Oh, hey 2018. Didn’t see ya there.
Looking back on a past year can certainly bring up many feelings and reveal a lot of changes that may have occurred over those 365 days. I like to take a little look back and pull out the big lessons, discoveries, and happy moments that will help me into the new year and I’d love to share those in today’s post. From life lessons to beauty finds, here are my top takeaways of the past year.
understanding the power of your word
The first time I came across this information in an in-depth way was over the past year when I read through The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)
I particularly paid attention to the implication of this agreement on gossip and have really focused on not talking about others at all. This includes little comments about coworkers, family members, “ex” friends etc. I’m a little embarrassed at how long it’s taken me to absorb this concept in its fullness but I came across this information at a time when I needed it and I’m grateful for that. There’s no time to waste on others, when we have our own projects and happiness to work on!
I later found this beautiful quote in my latest read, I Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and bethatgirl
My Self Help Genre Friends
Yes, they are my friends. I talked a lot about this discovery already, but I will reiterate here because it was such an important part of my year. I’ve never been a reader (a fact I’m not particularly proud of, but couldn’t help it) until I picked up GIRLBOSS
In addition to GIRLBOSS and The Four Agreements, here are a couple others that I would suggest to start off your self help genre journey:
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Blog Improvements
This past year was the biggest for me in terms of understanding how to grow and improve my blog. I wrote a few blog posts about my finds but I can tell you that the best move I made was switching to self hosting. If anyone out there is reading this and thinks they can’t make a beautiful website, they are mistaken! I knew nothing when I started out and self-taught and googled my way through everything. It is so possible to have the blog of your dreams and drive a bunch of traffic to it too! 😉
Take a peek at my post about upgrades to your blog, and using SEO to bring in traffic.
Beauty Finds
A year end recap wouldn’t be complete without a little chat about my favorite finds in the beauty space. I came across a handful of beauuutiful green beauty products this year that have made their way into my everyday.
I found THE best facial oil for addressing breakouts and blemishes and balancing complexion –Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Facial Oil – 1.7 oz
I have a new everyday foundation that has the very light amount of coverage I prefer and leaves a natural, dewy look – Glossier Skin Tint (I wear shade “dark”) -> get 10% off with my link!
I started sleeping on a silk pillowcase every night. It’s been an amazing way to help me retain moisture in my skin and keep my hair from frizzing too much in the morning.
Possibly my favorite discovery in the beauty world of 2017 was figuring out how to do my own gel nail polish at home. I am so hooked on doing this that I do my own every two weeks and have flawless nails every day without ever paying for that pricey manicure. I wrote a how-to post a while back and I highly suggest this for those that are good at painting nails and want to save a little mula.
I hope all of you are looking forward to bigger and brighter things in this upcoming year and can look back on 2017 and learn from everything that’s happened – the good and bad. I wish all of you a beautiful 2018 and I’ll talk to you then! 😉
Buon anno!
Amanda ❤️
Inspiring!
Happy New Year!
Author
Thank you girl, Happy New Year to you as well 💕
Enjoyed reading this! ♡ Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in 2018!
Author
Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you too! ✨
Dear, if you like the way Ruiz writes, definitely read his ”Mastery of Love” you will love it! I am always looking for books that build on my self-growth, if you have nay, please let me know! XX
Ankita | Beautistaa.com | Smile, Shine & Style
Author
Hi Ankita, thank you for this suggestion. I’ve seen this book in stores but haven’t yet bought it, not sure why. I think this may be a sign that I should now ✨ thank you!!
U will love it! Have a grt new year’s eve
Author
Thank you! Happy New Year to you xo
I’ve been meaning to read the Four Agreements. It’s on my to read list. I definitely have to make it a priority. I totally agree with the self help books they been part of my growth this year. Girl Boss was actually my first one this year lol. Great post ✨
Author
Omg that’s funny. You will love The Four Agreements, it’s fantastic. Wishing you all the best this New Year! xo
Thanks girl and wishing you the best too!
Happy New Year darling!!
Author
Happy New Year to you too!!
Great post 🙂 Happy New Year, also I love that skirt 🙂
Author
Thank you! Happy New Year to you too! The skirt is actually on sale – it’s amazing -> it’s here!
