Highlights – SALLY♡THINGS

2023 Lessons Learned.

2023. What a year this was for me, it just kept going and never stopped. A rollercoaster of events. I like to always take some time to do a self reflection of the year. Think about the things that I’ve accomplished, think about things I still need to work or focus on, ways I could have been better and many other things. All I’ve been thinking of lately is what lessons did I actually learn this year. What did 2023 try to teach me?

Love.
Self love was a huge part this year. Learning to love myself in present day, present time. Could I love all the different parts of me? Could I love myself on good and bad days? Could I still love myself when I felt like I could not love at all? When I was at my worst could I show myself and give myself love? I also learned more of the meaning of love. The boundaries, the respect, the kindness, the caring, understanding and being patient. Everything that makes the meaning of love, but also what it stands for or the means to love someone or something. Love.

Balance.
I learned that I was lacking a lot in balancing the different parts of my life. School life, work life, relationships, personal life, etc. They were always dripping into each other and affecting one one. I had to try to balance everything or I would be in a huge mush pile of emotions. I had a time and place for certain things and I needed to know how balance those out. Something that I need to continue to work on going into 2024. Balance.

Rest.
I learned the hard way this year that I needed to rest. With how busy I got in the fall, I overworked myself. I would try to stay up late to get things done, but at a cost. Sleep was something I wanted, but had no time for. Even just laying down and doing nothing was something I had to get use to. I was so up, up, up, go, go, go all the time. I was doing too much. It’s absolutely okay to rest. Rest.

Boundaries.
This was a huge one. Boundaries were probably my biggest lesson this year and honestly will be worked on still in 2024. Saying no to things that I don’t want or need to deal with. Saying no to things and people that hurt me or not serve me. Making boundaries clear so I get respected in the way that I should. Being in a manager position at my work, where half the staff is in the same age group was a big one. Removing myself from situations that overstepped my boundaries. Even holding myself back from crossing other people’s boundaries. Learning to accept that my boundaries are different from others and if it’s judged then let them judge. Went through it all this year. Boundaries.

Change.
Any thing can happen and change at any time. Life happens fast. You lose people, you gain people. People get sick, people move, people switch up on you both good and bad. It’s not only about people either. My environment changed, my life path changed, my goals changed. Both good and bad change happened this year. You have to really roll with it and keep going, adapt. Change.

I will always find a way.
This will be the last one, even though there’s many more. I will always find a way through, I will always find my way. I’ve pulled myself out of a lot of dark days this year. Not many people or anyone really know much of this, but I did it. I’m still coming out of it, but very much on a brighter path. No matter what situation I was put through this year, I still found a way through. I took a quiet moment to remember all the things I had to deal with this year and wow, that shit was crazy. I’m glad I can leave all of that back and behind me. Don’t follow me please! I don’t need it, I’m begging. I’m proud of myself and where I’m at now. I will always find a way.

Some of my highlights of 2023:

ꕥ I started working with GR Model Management as an assistant. The opportunity really solidified what I wanted to do for my career path.
ꕥ I went back to school after a long 9 year break and completed my first semester. It felt good to be back!
ꕥ My nephew was diagnosed with leukemia this year, BUT his treatments have been going super well and he’s been looking and feeling better every day. The doctors gave us a date of when his last chemo therapy session will be in a few years, which is one of the best news! He’s been fighting it hard. #TeamMateo
ꕥ Lost Lands 2023 was on another level this year. So much love! TABS ♡
ꕥ I was lucky enough to be able to see my friends from Wisconsin and Minnesota multiple times this year! The love I have for them is so big. Distance does not matter.
ꕥ I found my creative side again this year. More blogs were written and mini notes. It’ll continue and there will be more content next year.
ꕥ I’m coming out of 2023 and into 2024 with love.

This year was not about big wins or big goals for me, it was about building my foundation with little things so I could start doing the bigger next year. Finding my way through and through. This year was about letting things come and go and flowing along with it instead of fighting every second. This year was about accepting everything, good and bad. Yes, 2023 felt crazy, but what my old manager use to say, “To survive this crazy life, you have to be a little crazy too.“

Happy New Years to all of SALLY♡THINGS readers. Be safe tonight and have a blessed 2024. ♡

With love ♡

2023: April to June Photo Dump

Some of my favorite moments from April, May and June. This year is going by so quickly. We’re already have way through, insane. Slow down, so I can have more time this year please!

