Be sure to check out the new Daily Sales Flash page for my picks for the LOFT 50% off sale, the AE 25% off sale, and UGGs on sale!
Top: J.Crew Factory Scallop Cami (0P)
Belt: Gucci Double G (dupe!)
Bottom: Rag & Bone High Rise Ankle Skinny (24) – (similar – on sale!)
Shoes: Schutz ‘Blasiana’ Pump (5.5 / TTS) – (similar)
Sunglasses: Gucci GG0106S – (dupe!)
Life Lessons Learned:
LESSON 1: Value My Time and Invest It Wisely
Time is the only thing we can never get back. There is never enough time for everything that I want or even need to do. Even now, as I’m up past midnight writing this post, I’m sacrificing my sleep and leaving dishes still in the sink as I’ve decided to prioritize writing down these thoughts that have been rumbling in my head instead. There are so many parts of my life that are important to me: my family, my work, my blog, and my fitness.
In the past, I had always prioritized my kids above all else but what I realized what that I wasn’t prioritizing my marriage enough. When my kids were young and depended on me for so much, so much of my attention in turn was focused on making sure they were provided for. What I didn’t realize was that I wasn’t investing enough time with my husband. For us, date nights weren’t enough and I realized that I really needed to carve out time after the kids went to bed on weeknights for us to reconnect. Marriage is hard work and even though we did have a few rough months early on last year, I’m so happy that our relationship is now as strong as it’s ever been.
Similarly, I also realized that there were too many weekends that were slipping by where I spent hours shooting photos and working on blog campaigns instead of enjoying that time with my family. I’ve always valued all the amazing opportunities that blogging has given me, but I’ve had to learn to be incredibly selective and say no more than ever as that time comes at the price of me making memories with my husband and kids instead.
LESSON 2: There Is No Such Thing As Work-Life Balance
Working full-time, managing this blog, and living my life was all so much easier when I was still in my 20s. Back then I felt like I was able to juggle it all reasonably well but as I’ve grown older, had kids, advanced in my work career, and just acquired more responsibilities, there are many days when it seems like a crazy rollercoaster ride. I wrote a bit about my struggles with balancing motherhood with work previously, and what I’ve come to realize is that balance doesn’t exist.
What’s worked for me is more like waves. I try to maintain no more than a 9-hour workday 4 days a week and will have one day (Thursday for me) where I will put in extra hours to catch up and get it all done. I know for me if I’m always putting in long hours at work, my productivity actually goes down after about 50 hours. Instead, if I have one day a week where I allow myself to stay late, I make sure that I make good use of that extra time and knock out the lingering todos.
When it comes to maximizing my time spent blogging, I do try to batch up my work as much as possible as well as find ways to automate my process. I have shortcuts programmed when it comes to editing photos, take multiple outfit photos whenever possible, and am working on batching up my writing process as well. I’m constantly tweaking my process and the programmer in me is always identifying tasks that I’m doing more than once to see if I can automate it. 😅
LESSON 3: Put Yourself Out There
As someone who’s an introvert, it can be hard to constantly put myself out there. There are so many ways to share parts of my life now, especially through social media, and a mistake I made last year was to get overwhelmed with it all. I didn’t know how I wanted to use Instagram stories and so I just didn’t really show up when it came to that medium. I stuck with what I felt comfortable in and I’ll admit that in a way, I grew complacent. I found that my channel wasn’t growing and I wasn’t connecting with my audience to my full potential.
Top: J.Crew Factory Scallop Cami (0P)
Belt: Gucci Double G (dupe!)
Bottom: Rag & Bone High Rise Ankle Skinny (24) – (similar – on sale!)
Shoes: Schutz ‘Blasiana’ Pump (5.5 / TTS) – (similar)
Sunglasses: Gucci GG0106S – dupe
My 2019 Theme
How are you changing it up for 2019? What are your life lessons learned from 2018?
Loving this life lessons learned feature? Take a look here for more of my wellness favorites!
keelyelise says
Love the cardigan! Such an inspiring post x
– keelyelise
Gowri says
Loved this article and it throws many things to learn as well.
Thank you for sharing!
Nancy says
What a lovely cardigan and those shoes are amazing too!
Nataly says
I love that cardigan on you! Also, I love your theme for the year. I need to a better job of getting out of my comfort zone this year.
