The last few months of 2023 in pictures look a lot better than how they actually were. One thing I do know is that even though I’m down, I’ll always be trying to live my best life cause that’s all that I can really control. I really just let certain things go and flow. End of 2023 didn’t want to let go without a bang though and honestly I’m not mad about it. What is meant for me will always find it’s way. ♡
October
November
December
The last two months of the year was a 180 twist. It happened for the plot twist. The end of the year got better and I’m hoping to bring that blessing with me into 2024. I’m hoping to write more mini writings as well. So it’s still coming for the year.
November 8, 2023
There are things you want to hear and things you need to hear.
Both can haunt your thoughts and cold your heart.
Not everything can save you.
– sally.things
November 28, 2023
I will always choose to love you rather than hating you.
Blessing or a curse?
– sally.things
November 22, 2023
“If the words you spoke towards yourself appeared on your skin would you still be beautiful?”
“Cry if you need too”
“Am I deserving of anything good?”
“I’m not enough”
“Everything will be okay”
“Unworthy”
“Overly sensitive”
“Remember it wasn’t you. Just them.”
“I need to be better”
– sally.things
December 12, 2023
What if today goes unexpectedly well?
What if everything’s happening the way it should be?
What if you had it in you all along?
What if you were thinking about the wrong what ifs?
– sally.things.
December 29, 2023
This year wasn’t about achieving big goals for me.
It was finding the joys of little things and moments again.
This year wasn’t about flaunting how much I healed from things.
It was about me accepting what I have to heal from.
This year wasn’t about winning or forcing things.
It was about “if it’s meant to be, it will be.”
– sally.things
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 ♡
“Hopin’ to keep the rest of my friends. Prayin’ the 20 somethings don’t kill me, kill me.”
“Ain’t got nothin’, runnin’ from love, only know fear. That’s me, Ms. 20 something.“
A year since I’ve posted a drunk thoughts post. Ya’ll see I don’t be getting drunk on my own as much anymore or at all actually. I don’t drink when I’m at my house or even by myself. That’s PROGRESS. A whole year of working on myself and still working on myself. What a fucking journey it’s been. It’s been wild. Let me tell you, WILD. So much to keep quiet on because I just want everything to be over. I’m drained. I’m tired, exhausted. I get pulled into toxic cycles over and over again. I’ve been getting myself stuck with people who have manipulative behaviors and in their cycles over and over. I’m literally praying my 20 something don’t kill me because I don’t know If i’m going to make it out alive anymore. It’s going to take me and eat me alive.
I’m trying to grow, heal and still love, but that gets taken, taken ,taken. I have a big heart and I love to love and I love to care and I am the type of person to just always have feelings, but clearly that’s being taken for granted and advantage of over and over and over again. What’s suppose to be one of the greatest quality a person can have is also the most taken advantage of. Why do people just take and take and take? I honestly wish I could be exactly like them and do the same. Let me take from you now. then throw you away until I need you next. ugh, disgusting. Personal problem? hell yeah. I’ve been keeping quiet for so long, but for what? To try to save someone’s else character because I loved them before? If I were to literally write a tell all book like celebrities, I feel like my shit would be more interesting that most of the others. The shit I have been put through has beeen WILD. I have stayed quiet to try to forget and move on, but then some shit happens and I notice I’m still taken advantage of because I’m not saying anything. I just want to love and keep loving and not become cold. I want to heal, I want to move on, I want to grow. I want to be left alone. This is the most vulnerable that I can be on here.
Everyone just leave me alone from my past. I loved someone who could not love me the right way and we left it. so, YOU, leave it too. Everyone leave it.
These two months were quite hard on me, but here I am. Still here, still standing, still living, still loving, still going. Physically exhausted, mentally stronger and overall more kind and gentle to myself. ♡
September 2, 2023
Let them.
Let them try to ruin you and your day.
You know you haven’t played in any fire lately.
They are doing it out of their own insecurities about you anyways.
– sally.things
September 10, 2023
“Listen before I go.”
– sally.things
September 16, 2023
Once you let go, you let go over and over and over again.
You let them go when you go to the grocery store and don’t buy their favorite snack. You let go of them when you eat at your guys’ favorite restaurant and decide to order something different. You let them go again when you do things out of your normal routine that involved them.
You’ll be letting them go in many different ways, in many different places and a million different times.
– sally.things
October 8, 2023
Keep on laughing, smiling and finding little joys in things.
The little things will eventually become big and you’ll forget about all the worries of the past.
Love life in the present.
– sally.things
October 12, 2023
I deserved a kinder goodbye. One that wasn’t ruined by deceit.