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

2023: January to March Photo Dump

New blog post series? Yes, we LOVE those! Every few months, I’ll post my favorite photos or videos from each month. The point of living is to live and I’m trying my best to do just that. A little trail of memories you can say.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

A Girl and Her Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

It’s that time of year again where the leaves start to change, then it starts to get cold and snow. The daylight hours are almost non existent unless you’re a morning person and Starbucks is killing the holiday drink game. Which also means it’s that time of year where I somehow get a cold and all I drink is the Honey Citrus Mint Tea. So here I am, sitting, writing and sipping on some tea.

This first half of winter is beating me up. Boy I’ve been struggling, but I’m getting through. These last few days of 2021 are big reflection days for me. Just going over how my year was, what I wish I would have done differently and what I did that was best for me. I can say I don’t have much regrets at all, but I could have done more for myself. A lesson that I’ll forever be learning. I’ve done a lot and got through a lot this year, so I’m going to take this moment to congratulate and celebrate because damn it was emotional! All the different feelings that I had this year was way beyond any other years. Sally, take another sip of your Honey Citrus Mint Tea cause you deserve it. You did it.

Some highlights of 2021: I was a manager of an hibachi restaurant during the constant changing covid restrictions era. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. I was able to work with my old manager for a month before moving and I adore working with her and just adore her! I was surprised with a going away party from my Sakura family and I cried my little heart out. I love them so much and miss working with them tons ♡ They’re like family to me. I worked there for 4 years with most of them. They saw every bad and good day that I had, they went through and helped me go through all of my early and mid 20’s crisis. I will never forget my last day there because of everyone!

To all the traveling and trips done in 2021, CHEERS! I had an excellent year in food and adventure. I fell in love with views over and over again, I found things that brought out happiness in me that I wouldn’t get if I stayed home. I ate at the Versace mansion which is still so surreal to me! Traveling brings out the best of me and also the fun side LOL If you saw me in Miami, I’m still wondering where that Sally came from, I want her back. I will not stop traveling, it feeds my soul.

My going away party thrown by my friends. That is a huge highlight of 2021, one that I hold so close. You don’t really know how much you’re loved until it’s shown to you. I’m so blessed that I have all these people in my life that enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs. It isn’t the last time that we were all going to be together, but that would be it for a while. They give me so much support all the time even with the distance and for that I am truly truly grateful.

My move! Sheeeeeeeeesh it’s been a ride. I moved in April of 2021 to Wisconsin and I still call soda “Pop” and “ope, let me squeeze right past ya” I’m still that Michigan girl. Moving really tested me and I would be lying if I said that I’m fully settled in now cause truth is I’m not, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying it and I’ve met a lot of great people that I consider my really close friends. My boyfriend deserves a huge thank you for being with me every step of the way and helping me make sure I make it as close to home as possible. He is my home guys hehe ♡ The whole summer is a highlight though. All the trips, events, drinking… ya’ll are wild, but a fun wild. Everyone needs to get crazy to survive this crazy world anyways. Thanks to Wisconsin my alcohol tolerance went up HAHA No, but I’m thankful that I get to call Wisconsin my second home, that I get to spend everyday in love with my love and that I’m surrounded by friends who care for me (including my non MI & WI friends that I met through everyone in WI)

My last big highlight that I would like to add is seeing Ramses’s custom runway line being walked live!!! Ramses is one of my closest friend and he does custom apparel under his brand Ramraves. I’ve got to witness and help with the beginning process of Ramraves and to see his work go in a Runway?? PROUD. SOOO PROUD. Ramses when you read this I just want to let you know that I’m still so in awe. Keep it up, opportunities are coming this year! I love you!

To those who are reading this, I hope you had a great new year and this year treats everyone better. It was a rough one for not only myself, but everyone else too. I do want to thank you for all the views, I hit 10k views right before the year ended and that was a cool little milestone and accomplishment for me. For whatever reason you’re visiting my blog to read, I hope you get the year you deserve.