Taylor Mobley says
I love this theme!! Such a great way to go into 2019!
Stephanie says
It was interesting to read how there’s no work-life balance for you. I think that’s becoming more and more true for so many people – and sometimes the best thing to do is embrace it! Here’s to you accomplishing your goals in 2019!
Liz says
This sweater is the cutest! I love the color and how chunky it is!
Sharon Wu says
omg pink is soooo your color babe i am obsessed with that cardi on you! xx
Moonsparkle (ZM) says
Thanks for sharing, Kileen. I can relate to No. 3 because i’m also quite intoverted and can struggle with putting myself out there. It seems weird that we’re already halfway through January! Wishing you a wonderful rest of Jan and 2019 ahead! 🙂
Zania
CANDACE says
This is so true!! Specially number 2. Its really hard to find balance and time for everything, but family comes first. So definitely need to make time for that.
XO
CANDACE
HTTP//WWW.THEBEAUTYBEAU.COM
Tonya Morris says
I love your lessons learned and your theme for 2019!
Anabelle says
This is so great! I also love your cardigan.
Tuyet says
I see that cardigan everywhere now! It’s so cute
Laura Leigh says
Completely agree with these! Definitely lessons I have learned as well. Especially the no work-life balance – that is SO true! Cheers to a great 2019!
xo Laura Leigh
LOUELLA REESE
E says
SO many great lessons learned in 2018!
Sarah Lindner says
Love this cardigan – right up my alley!!!
xoxo Sarah
Deborah says
I loved reading your lessons – you’re so wise! And I love that you’re going to try and get out of your comfort zone this year!
Tara Fuller says
YOU are a lady boss!
Stephanie Caligiuri says
I have this cardi too! It’s the cutest!!
xx,
Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
Inna Pishtoy says
I love this post! I hope 2019 will be a great year for you!
http://innapishtoy.com/
Erica Valentin says
UGH i totally struggle trying to balance work, family life as a mom and wife, and the blog…….but i think it will always be a struggle ….it’s a lot to keep up with!
Love that Pink pom pom cardi though!
Maureen says
Great post Kileen! Love what you wrote and how it pertained to your personal live. I can relate to all 3 especially number 2. I have also come down to terms that there isn’t a balance. So we all just have to do what we can that works for us. Love your pom cardigan. It’s such a beauty!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Annie says
What a gorgeous outfit! I have been eyeing that sweater for awhile and I think you’ve convinced me to order it!
Suzanne says
Those are a ton of lessons in one year! LOL. Aside from that, I love Chicwish and all the clothes they carry. Top quality at an affordable price. xo, Suzanne
Morgan says
I love your theme for 2019!! Getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow and I can’t wait to see what 2019 holds for you!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Sara Kelley says
These are great realizations and all very true, especially about the work-life balance. If found that to be pretty difficult myself (haven’t we all), especially transitioning into a new career path and job altogether. Putting yourself out there is one of those things many of us learn of as we get older. Given the realm of social media, it’s a matter if you’re really putting yourself out there, or someone you’re pretending to be. Great post love!
Sara Kelley
http://www.mindovermango.com
Julia Corot Comil says
Love this cozy sweater!! So cute!
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
I really enjoyed reading this Kileen. It is so hard to balance everything and a successful blog is often run my a small team so no wonder it is a stretch for us lone rangers. Cute cardi! x Maria
https://www.passionfruitpawsandpeonies.com
Jessica A Jannenga says
So pretty on you ! I have seen this pom pom sweater throughout the blogosphere and I love it with your pretty bow pumps. I want it in olive!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Lindsay says
I can completely relate to 1! I’ve had a lot of the same realizations!
Elise says
I LOVE these pom pom sweaters!! This pink one is so pretty and looks beautiful on you!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Ada says
I love what you wrote here Kileen. I agree 100% with numbers 1 + 2. I love your mantra for the new year though. Good luck with all your goals!
Outfit-wise I loved this look. The cardigan and pumps are stunning! I loved this outfit so much I featured it on Thursday Moda today {http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2019/01/thursday-moda-152-winter-in-beanies.html} so make sure you join the linkup, and while you are there join the “Skirting the Rules” linkup too. Thanks and enjoy the weekend! =)
http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2019/01/skirting-rules-leather-and-plaid-pencil.html