Thanks, it’s sold out now but I’ll just love it on you instead 😉
Author
Oh no, sorry! (and thank you!) It was just in stock still, must have sold out quickly. There are a bunch of similar ones out there though! 😉
Happy New Year… Great post… Beautiful eyes 😉
Hi! I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award because I really like your content. Check out what you have to do next in my new post: https://rinasees.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/sunshine-blogger-award-nomination/
Author
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me! 💕
Happy New Year! I was totally against creating my own website because I thought it would be super hard, but reading your blog improvements and your post about your blog updates, I think I’m going to give it a try! I want to give my blog a personal touch & have total freedom!
Great reflections & takeaways for 2027!
Ayannie | http://www.foreveryannell.com | All Things Sassy, Heart-felt, & Exciting
Author
So happy to hear this! It’s definitely a whole different (and more exciting) ball game when you self-host. Good luck and Happy New Year to you! 💕
Great post! I’ve heard a lot of good things about “The Subtle Art Of Not Giving a F*ck.” Definitely going to pick that one up in my next book haul. ❤️
Author
Thank you! Yeah I had heard about the book so many times that I knew I had to give it a go! It’s great so far, really cool.
love this!!!
Author
Thank you!!
Love the post, hello 2018!
Author
Thank you! Yes!!
Sounds like a great year 🙂 Hope 2018 is just as good!
http://briannamarielifestyle.com/
Author
Thank you! I hope the same for you this year!
Very inspiring and I’ve also decided to read more this year and find ‘self help’ books that are actually decent. So I might have to have a look at the ones you’ve recommended. X
Author
Thank you! There’s a lot of them out there, my list is getting so long. I’m about to publish a post on a really great self-help book tomorrow,
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
so stay tuned for that too! 😊Hehe. Yep, I’m already reading that one! Got it from book depository the other week… love it. Would love it if you could follow my blog. I am following yours and I’m loving ur page. Very inspiring
Author
Oh awesome! It’s really cool, very different I enjoyed it. Sure I’ll follow you back 😊
Thanks. X I’m gonna get one of the books u recommended. Which one would u recommend first?
Author
Awesome! I’d definitely start with
The Four Agreements
if you haven’t already. ThenYou Are a Badass
next!!Ok excellent. I’ll get them. It’s actually cheaper on Amazon then book depository. Which usually is the other way around but amazon ship to Aus and they usually don’t. I’ll have to get them ASAP and read cuz I’m already half way through The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
I’m just like u at the moment, well how u used to be! Having no F*kin idea how to self-host but I think I’ll do ‘paid sites’ after the wedding. I’m glad I came across WordPress, it’s helped me express myself a lot.
Author
What’s your blog? I can’t find it by clicking your icon for some reason!
Oh really? Hmm.. it’s veganFODMAPGirl… that’s not good that u can’t find it
Author
Got it now. It might just be that I can’t click through because of wordpress.org vs wordpress.com. Not sure. But I followed you back!
Yay. Thanks so much. Thanks for taking the time to like my post and reply. Where about are u from? I live in Australia. They sunny Gold Coast..
Author
I definitely have to make it out to Australia at some point! I’m in chicago currently 😊
Oh nice. Omg you’d love it here. It’s soo pretty and beaches are so close. Where I am, it’s not a city but it’s not a town! It’s a pretty dame awesome place to be tbh! And lucky to live here! Even though I get bored at times.
Author
Ugh I would love to see it!! I’ve only heard lovely things about Australia and the Gold Coast, so it’s definitely on my list of places to see!
Yep. Well u have a friend here now… so I can show us around 😃
Author
Aw thanks girl! Hopefully it’s not too far off in the future that I can visit!!
I’d love to visit the states one day. But that’s not on the list anytime soon unfort 😩 next trip is Maldives though for my honeymoon.
Author
Omg I’m so jealous that you’ll be going to the Maldives, though. That is like top on my dream list. Congratualtions for your upcoming wedding too, love! xo
THANKYOU so much. Yes! I’m almost jealous of myself haha. It’s been a dream to go and when we decided for our honeymoon to go there, I was so excited. 9 days of being in the beach house, so basically not the water huts but the beach house and our backyard is right on the water and we got a verander where we can sit with our toes in the sand… I’m just a bit scared of the sharks, but I heard they are used to people so it’s not like ur swimming towards a great white! Haha 😂😐 never been scuba diving either so that’ll be super fun
Author
I hear you, I was very overwhelmed by it for a while. But it’s not so bad once you do it! 😊
Yer… some things I feel like! I should know but I really don’t. So far I’m enjoying my IG and WordPress, so don’t want to overwhelm myself with too many blog sites. So other than WordPress, what other sites do u use?? I did read ur blog about it.. I love ur website. It’s really nice.