You ready?

2018 just pulled up on us like “I’m outside. You ready?” The year flew by! 2017 was a year of celebration: birthdays, babies, love, growth, friendship, sisterhood, new businesses, travel, self-care; anything I could toast to, I was there. In 2018 I want to continue celebrating and I want this to be the year of as Nene says best, “I said what I said.”  Say what you want, do what you feel—unapologetically. Here are a few lessons learned that I’ll take with me into 2018. What have you learned? 

Advocate for yourself.   

If you don’t, then who will? Apply for that job, negotiate your salary, start the business you’ve been dreaming of, buy those shoes, and tell YOUR story.  With everything that's been happening this past year in the news, I've learned that our voices matter, and we deserve to be heard and respected.  Sharing your story can help empower someone else to share theirs. 

Seek help.

Let's face it we can’t be superwoman 24/7. As much as we try to do it all, we still have our shortcomings. And that’s OK. The world won’t end if we take a break or ask for help. Find resources that will support you. Whether it’s a friend or mental health professional, take care of you!   

Do the work.

Now this is something I’ve struggled with lately when it comes to working on things I’m passionate about outside of my 9 to 5. Sometimes it can be really hard to self-motivate. After a long day of work I just want to wind down and relax. But now is the time to grind. I'm really going to push myself to do more of the creative things I enjoy and to write more.  

Support each other.

Nothing makes me happier than supporting my friends' projects and businesses. We inspire each other -- we show up, promote, purchase products and services, give each other advice, cry, laugh, and the list goes on. Listen, when they win, I win and vice versa.

What are your goals for 2018? Write them down and speak those goals into existence, but most importantly, put in the work. 2018 I’m ready for you. #sheready

xoxo

Victoria

It's the first week of January 2016 and in between breaks of checking hundreds of work emails, I've been doing some reflecting and I'm excited for what's ahead. One of my biggest highlights of 2015 was traveling to Dubai. This was my first international flight. I was one of hundreds of black millennials that took advantage of the Christmas 2015 flight deal to Dubai for less than $200. It was a great cultural experience in spite of the horrible customer service we received from the airline on the way home.  But this is just one of the many things I want to continue doing in 2016: be spontaneous and explore the unknown. I didn't do any other international trips last year so I've definitely had my eye on all of the flight deal sites for this year. In addition to traveling, I plan to focus on my career goals and begin budgeting and saving to become a homeowner. I also plan to take better care of my spiritual health. Self-care is so important. Life can get so busy and stressful that we forget to take the time out to breathe, live in the moment, and become aware of our surroundings. More meditation and rest for my soul is needed. Have you written out your goals for 2016? Be intentional and stick to it. :) 

xoxo,

Victoria