which is expected. I know that I still have a lot to learn, which I am taking day by day.
I want to thank each of you for supporting me along my blogging journey. All of your comments, love and encouragement does not go unnoticed. I am so very thankful for all of you and I hope to continue to build relationships with y’all.
New Year Goals
Blogging Goals
Build Relationships With Fellow Bloggers// I really want to start connecting with bloggers more this year. I feel that building a tribe is so important when it comes to blogging. Without other bloggers support I would have given up on blogging a long time ago. Thankfully my blogging friends always pushed me to keep going. I’m so grateful for them! So here’s to making new blogging friends and continuing the relationships I have already made.
Grow On Social Media// Last year I was able to grow my social media but it took a lot of work and time. I changed my strategies on how I posted, when I posted, etc and it really worked for me.
Instagram Currently: 1,232 Goal: 2,500 This is probably a huge stretch for me because Instagram is either really great at times or really horrible.
Twitter Currently: 557 Goal: 650 Not going to lie I do not use Twitter as much as I should, so I really want to work on that this year.
Pinterest Currently: 2,186 Goal: 4,000 I love Pinterest a lot and it is a huge source of traffic for me. I plan on working a lot more on my Pinterest strategy this year.
Change the look of STH// This is something that is currently in the works. I am so excited about it because it’s been long overdue. I hope that the new look pays off. I will be sticking with the same color scheme for the most part.
Get STH facebook page up and going// I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile but honestly I’ve focused so much energy on Instagram, that making a fb page has not been on the top of my list.
Personal
Focus on self care// I love being able to pamper myself, even if it’s just sitting around reading a book. I feel that this is really going to help me feel more energized again. I’ll be having a self care challenge coming soon to the blog!
Work out regularly// I want to be in the best shape that I can be this year. I slacked a good bit last year and really want to get my butt into gear. I know that working out will not only help me lose weight but will help me feel better altogether.
Start saving more money// I need to stop spending money on things I truly don’t need (let’s hope I can stop myself from impulse buys). As much as I love shopping, I tend to buy so many things that I already have.
Spend more time with family & friends// With everything that happened towards the end of the year, I feel that time is too short. I want to spend as much time as I can with the one’s I love.
Thanks so much for stopping by and catching up with me today. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your support! Here’s to making 2018 the best year ever!
What are some of your reflections from last year? What are your goals for this year?
I’d love to know in the comments below.
these are great reflections and goals of the new year! i def want to grow in social media as well! you got this girl!
Thank You Cait! Seeing that I went back on a blogging break, I really need to work on growing my social media accounts. Good luck with growing your’s!!! 🙂
I’m putting myself on a sort of spending freeze in February. I only want to spend money on things we need for our baby! haha Nothing like a life change to motivate change. Instagram has been tough for me too!
Marette I completely understand the freeze!! I have been thinking about doing one soon to save up more money for my wedding. That’s an awesome reason though for a spend! How exciting!! Instagram for me is really awesome or really horrible.
You and I have so many of the same goals so i’m so happy we’re in each other’s corners when it comes to this biz. You know I’m always here cheering you on. I definitely want to work on building relationships with fellow bloggers more, too and growing all my social media channels is a huge priority. I struggle with Twitter but I feel like if one of them has to go then it’s that one.
Make the FB page for your blog. You won’t regret it. It was such a game changer when I did and it’s so easy to keep up with! I’m kinda obsessed with it now. IG will always have me though. I can’t wait to see the new blog design. I get excited when I think about the ones we talked about. No matter what you go with it’ll look so good.
Cheers to a new year girl! This is the year you get married. It’ll be an amazing year!!!
Sweet friend! Great minds think alike! I am so glad we are in the same corner as well. You have been such a blessing to me since we crossed each other’s paths. Seeing that I have been absent from blogging over the past few months, I really need to get back into connecting with fellow bloggers. Thankfully I am slowly getting back into the grind of blogging after a failed attempt previously of trying to start again. Oh well. It happens. Life comes first. 🙂
I feel like no matter how much I tweet,etc that Twitter isn’t a big platform for me. I have grown though a good bit recently. So we shall see what happens with it. I made the fb page for my blog but have not got it going yet. Seeing I am in the process of changing the look of STH, I am waiting to get that together. It’s coming though! Thank you again for always cheering me on!! I greatly appreciate it!
So many great goals for this year! I think 2017 was bumpy for so many! I’ve been focusing on self love and taking care of myself more this year!
Thank You Rachel! I will say that I am glad that 2017 is gone! Hoping that 2018 will be much better! Taking care of ourselves is so important!
If you ever need help pitching to brands, I’ve got a course for that – that was hands down THE gamechanger in turning my blog into my fulltime job! You’ve got great goals, GF – you’ve got this!!
Thank You Erica!! I actually have signed up for it but need to get with you further on it!! 🙂
Those sounds like great goals! I like the book you are reading! I’d like to read it myself!
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Thank You Beth! You should definitely read the book!! It’s been really good so far!
You have so many great goals! Social media is something I truly want to focus on this year too! You got this! (:
Thank You Felicia!! I appreciate that!! Social media is your best friend or your worst enemy as a blogger. Lol.
I loved reading more about your goals for the year! Especially your social media increases–I hope you absolutely CRUSH them, girl! Also, I agree about making connections and relationships with other bloggers because it is SO important!
Thank You Kiara!! I am slowly growing my social media channels this year. Let’s hope it works!! Yes connecting with other bloggers is key!
Welcome back! I am sorry that 2017 was so tough for you. Congrats on getting engaged though! Love your goals for this year and I have very similar ones when it comes to blogging. I definitely agree with you about building relationships with other bloggers being so important! I used to have some great blogger friends, but they have all stopped blogging now so I am looking for new friends to connect with <3 Great to have found your blog!
Thank You Jess!! The end of 2017 was not the best for me at all. I know with time, things will get much better. I loved your goals for this month!! You got this! I am slowly building my blogging tribe. So glad that we have gotten to meet though blogging! Would love to be your blogging friend.
January was crazy for me! I want to grow my social media channels as well. Good luck with everything!
Alix I just had to step back in January to take some time to breath. Good luck with growing your social media channels!
You have such great goals & your 2017 sounds amazing. Im trying to grow my Pinterest.. im concentating on that. I wish all the best. Lmk if you need any Twitter tips. Its been my biggest growth in 2017 ?
Thank You Marisa! Pinterest has been a huge help with driving traffic to my blog; however, I want to start focusing more on my strategy. I will definitely get with you on Twitter if I am having issues! 🙂
I need to work out regularly too. I completely missed that goal in Jan so Feb it is!
Taylor it happens girl! I just want to get back into a healthy routine.