The Roundup: 2017

And…. at last, 2017 has come to an end.

As you guys probably know, I’m pretty excited to say goodbye to 2017. It’s been a rough year for me. BUT, that is not what I want to focus on, right now.

I want to thank you. I want to thank every single one of you who reached out to me during those difficult moments, everyone who continued to visit, read my blog and leave comments, even when my regular posting schedule changed drastically. You probably have no idea just how much you mean to me. Every single time I hear from you guys, whether it’s an email, a tweet, a comment, it always puts a huge smile on my face. Today, I feel incredibly grateful for YOU.

In today’s posts, I’m doing a huge roundup, not a monthly, but a yearly one. Here are some of my most loved, most popular posts of 2017.

BLOGGING + PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2018, you can expect to see a lot more Blog Tips and Photography posts and I am very excited about both as they’re my favorite things to write about. This past year, we talked about Getting Most Out of Your DSLR, My Favorite Tools for Quick Edits in Photoshop, Tips for Better Instagram Photos and I also gave away 10 Styled Stock Photos (you can expect to see more of these, too!).

In my Blog Tips posts, I shared my Pinterest Strategy for Getting Millions of Monthly Views, Increasing Traffic by Updating Old Blog Posts, and I also talked about why Your Blog Needs Evergreen Content, and how to create more of it.

Other Blog Tips posts were:

– Things About Blogging I No Longer Stress + Worry About
– My Favorite Tools for Blogging
– 20 Quick + Easy Tips Blogging Tips
– Best Photography Tools + Equipment for Blogging
– How to Write Better Blog Posts
– The Ultimate List of Resources and Tools for Bloggers
– 226 Ideas for a Blog Post + Printable List
– Blogging: Tips for Beginners
– Things to do for Your Blog When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
– 7 Ways to Step Up Your Pinterest Game
– How to Start a Lifestyle Blog
– Things No One Tells You About Growing Your Blog
– How to Increase Your Blog Traffic With Pinterest
– 7 Things to do When You Feel Stuck With Your Blog

BEAUTY

One of the biggest Beauty posts in 2017 were the ones in which I talked about my life-long struggle with severe acne and my Accutane journey. In the first post, I shared my mid-treatment thoughts, my feelings about the side effects and skincare routine. Post-treatment, I talked about my results, current skincare routine and the entire treatment in detail.

Other most loved beauty posts were these:

– My Makeup Storage and Organization
– Life-Changing Beauty Products
– My Favorite Lip Balms for Winter
– 3 Reasons to Obsess Over Dry-Brushing
– 5 Ways to Pamper Yourself in the Morning (in 10 minutes or less)
– Skincare: The Good, The Bad and The Fab
– The Beauty Diet: How to Stop Buying So Much Makeup
– Spring Cleaning Your Beauty Stash
– Skincare Mistakes to Learn From
– New Skincare to Crush On
– My Favorite “Everyday” Beauty Tools
– Ex Over-Pluckers Guide to Growing Out Your Brows
– 8 Light Bases for Warm Weather
– 9 Facial Mists to Love
– Effortless Beauty
– Beauty Diet: The Update
– Gimme All The Glow: Highlighting Products to Love
– Everyday Beauty
– Skincare: Brighter, Softer + Gentle
– 7 Products + No Tools: My 5-Minute Face
– Thirst Quenchers: 4 Hydrating Face Masks to Love
– 8 Amazing Products for Short Hair
– Pamper for Cold, Gloomy Days (and nights)
– How to Switch Up Your Beauty Routine for Cold Weather
– 3 Tips for Surviving Cold Weather with Dry Skin
– The Lazy Girl Skin Pamper

SELF-GROWTH + LIFESTYLE

Most of you have probably noticed that in 2017, self-growth was one of my favorite things to write about. Mainly because I personally went through a lot of personal and emotional growth this past year. These posts also seem to be always very well received and I’ve learned that opening up once in a while, can be a great way to start new conversations, explore different points of view and… learn.

