Reflections of 2018

This post contains affiliate links, this means that I receive a small commission for purchases made for the products linked here. This in no way changes the price you pay for the product, but it allows me to offset the costs associated with blogging..

Wow, what a ride this year has been! This year has brought a lot of life lessons, that now I am glad to have learned – when I was going through them I wasn’t so glad. Life surely is a roller coaster ride with all its twists and turns to keep things interesting and us on our toes.

Although I started this blog in October 2017 I really didn’t dig in and try to make it into something until about June of this year. I’m so glad that I pushed forward. It is way more work than I thought in the beginning (we all seem to learn this one) but so worth it. I haven’t been as consistent as I wanted to be, but I have seen solid growth month after month.

I have gained a community of colleagues who genuinely care and encourage each other, me included. This blogging journey has been so fulfilling and has helped me to use my life experiences to encourage others.

I have been working on some products for my store https://jonestn.myshopify.com/ Mostly t-shirts, mugs, and printables. I do have have some drop-ship items that enhance self care as well. I have been making products in spurts as inspiration hits, and hope to get this more on a schedule in the coming year.

This year was a huge year of personal growth. I’ve been learning how to handle my anxiety better. I have finally arrived at a place where I can make it through a court hearing without becoming triggered. I hope soon to make further progress that benefits my ability to handle my case. I think this is the best thing that has happened during my 4 year divorce, I have been given time to work on my healing.

My faith and testimony have grown so much over the last 4 years, but especially over the last year. I have really learned that God has my back on so many levels. From providing means to buy food and gas, to protecting my kids from harm.

I still have days where I imagine God speaking to Satan saying “Have you considered My servant Tamie…” Yes, I realize some will view this as blasphemy. Having read the book of Job, I know that God never left Job and replaced all that Satan had taken from him. So I can rest assured that even in the extremely painful parts of life, God has my back and will replace all that is stolen from me.

My youngest started Pre-K. That took a while to adjust to, for both of us. I love having my kids around me and then to have none home during the day was odd to me. I have found things to occupy my mind so I don’t miss him so much.

I am now officially a morning person. I have tried for years to be one of those people who pounce on the day at 4 am. I can now say that I am one of those people. I actually love getting most of my self care done before my little one gets up for school. I also love being able to be there for my little one when school lets out and am able to spend time.

I got to go on vacation this year with most of my family. I really enjoyed the trip to Fort Myers Beach, FL. I made a decision that I would go back many more times. Our rental was open, roomy, and in a perfect location. We were only walking distance to the beach, and believe me, we wore a path.

The laid back atmosphere was just what I needed. We all got to play in the water for hours and bake under the Florida sun. My little one loved helping me peel off my sunburned skin after we returned home. I need to remember to reapply sunscreen often, but we were having too much fun. Who knows, one day I might even relocate there as the beach is my happy place.

I have learned that I can improve on some things. I would love to make some things like vacationing new traditions for my family. I have tried to look for the lesson in most things. Sometimes it was hard to see past the offense or pain, but in the end the lessons are plain to see. Hindsight is 20/20. 2018 has been a very full year. I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for the blog, for my family, and for me.

See you next year!

Follow Relate on Social Media: