Happy New Year! While I had every intention of sharing a few sparkly ensembles before the new year, life got in the way last week. In fact, nothing has really gone โaccording to planโ these last few weeks and itโs been an excellent lesson(s) in something that Iโve been trying to work on over the last few months โ letting go of the expectations and going with the flow.
I was so excited to stay in town for that week between Christmas and New Years. While part of me wanting to jet off somewhere warm (Itโs been f*cking FREEZING in Chicago. Weโre talking negative temperatures for weeks on endโฆ Ah!), I was looking forward to having a week to do a lot of reflecting on 2017 and planning for 2018. And to get ahead on some content for January, too! In my mind, thereโs no better feeling than feeling PREPARED and READY for a new year. Itโs all about the mindset, and I knew this plan was going to set me up for success. Letโs do this, 2018! New week, new month, new year all on a Mondayโฆ Couldnโt have planned it better if I tried.
Instead, I caught the flu from my sister-in-law on Christmas (she didnโt know she had it until the next day) and ended up getting back to Chicago just before I was knocked out on the couch for a week with a 103 degree fever, the worst hacking cough, and one of the more extreme cases of fatigue Iโve ever had. I luckily went to the doctor early enough to get the antiviral meds, but Iโm still not 100% yet. My fever and body aches have thankfully subsided, but Iโve still got this relentless cough, I feel like my nose will never not need blowed, and Iโm still tired AF throughout the day. Needless to say, I didnโt get any of my New Years content published on the blog. I didnโt do any reflecting on 2017. I didnโt get any planning for 2018 done. I didnโt get ahead on January content and Iโm currently way behind schedule with what I had planned to post this first week of the year. And on top of that, I havenโt worked out in weeks, havenโt been eating healthy, and couldnโt feel more BLAH if I tried.
Why am I telling you all of this? I promise itโs not to complain. All of these curveballs have further exemplified what we already knowโฆ You canโt control what happens, but you can control how you react. Previously, this type of thing would be just what I needed to spin off into a downward spiral for a few weeks until I managed to pull myself out of the rut. โNothing goes right. The year is off to a shit start. 2018 is doomed, just like 2017.โ etc. etc.
Instead, Iโm trying to give myself some compassion and simply do what I can right now. This isnโt how I would have liked to start the year, but in all actuality, the day and year are just numbers. Who really gives a shit if I mentally โstart the yearโ next Monday on the 7th? Iโm all for having a plan, but itโs just as important to be able to roll with the punches and re-write your plan when life gets messy and in the way.
So if you happen to be in a similar situation, donโt be so hard on yourself! Maybe you drank alcohol yesterday, or didnโt workout, or ate pizza instead of a salad. (Guilty on the last twoโฆ) Give yourself a break! What would you say to a friend if they were venting to you about the problems youโre facing? The whole month and/or year are not f*cked just because you went off-course for a day. Just start back up and do what you can today! Remember, you might not be able to control what happens to you, but you can control how you react. Let go of your expectations (your ideas how it โshouldโ be) and just go with the flow. xx
While New Year’s Eve may be over, there are still a lot of fun things on the horizon… Winter weddings, charitable events like Snowball, or maybe even award show parties. I love how this silver Kate Spade sweater dress isn’t *too glitzy* and can really be worn for a lot of different occasions… Even work!ย Wear it with booties, tights, pointed pumps, a moto jacket, a cropped blazer… Tons of options!
Get the Look…
Kate Spade Silver Midi Dressย (also available here!)
1.State Black Faux Fur Coatย (identical here & here; similar here, here, here, here, & here)
Kate Spade Glitter Pom-Pom Heels (on sale!)
Loren Hope Earrings
Loren Hope Bracelet
Black Envelope Clutch (old; similar here & here)
Red Lipstick: Dolce & Gabbana in 420
Thank you SO much for this post, Jess. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Happiest of 2018’s to you! xx
So glad to hear. Happy New Year, Lanie! xoxo
This is such a gorgeous and ladylike outfit! You are looking so glamorous and Kate Spade has been nailing it with the wonderful collections lately. ๐ I also agree on your mindset, beating yourself up about something that you have no power to change anymore or don’t have control over, won’t make things better in any way but instead it will steal the joy of the present moment.
https://lartoffashion.com/new-years-resolutions/
Well said! Thanks for chiming in, Natali! Happy New Year xx
Thank you so much for sharing! I came down with the flu after being a bridesmaid for an out of town wedding on Dec. 30 – and needed to still host New Years’ Eve for the bride and fly back home. It’s been so hard seeing all these motivational healthy posts when I still have two weeks of luggage on my floor and Christmas decor still up. So thank you for being real! I’ll be starting 2018 right there with you next Monday! And enjoying my unintentional extended twinkly lights display until then!
Sounds like the perfect storm… Glad you’re able to look on the bright side! Hope you’re feeling better and getting back on track. xoxo
Experienced exact same! Forgot what it was like to feel so sick. I couldn’t move. The fever and body aches the worst. I lived on oyster crackers and ricola drops. What I learned health is wealth and the rest is all nonsense. Here’s to a healthy 2018 for us!
Allllllll of the healthy vibes for 2018! Hope you get well soon, lady! xo