One that didn’t get competed against or used for someone else’s needs.
One that wasn’t used by another and rubbed in my face.
I deserved a goodbye that was only meant for you and me.
– sally.things
October 24, 2023
I’m dancing with all my emotions and giving each and every one of them their time to shine.
We’ll dance until we can’t dance anymore.
Love, sadness, grief, gratitude, heartache, happiness, and more.
What a lovely ball.
– sally.things
October 25, 2023
Read these words and think of me.
Remember all the love and think of me.
Now read these words: think of me for once.
– sally.things
Angel energy.
When that phrase became popular, immediately it sat and stuck with me. Angel energy is calming, healing, peaceful, and unconditional loving. Everything that I wish to be or wish to have. It’s what I wish I had more than enough of for myself and then some to pass on to others. A higher frequency or vibe that others can feel when they meet me. I want that. I want the peace. I want healing. I want calm. I want to unconditionally love so much that it radiates.
A permanent reminder of my lessons. A constant reminder of who and how I want to be. A check-in reminder of where I am and where I need to go. A reminder of who I use to be. Angel energy, I believe I was once almost there before. I’ll be there again, but better.
Calm. Peaceful. Healed. Unconditionally loving.
˚₊‧꒰ა ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Sometimes quick little mini writings come easier than writing a whole blog. Sometimes I don’t have the time to pull out my laptop and write what I’m feeling or if I don’t write it right away I’ll forget or second guess on sharing. Every mini writing expresses me and how I felt at that moment and the photos will have something significant to them. There’s a lot more meaning to me, but it might seem like nothing to others which is fine too. You can find these on my Instagram @Sally.Things stories/highlights. Now here’s what you might have missed ♡
July 17, 2023
I’m still human.
I still have a lot of emotions.
I’m very much going through it.
I mean it just really started.
May this photo remind me and help through the waves of sadness.
– sally.things
July 24, 2023
Even though it hurts, I’m still going to continue to sit here and choose myself.
Choose the love I deserve.
– sally.things
August 3, 2023
I try my best to move on and go about my day and life/future.
It gets hard on some days, but I know it won’t last forever
Keep going.
– sally.things
August 9, 2023
One of these days I’m going to heal through my words.
Until then, all I can do is write it all out in hopes that it’s helping someone else out instead.
I’m constantly reading, rereading and rereading.
– sally.things.
P.s. I’m going to choose to remember this as the last. It was beautiful.
August 13, 2023
Super excited that I’m actually able to continue with my life plans. It didn’t work out last year which was my original plan, but I guess things happen for a reason.
The future I was planning for will still happen and I’m still going to go that route, except it’s going to be just for me. The support and excitement will always be with me though.
– sally.things
August 22, 2023
“I wish that you could see how much you mean to other people in their lives like how you see how much people mean in yours.”
Somewhere along the way, I lost my sight of that. I wish that one day I can see that again too.
– sally.things
August 28, 2023
For every push, there’s been a bigger pull.
For every pull, there’s been very little pushing away.
Tell me what am I suppose to do?
– sally.things
Follow my Instagram for more or come and visit the end of October/beginning of November to see more ♡
Sometimes I don’t think what I write is “blog worthy” and I’ll post it to another social platform instead or I’ll get inspired with my writings on those different social platforms. Slowly, but surely I’m sharing things to all platforms. This one was originally posted on TikTok a few months ago. Feel free to check out and follow both my personal and blog accounts. Come feel the feels ♡
June 11, 2023
I still fall for your words, how weak of me.
Maybe it’s the way we started, all we had was our words. Long distance challenges you in every way, so you fall in love with what stays consistent. I will always have this soft, loving spot for you and you know that too.
How weak of me.
Even now I still find myself falling for your words and the way they make me feel. The way you still make me feel.
How weak of me.
I’ve been finding myself fighting what feels so loving, caring and kind. Do I let myself feel it sometimes? Yes.
How weak of me.
What you tell me, I don’t doubt your emotions behind it. I know that deep down you actually feel that way, but it breaks my heart.
How weak of me.
I’m holding myself up and I’m pushing myself to move forward. I’m picking up my own pieces and I’m trying so hard to stay soft and still true to myself. I am creating a safe and supportive space for my feelings and emotions. I stop my own tears when I need too. I am learning to let go of us without having any hateful feelings. I am slowly accepting that the love between us was real. You did love me, it just wasn’t enough for forever. I’m healing myself in ways that seem impossible and all I can think of is
How weak of me.
