Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I Have Learned From 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Lessons I have Learned from 2017

Top (Vintage, similar here & here) | Jeans | Shoes | Clutch | Lips

Photos by LA PHOTOGRAPHY

I still can’t believe how fast 2017 went by. It still seems like just yesterday that I was going shopping and getting prepared for my trip to Cabo for my high school friend’s wedding with my boyfriend at the time and my parents. This has been a year that has truly tested my patience, aspirations, my personal motives, and what God wants for my life. It has been a year of whirlwind emotions from the beginning of the year up until just a couple of weeks ago as well. My stress has been tested for sure and even though there has been a lot thrown my way this year, I think my faith has really gotten stronger as well. As we close out this year I thought I would share with you lessons I have learned from 2017. I am sure that 2018 might be just as challenging with events that come up and situations I am put through. 2017 has taught me so much about myself and through all of the crazy situations that happened, it is another year that I am alive and have grown as an individual.

  • Just Say “Yes”: I feel like this was my life motto for this year. There were lots of situations that happened this year and mainly with work that I just said “yes” to, and was so glad that I did. This can be such a scary thing to do because as humans we automatically start weighing the pros and cons of any situation before making a decision. Sometimes it is nice to just do that for a quick moment before just agreeing to whatever challenge or new opportunity comes our way. Trust me there were several opportunities that happened with work this year and I had the mindset of “sure, yes” that went in my favor. I learned to understand that if others think that this is good for me, then sure I will at least give it a try. I am also the friend in my group who always wants to do girl trips and travel or do fun things. My 2 best friends and I went to Nashville this year and then I also went to Cuba with my parents and Charleston with my mom. Sometimes saying “yes” even if you are way too busy will be the best thing for your soul.
  • Be Grateful and Lend a Helping Hand: I think that this lesson touched everyone in Houston this year through some way or another. The impacts of Hurricane Harvey hitting and the acts of charity that happened afterwards really brought the whole city together. This was an eye opener for me and seeing from afar lots of my friends and family friends being rescued by boat and losing everything was such a sad situation to witness. My best friend and I were traveling to Nashville when this happened and our flights were delayed, so we were glued to the TV watching all of this unfold. When we came back my thoughts on basic everyday things that sometimes we take for granted changed. I wanted to try to help out as much as possible and just visiting and talking with my friends and trying to get them to not even think of water was a good relief. This was also a time to reflect and cherish the ones that you love. It was a vulnerable time for many and also made me reach out to some people that I hadn’t talked to in a while.
  • Things Don’t Happen By Coincidence: I firmly believe that things don’t happen by coincidence and did not used to think like this. There have been so many weird coincidences that have happened this year and honestly the majority of them had to do with signs of my ex. I still haven’t figured out what a lot of those mean from the people that I met when I was on a plane in Chicago that knew him to all of these other random signs, I think things don’t happen by coincidence. When we were in Nashville during the Hurricane Harvey our family friend was visiting her daughter in Kentucky and offered for us to stay there for a couple of days until the flights opened up again. God knew that this was going to happen and it was a lifesaver. They kid and say that they took in refugees, but they are so correct and it was truly a blessing.
  • Get Rid of First Impressions: This year more than any other time is when I feel like this really hit home for me. They say the first impression is always the best impression, but I would disagree with this. There are so many people that I have met this year that when I had first heard of them, had already had a pre notion of them in my head that was not very nice. Also I have met a couple of people that I honestly did not like at all when I first met them and several times after I first met them. I always laugh and think don’t ever make enemies because you never know who you will be working with and that is so true. It could be someone that you went to high school with that you end up working with or someone that you meet that you have a mutual friend in common with. It is funny because several people that I met this year that I did not like when I first met them, I now actually consider them great people and will go to them for advice and we are friends now. You just never know and don’t want to burn any bridges.
  • Prioritize What Really Matters: If you are like me you can go down that social media rabbit hole after scrolling though Pinterest, Instagram, Snap Chat and any other funny memes or whatever site for hours. This is the biggest time waster and my mom always gets mad at me on this. I tell her it is a stress reliever for me though. During this year I have tried to stick to waking up and going to bed not reading my phone, but instead reading a book or even better reading the Bible or something inspirational. When you prioritize on things that will make you feel good and actually bring value to your life, then your day will start and end much better. It is also nice to have something that you have to do like when I was studying for my PMP exam, and if I didn’t well then I would fail. Having specific goals like these makes prioritizing even better. I have learned to prioritize hanging with friends or family instead of doing something like laundry that can be put off to another day. Life is short and you don’t know how long you will have those times.
  • Pick Your Battles: Getting out of a serious relationship this year and starting a new job at my company has really taught me a lot about my self. The major thing that it has taught me is to pick my battles. I know it sounds cliche but if you think about it and wonder will this matter a week from now or even a month from now? Chances are it won’t and you should’t be getting mad about it. At work there are hundreds of things that honestly bug the heck out of me, but this year has really taught me what to raise some attention to and what not to. In a relationship with friends, family and boyfriends/husbands this is so true to. I learned that I can be nagging sometimes and that really gets me nowhere. It is all about balance and if there is something that is a deal breaker or that is seriously not going to work the way it is then by all means speak up.
  • Your Whole World Can Change in a Minute: This would be the theme for my 2017 year. I started it out in February starting a new brand new job that I did not like. My boyfriend at the time and I broke up and my job only got worse. I was not happy for a good while and  but kept on going. After months of praying, digging deep into my self and understanding what makes me happy, I am 100 times better than I was at the beginning of the year. One day it can seem like you are living in a fantasy world and then the next day it can feel like you have just gotten hit by a bus. Sometimes you think you know someone or know yourself and I guess you are completely wrong. What I have taken from this year is that change is inevitable. Adapting to that change will set you apart from everyone else. I have gone through so much change at work too and in my personal life. I am on my 3rd change in job roles in the past year but this new one is going to be great for the next 3 years. I would have never thought that I would be studying and taking my Project Management Professional exam as well this year too.
  • God is in Control: I think that this can sometimes be the toughest lesson to understand and grasp, but truly is the most important one. I know that I think sometimes that I am in control and God really quickly tells me “Nope Brittany you know that is all my job.” It might be the Type-A personality in me that I sometimes have and always want to know well what does this mean and when is that going to happen, etc. Through this year I have really learned to take a step back and realize that God truly is in control. I now laugh at little coincidences that happen which by the way are God’s workings and think “Haha that was a funny one God.” I sometimes don’t know what they mean but will we ever anyway? I also think ok is this leading to something? I must put my seat belt on and not be a back seat driver though even though it is hard!

