 Most people say "never look back". but sometimes this isn't a bad thing. I'm a big fan of blogging for that reason. It is a great way to see what I have done in the past 12 months. Some of these projects, I thought I had done a few weeks ago when, in actuality, it has been months. It's crazy how much the blog grows every year - just look at my 2013 recap haha! It's important to see what you have learned and what you still have to learn. I recently read the 2015 recap and realized that while the blog has grown in opportunities, there is still a whole lot of work to do. Here are 5 things I have learned from 2016 and how these lessons have created my goals for 2017:  Learn To Do LessA few months ago, I read this post, fell in love with the concept, and tried to implement it to my own life. However, I didn't realize how addicted I was to blogging until this year. The need to click that "publish" button became a real worry every day and that's no way to live, espeically when textile design is my main focus. One blog post takes concept brainstorming, writing, photography, editing, editing and more editing. A lot of time and effort goes into each post, After reading this book about tidying and this book about chasing slow, I'm ready to truly do less to get more out of life. Goal for 2017: Slow blogging  One ShopThis piggybacks off of my "learn to do less". I love so many of my manufacturers and they have helped me out in so many ways that I couldn't part with any of them. However, this stretched me out way too thin and my lovely guests didn't know where to find the things they wanted. Cozy Reverie needs to have only one main shop where we have full control of design and contact with every single one of our lovely guests. Good news: this is already in the works! Goal for 2017: More brand focus  Leave the DIY to the ProsAnd by that, I mean the tutorials. While I love teaching, it isn't my main focus. There are so many amazing DIY bloggers out there (just follow my pinterest for proof) so I will have to resist the urge to teach. The making will continue! I just won't be providing the step-by-steps. Goal for 2017: Less overwhelm  Keep LearningYou never stop learning when you own a small business. I am currently enrolled in three classes to learn something that I have always been to uncomfortable to do: marketing myself. This has always been a fear of looking vain or conceited. "Who cares what other people think?" is much easier said than done. I almost didn't add this lesson to the list for fear of being judged for not knowing it all yet. However, I feel it's important to be honest, especially to new bloggers out there. I don't know it all and that's okay. It's exciting to discover new ways to grow as a business and as an individual. Goal for 2017: Be brave  Take Better CareLooking back at old blog posts revealed how much weight I have gained. Yep, this is real life. My metabolism has always been tough and my willpower is practically non-existent. Health is something that most people let fall to the wayside but it should always be a priority. Yes, I absolutely love pizza and refuse to quit it. It's just about commmiting to a healthy balance. Time to be an adult! Goal for 2017: Reach goal weight by June 2017  Make More Time for MeBy "me", I mean myself and my family. Working full-time while also balancing freelance art has taken its toll on our downtime in recent months. There is actually very little downtime nowadays so I need to reprogram my brain to let myself take a break. I dont always have to be doing something. I am allowed to read, play board games, watch TV without the distraction of a laptop/tablet...you know, truly experience life. This might actually be the hardest thing on my list of goals for the year, but it's the one I am most determined to achieve. Goal for 2017: One hour a day for just myself and/or family There you have it! 2016 has laid the groundwork for a very promising 2017!
What have you learned from this past year? Post your goals below!
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