Am I crazy? Slightly. Did you read that right? Yes. I decided to go back to college this semester at the age of 28. The last time I had classes was back in 2014/2015, so 8-9 years ago. Life got in the way and I really wasn’t ready back then. I’ve been wanting to go back, but timing wasn’t right or it didn’t feel right to me. How I feel about something is very important for me. This time around, things fell into place and I was able to sign up and get back into it. I’m happy that I’m back in school and excited to see what’s to come from it.
So what’s it like to be back?
While it feels like I haven’t left and majority of things look the same, many things have actually changed. My professors from back then are still here, but they have aged. It’s weird cause I feel like I went time traveling to the future. The student IDs are different colors and now have more use for things, I got mine replaced to the new one and the person taking my picture said, “Wow, welcome back it must be a while for you. I haven’t seen the all blue IDs in a while.” How embarrassing that was LOL. The parking student rates have gone up and boy does that make me sad, but happy cause I’m only on campus 2 times a week. I also just feel sooo old in my classes. Majority of my peers are 18-20. I’ve interacted with some classmates in group projects and we’ll get to know each other with little questions and they all get so shocked when I tell them my age. It’s always the same reaction too, “No way! You look so good and young for 28!” Thank you for that compliment though, I’m starting to appreciate it more. ♡ I’m also meeting others who are older than me, that are coming back to school just like me. Having that in common has been very motivating for me and reminds me to not be too hard on myself for starting over again.
How are you feeling about it all?
Well it’s been very emotional for me for sure. It’s been 3 weeks already and on the first day I was 15 mins late and I skipped one class lecture already. The enrollment period before was pretty stressful for me already. It’s been a while since I’ve been in school, so some of my credits that I earned when I first went no longer exists. I have to pretty much take some of same classes over again to get the credit again, which sucks. School was a hard topic for me to talk about before and even now at times because of how my first year went. It wasn’t ideal and I didn’t feel supported back then. Those feelings come through still from time to time and I can get very discouraged and less motivated. Have I already thought of dropping out? YES, plenty of times already. I did have someone who was my #1 supporter and they helped me talk about and through my worries about school, someone who was always there for me. I ended up starting this semester without them. It’s heartbreaking to lose someone who was so proud and believed in you and I’m still trying to adjust with that. Besides those feels, mainly I’ve been excited and motivated. I am proud of myself for taking this step again and trying again. I’m happy with my decision of going back and ready to see what’s to come with it. I’m happy that I get the opportunity to change up my daily routine and change my environment. It’s something that I needed to do for myself.
I’m here to let anyone else that’s looking to go back to school, whether you’re older, younger, haven’t gone yet, or dropped out that you can do it. You’re not alone and you definitely don’t have to think negative about yourself about it. Whatever your story was before, it’s not going to be your story this time around. Take your time, go your own pace, don’t listen to those who bash others. You have your own journey to go through. Most importantly YOU got this!
This won’t be the last blog about school and I’m hoping to be able to post about getting my degree when the time comes around. Whenever that will be. I’m in no rush right now and enjoying the ride. I’m happy for this new start and I’ll see everyone at the end. ♡
TWENTY-EIGHT!?!? Yes, it’s true. I am officially 28, bring on the closer to 30 jokes. Even I can’t believe that I’m 28, I feel like I’m still this 20 year old trying to figure out life on my own. Maybe the figuring out life feeling never goes away.
Going into this 28th year, everything is different from what I pictured it would be. It’s really a new chapter of many unknowns. For my 28th year, I’m hoping to really put the focus on myself. I am going to be my number one priority. The healing, the growth, the self care, the self love, the schooling, the career, the future opportunities, all of it will be my focus and I am the priority and not anyone else.
There’s a lot of things in line for me already, but what I really hope to get from this upcoming year is to get back my full self. For the past few years, everyone has met the version of me who was pouring out too much in others leaving nothing behind for herself. I didn’t and couldn’t realize it myself. How does the one who pours out her love see the bad in that? I won’t completely change the way I’ve been cause some of those parts are still me. Don’t worry everyone, that version that you met isn’t too far from where I hope to be, I’ll just be better. I would love to be able to shake the idea of what I thought things would be and be able to take in and be happy about what I’m in presently. Live more in the present and not the past. Next year I would love to look back at this post, see how far I’ve come and be happy about the journey.
Before the day ends, I wanted to thank everyone who took a few minutes out of their day to tell me happy birthday. I appreciate it very, very much. Also to those who took me out today and for my friends that I will be seeing this weekend and later this month. Just because I’m 28 now, it doesn’t mean I’m too old to celebrate all month and yes I did say all month.
Here’s to a new chapter, here’s to 28!
SALLY♡THINGS 