Friends, 2017 was a hard year. But it will also be forever remembered as the year I stopped hiding. I’m focusing on the positive part of the year and sharing that with y’all today!
If you haven’t read my blog post on dealing with stress and anxiety, you can check it out here. This post is basically just a recap of how my progress has gone throughout the year. In February, I decided to start eating better and being more active because I was so tired of feeling so bad about myself. I had let my job and all the other activities I had going on in my life get to me. For about three years, I simply hid in baggy shirts and sweatpants. I took hardly any pictures of myself and basically didn’t want to be seen. I stopped “dressing up” and just threw on anything, which made me feel awful because fashion has always been a huge passion of mine and when I let stress get the best of me, my appearance and self confidence suffered tremendously.
Like I mentioned in the original post, as silly as it sounds, documenting my fashion on Instagram helped me so much with staying motivated this year. It helped me stop hiding in baggy, oversized clothes. It helped me get excited about fun fashion again and sharing different outfits with y’all.
Today I want to share (in pictures!) how this year is different from last year. I’ve made a conscious effort to take more pictures of myself so I can remember the days. I still love a good “object picture” but for so long I was only taking those types of pictures instead of pictures that I was actually in because I hated the way I look. I love using Instagram as a way to look back and remember little moments, but when I stepped back and looked, I realized that the majority of what I remembered about those days from those pics, was how bad I felt about what I was wearing and how bad I felt about how I looked.
Please don’t misunderstand: I still have major self confidence issues and I scrutinize every picture by analyzing my face, legs, hair, etc. Just because I’m starting to post pictures of myself doesn’t mean I think I’m gorgeous and want to share it with the world! ha! I simply don’t want to hide anymore, so this year I’ve made a huge effort to put more of an effort into feeling better about myself instead of “slobbing” around in v-neck sweaters and black stretch pants, which is what I was doing.
Christmas. Know why there’s a question mark on the left picture? Because there’s not one picture that I took on Christmas in 2016. Or 2015 or 2014. I just hid.
Thanksgiving. Last year’s Thanksgiving was just awful. I felt absolutely terrible about what I was wearing because I bought that top and those pants in two sizes too big so they wouldn’t be tight or clingy.
Candle shopping. For me, shopping for candles at Bath and Body Works always signals the start of a new season, which is so very exciting to me! Last year I documented this by taking a picture of my shopping bag. This year I made my mom snap a picture as we were leaving the store.
Christmas shopping at Target!
Shopping for Fall flowers and pumpkins. I remember when I took this picture in 2016, it was so hot here in Alabama and I was in a long sleeve t-shirt that fit too snug and therefore was too short and some black yoga pants. Even though it was burning up outside, I was hiding in my clothes.
TJ Maxx shopping!
Spring flowers! For the past three years, I absolutely dreaded when the weather started getting warmer because that made it harder to hide in clothes and feel comfortable. The right picture was taken in late March, after I had been eating better for almost two months. My jeans were starting to fit loose and I started to see a difference in how I felt each day!
For the past three years, I maybe have 4 pictures of myself and Reese. This makes me especially sad now that she’s having health problems. I make sure and take multiple pictures of myself and Reese throughout the week!
Going on walks. That picture of the left might not look odd to you, but I remember hating how my calves looked. When I posted the picture on the right, I remember looking at my thighs and thinking they should be smaller, but posting it anyways. It’s about progress…not perfection!
Shopping for desk chairs
Snow Days
I still struggle with stress and anxiety daily, but I’m happy with the mental progress I made this year, even if I’m not where I want to be physically. And I think that’s important. Here’s to an even better 2018!
Just so you know— I always look at your pictures and ADMIRE you!! Your hair and makeup and clothes are always so put together! And you always smile! You’ve been an inspiration to me in my classroom and out. Keep up the positive vibes! Here’s to a great 2018 for you!
I love all your photos and have bought some similar clothing/shoe items that you've shared. You are an inspiration to others; you may not even know it. I know you don't know me. I'm an avid reader and read many of the books you talk about on instagram. I teach 4th grade and follow your teaching blog as well. I feel like I know you because I follow all your accounts. Thanks for your inspiration. (Gosh, I hope I don't sound like a stalker/creeper!!!)
You are pretty awesome!!! I just started following you this summer after finding some classroom inspirations. I would never have guessed that you struggled with any of these things, but I say that in the kindest way possible. I say that because now I see you are 100% real and I can so relate to these things you just shared. I can’t wait to read your blog about stress/anxiety. Heading there now. Keep being the amazing you and THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
I feel the same way Wyndi does! I see your pictures and think “man I wish I had it together like she does” your hair, clothes, home deco and even your classroom organization! I feel you with the inner struggles. I think we all have them to some extent and it is extremely hard to change the way we think about ourselves. Keep working on you and know that there is a great community on instagram and here on your blog to support you and keep the positivity coming! Have a great 2018!
I feel the same way Wyndi does! I see your pictures and think “man I wish I had it together like she does” your hair, clothes, home deco and even your classroom organization! I feel you with the inner struggles. I think we all have them to some extent and it is extremely hard to change the way we think about ourselves. Keep working on you and know that there is a great community on instagram and here on your blog to support you and keep the positivity coming! Have a great 2018!
I can't believe I have been following you this long–I remember all of those posts. I love your posts and look forward to them because they always seem so warm and cozy and I love to feel that way. I love your style and decor and your love for reading. You seem pretty amazing to me!