These were some of the most popular posts in the Self-Growth/Lifestyle categories:

– How to Bring More Mindfulness Into Your Life
– Morning Affirmations to Start Your Day
– 10 Quotes to Get You Through a Bad Day
– How to Stop Procrastinating, Right Now
– 3 Things to do Slower
– How to De-Stress and Unwind After a Tough Day
– It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
– How to Overcome Digital Distractions
– 5 Things to Focus On When You’ve Lost Your Motivation
– 13 Ways to Simplify Your Life
– How to Make New Habits Stick
– 7 Habits to Quit to Be More Successful
– Creating Nourishing Self-Care Routine 
– Be Present: How to Practice Mindfulness Every Day
– 6 Steps to Changing Your Negative Mindset
– Daily Habits for Success + Accomplishing Your Goals
– How to Deal With Feeling Overwhelmed 
– 11 Ways to Boost Your Productivity 
– When Life Gives You Lemons: How to Deal With Stressful Situations
– 15 Small Ways to Rejuvenate your Body + Mind + Soul
– Nighttime Anxiety: What to do When Your Anxious Mind Won’t Let You Sleep
– 12 Affirmations to Boost Confidence + Self-Esteem
– Self-Care Kit: What is it + Why You Need One
– 4 Mental Habits that Steal Your Happiness
– Overcoming Perfectionism
– 7 Morning Rituals for Busy People
– 10 Ways to Reduce Stress In Your Life
– How to Find Peace of Mind + Serenity When Feeling Overwhelmed
– 20 Things to Start Doing for Yourself
– How to Stay Mindful at Work
– 6 Ways to Enjoy Spending Time Alone 
– Powerful Practices for Stressed and Those Going Through Bad Times
– Simple Mindfulness Exercises to Try Today
– When Thoughts and Prayers Just Aren’t Enough
– Sunday Habits for a Better Week Ahead
– 3 Mantras to Live By (for more happiness + peace)
– How to Become a Morning Person (in 10 steps)
– Better Bedtime Habits
– How to Deal With Feeling Stuck
– How to Protect Your Energy
– Things You Have to Stop Telling Yourself
– How to Quiet Your Mind and Regain Balance
– How Self-Love Can Transform Your Life + 50 Ways to Practice More Self-Love
– 15 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care for Your Body + Mind + Soul
– 5 Signs That it’s Time to Slow Down
– Things to do Before the End of Year + Lessons Learned From Failure
– How to Create a Self-Care Kit for Someone You Love
– 10 Things You Need to Stop Wasting Time On
– How to Find More Calm in Life
– 5 Affirmations for the New Year

GIRL-TALK

One of the posts which I was very nervous to publish, was the one in which I shared my feelings about having children. It was a post I meant to write for years. Once I finally hit *publish* I was overwhelmed with the amount of love and support I received from other women. Not only that, but so many of you were brave enough to share your own stories, many of which literally brought tears to my eyes. My Uterus, My Business, was hands-down THE most popular post this year, in the Girl-Talk category and I am so happy that I finally opened up about that particular topic.

These were others:

– On How Blogging Restored my Faith in Female Friendship
– Imperfections, Meet Kindness- My Feelings After Going Makeup-Free for a Month
– 4 Ways to Ned Negative Self-Talk
– 25 Things to Do By Yourself + Printable List

My plan for 2018 is to go back to my regular posting schedule and try to get my life back. Nothing has been the same since my accident, since losing my Gran, and there are days when I feel like I’ve aged 10 years, days when I don’t when I don’t feel like myself anymore. There are also days when I feel incredibly strong, inspired and blessed.

Remember, that no matter how bad things seem at times, you are meant to have an amazing life. Your struggles make you stronger. I hope that this new year brings you a ton of joy, happiness, love, acceptance and health. I can never thank you enough for being a part of my life. 

Love you. Mean it.