2017 has been a challenging but rewarding year as well. I am so glad that I was able to share all of these lessons with you. I am so thankful to have all of you amazing readers who like to read BNB styling and follow along for inspiration. This year has taught me to be more genuine to you all and open up even more. I would love to hear about some of your challenges and lessons that you have also overcome this year. I hope you all have a great remainder of 2017 and know that 2018 is going to be even bigger and better!


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10 Comments

  • Reply Dominique December 29, 2017 at 11:45 am

    God is in control, isn’t he – and boy, am I thankful!
    Ok – don’t take this the wrong way, but my beloved, fashionable Grandmother had a very similar top (God rest her soul). My Grandfather gave it to me when she passed in April. I promise you, I wear it the EXACT same way – with distressed boyfriend jeans and heels. Great minds think alike! I love that vintage top so much. I get mobbed when I wear it!
    Wishing you the best 2018!!

  • Reply Torey Noora December 29, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    These are such great reminders! Happy New Year Xx

  • Reply megan December 29, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    such great lessons! I definitely agree with prioritizing what really matters!

    xo megan

  • Reply Cristina December 30, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    I love reading post like this. It is even more fun to write them. Isn’t it great to reflect and realize how much we have grown in the past year. My favorite of all your lessons is be grateful and led a helping hand.

    xx

    Cristina
    http://www.timelessoptimist.com

  • Reply Maggie December 30, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    I completely agree with all of these especially things are not coincidental and god is in control. I truly believe things happen for a reason!

  • Reply Azanique Rawl December 31, 2017 at 1:03 am

    Learning to be grateful has been one of the biggest lessons for me in 2017, too! God is always going to be in control and I love how I am learning to be more comfortable knowing that truth.

    -xo, Azanique | https://wwww.lotsofsass.com

  • Reply Sara January 1, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Cheers to lessons learned and to a fresh new start! And you are so right, He has the most amazing plans for us!

    xo, Sara

  • Reply Amanda January 1, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    That top is SO pretty! Happy 2018, wishing you the best for the coming year 🙂

  • Reply Jessica January 2, 2018 at 5:05 am

    I love all your tips! Especially “picking your battles!” Good one!

  • Reply Danasia Fantastic January 2, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    What a great reflection piece so wonderfully written. Our faith gets tested sometimes, but I definitely agree with you that it’s not by coincidence. Love your style and have a Happy New Year!

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