With Christmas a few days away I have found myself stopping to think about everything that went on this past year and how different life is now than on January 1st.
A year ago we were living in South Carolina. We moved to Charlotte, I got promoted, and then Ridge left in June. It didn’t hit me till I wrote that last sentence just how much changed- my job, our house, and most of all my family. 2018 couldn’t have turned out more differently than I thought it would at the beginning of this year.
Looking back I see how everything I went through had an impact on blogging too. My photographer changed once Ridge left as he took the majority of the photos. Priorities shifted and constantly churning blog posts and new outfits for Instagram fell lower on the priority list after becoming a single parent. But even so I began to feel an intense burnout. In late August I took three weeks off blogging and when I came back I struggled with a sense of purpose. After everything I had been through writing light hearted captions to post with cute outfits for Instagram lost a lot of its appeal.
I started sharing more about life, about the hard things like anxiety and self doubt and what it was like keeping up with three jobs. Less flawless, more real talk. I was scared you might not stick around but you did. And the crazy thing is you loved and accepted me for me.
You were so supportive. Every time I think back to the month of July, one of the hardest of my life, I have to smile because I remember the messages I got from so many of you. You wrote to offer your love and support, to tell me about your past relationships and how everything ultimately turned out and to let me know you were there to listen if wanted or needed. It was in the darkest moments I realized what a gift this community is.
Although 2018 turned out differently than I thought it would, I never thought I would end it with such a heartfelt group of people cheering me on. I love each and every one of you more than you know. Thank you, THANK YOU for from the bottom of my heart for letting me be me and sticking with me through the ups and downs.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and holiday of love, peace, joy and special memories with your family. Love you MEAN IT! and I can’t wait to hear from you soon.
XO,
Terra
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turtleneck // earrings // similar jeans (on sale) // boots (on sale), similar for less here //
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Sending love your way, Terra! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Xx, Kelsey
http://www.kelseyybarnes.com
Author
Thank you Kelsey. I hope you do too girlie!
Aww I loved this post. Thank you so much for being so open and honest. Life isn’t alwaus glamorous so it’s easy to relate to you. Many blessing for 2019. I hope it’s your best yet.
Author
Thank you Courtney. I’m so glad we have connected. Wish we lived closer! 2019 is going to be awesome, I can feel it!
Such a sweet post! I can’t imagine what you have been through. You will always have my full support!! Since I was new to insta world I didn’t really understand how it all worked. You and a few others are my favorite bloggers. Thanks for getting the time to know me as well! I kept my account private as I knew I didn’t want my life open for anyone to see. I love your content and how real and open you are. Thanks again for always appreciating my comments!! Xoxo
Author
I’m so glad you’re here Young. And thank you again for reaching out when I took the time off Insta in August-September. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week! <3
So sweet Babe! You are by far one of the most real bloggers out there. I hope 2019 is such an amazing year for you, filled with health, happiness, success and love!!!
Author
Girl you are so sweet and your support means so much. Hope you have an incredible 2019…talk to you soon!
Awww so sweet! I hope 2019 is only up hill from here girl! We are all on the struggle bus too many times !!! Never forget that even the prettiest ig feed /instagrammed has dark days we don’t always hear about and it take a brave person to share the hard times with thousands of strangers xoxo
Author
So true. I don’t know why that’s so easy for me to forget sometimes?! Thanks for being there!! <3 XOXO
I hate that you went through all that. I didn’t realize y’all had just moved before everything else. I can totally relate, I had major upheaval in my life this year too. Career, finances, relationships, seems like everything blew up at once. Crazy how that happens isn’t it?!? 2018 was truly a tough year wasn’t it?? Guess the only good thing we can say is that we survived! I’m hoping 2019 will bring much better changes in my life. Hope the same will be true for you too!
Author
Oh girl, I am so sorry to hear you went through that too. Are you doing ok now? It’s hard for me to remember sometimes, but we’re always stronger after the hardest things we go through. I’ve heard things come in threes, so I have a feeling next year we will get some good things coming in threes! <3 Thanks for being here and I hope you have a wonderful holiday. <3
Hmm I forgot the rule of 3s! Good point! And yes things are better now. Hoping we all have a much better year next year! Hope you and your family have a great Christmas too!
Author
So glad to hear. Here’s to that!! Merry Christmas girl and thank you so much for being here. <3
Aww I am so proud of you girl for what you have overcame this past year and I know it has been a rough year for you. Life is never easy or fair…we go through ups and downs. Things always get better with time… l wish you all the best for 2019! Love always❤️ xo
Author
Thank you Helena. You are an inspiriation girl for everything you have faced and conquered in life. Thankful this holiday for the gift of our friendship! <3