What’s in Store for 2018

Five four days left in 2017…wait, what? This year feels like a blur when I look back. Both my babes had surgery (Ridge for his knee and Juliana for her tonsils), my girl turned four and the three of us traveled coast to coast. It was a year of blessings: Ridge and I grew and celebrated a year back together, Juliana’s growth is finally on track after her tonsillectomy and I got promoted- but it was also ripe with challenges. If I had to choose a word to describe 2017, it would be growth- we grew as a family, I leveled up in my job, and after lots of work (and many, many late nights) this blog found its wings.

sweater dress (on sale) // jacket // belt // boots, similar for less here

Growth. Whether it’s personal or professional growth is exciting but it can also be quite uncomfortable! In terms of blogging, I’ve found myself constantly outside my comfort zone in 2017- and what’s more the realization I need to stay outside if I want to survive and grow. The blogging world- from social media to the way bloggers are percieved- is evolving at a crazy rate while at the same time I’m learning more and more things I need to do or do differently to continue to succeed.

Sweatshirt, also love this one // jeans (similar here and here) // layered necklace set // belt (similar for less here) // sandals // bag- Louis Vuitton Croisette // full post here

In 2018 I want to continue learning and implementing what I learn- but unless I make a bigger change that means more time…and that’s somthing I’m already so short on! This has made me realize I need to get better at planning and allocating those hours where they’ll have the biggest impact. I need a better framework to operate in and this is something I have to admit I am lacking right now.

And this brings me to my #1 New Year’s resolution: planning. You know how some people are natural planners? Yeah, not this girl. My natural tendency is to fly by the seat of my pants- but when it comes to balancing motherhood, a career and a blog I’m finding this no longer works. :/ To plan I need to first get crystal clear on my goals, then write down the tactics I need to do to achieve them. Once I do that I can plan the activities that matter and avoid the ones that don’t. My goal though with planning further out is that I’ll have more free time to spend with Ridge and Juliana.

thermal top // beanie // jeans- similar // booties- similar // Bag- med. Prada Saffiano (similar for less here)

If I have one regret in 2017, it is not slowing down to take in the memories we create as a family. Every day and every week is full of the most beautiful moments (I feel like I’m getting a rush of dopamine every time I look at Juliana, I love that little girl so much) but when I look back some of it feels like a blur because I’ve been so busy. While Ridge and I build in family time, as much as I hate to admit sometimes I’ll find myself not “present” in these precious moments. I’ll catch myself checking Instagram over dessert or mentally thinking through a blog post while on the floor playing with Juliana because it’s due that night. My hope is that better planning in 2018 will make it easier to be present, but either way it’s something I’m going to change in 2018.

Free People sweater (on sale!) // faux leather leggings (similar) // Valentino rockstud pumps (similar for less here and here) // earrings

What’s in store for 2018?

I’ve shared what I want to do differently in the new year, so now here’s a peak at what we have going on. (As you can see there’s a lot of opportunities to practice my new resolution to plan!)

glitter water bottle// white moto leggings // pink hoodie // sneakers (35% off in grey here)

Looking Ahead: Family and Work

As I shared in this post, we’re moving back to Charlotte in January, so the first few months of 2018 will be spent adjusting to a new routine, a new house, and a new preschool for Juliana…and the funnest part- decorating our digs. I’m SO excited to decorate and can’t wait to put together and organize our new space!

January is also when I start my new role at Turkey Hill, so the first few months will be exciting and hectic in the job department, especially since Ridge will be changing roles too. Once we get through the first quarter though, we want to start planning our wedding. Ridge and I have been engaged for a year and finding the time to plan our wedding is something we plan to, err, plan in 2018. 🙂

sequin skirt (also love this one) // black turtleneck

Looking Ahead: Fifteen Minutes to Flawless

The biggest thing I want to do more of in 2018 is delivering better on Fifteen Minutes to Flawless’ mission. I want make every blog post, Instagram share or YouTube tutorial truly helpful and worth your time to view. To this end, I’m going to create more video content as I feel it’s often the best way to demonstrate and share tips and ideas with you. I also want to continue learning- which involves planning time to research and test new techniques to see what works and is worth sharing.

The biggest thing I want to do less of in 2018 is minimzing the time I spend on blogging activities that don’t further FMF’s mission. As I shared in this post, Instagram is an important platform but it’s also an easy trap to get distracted by unhealthy comparison. Similarly, I want to continue losing that grip on perfectionism where it doesn’t matter- whether it’s the time I spend writing a post or filming a tutorial. I want to create more helpful content that’s not perfect, rather than the other way around!

poncho // long sleeve tee // boots, similar for less here // bag- Prada Saffiano Cuir in medium, similar for less here

Whew- as you can see there’s a lot in store for 2018! As 2017 comes to a close I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and taking the time to come to my blog. It means the world and many times it’s what’s motivated me to continue despite the challenges that have cropped up. Blogging is wayyy harder than I ever imagined when I started and your support means everything to me. I love each of you more than you will ever know!

I can’t wait to continue this journey in 2018 and get to know each other better. <3

Love always,

Terra