As 2019 (and the decade!) wind to a conclusion, I’m feeling spent after all that life threw at me, but I’m proud to have persevered through it.

Here’s a look back at my year of joy…

Life
• Mom and I became Reiki I and then Reiki II attuned!

• I delivered the commencement speech at this year’s White Mountains Community College graduation!

• I figured something is better than nothing and started an automatic transfer of $25 a week into my IRA.

• I took on the role of Executive Assistant to Emshika Alberini, the job I had right before becomming self-employed. It’s part time, flexible, and I mostly work from the studio. I learn so much from Emshika and love working for her. I also love not having to pay self-employed tax on this income! (Don’t sweat, I’m still running Miss MegaBug.)

Joy
• After an incredibly busy start to the year, I took a week off in April. A selfcation!

• Nanny booked a week at the White Lamp Cottages in July and it ended up being a very rejuvenating and relaxing time. We loved the cottages and their location right on Old Orchard Beach so much, that Nanny already booked a week in July 2020!

• I reevaluated my business offerings and let go of services that don’t bring me joy, including graphic design and social media.

• In their place, I began offering additional services that do bring me joy and have a greater impact on budding entrepreneurs, including in-person and online classes.

• I said no to events and plans that did not align with my joy- and I didn’t always feel guilty about it!

• I set a goal to read 25 books this year and I read 20! Not too bad.

• I got better at planning more fun, including trips, time with friends, and relaxation (such as reiki, massages, and the first facial of my life!).

• Since Shelby and I are carpooling to work, I’m developing a morning and evening routine that I love, one step at a time.

• I made the time to cook more and tested a bunch of new recipes!

• In addition to cooking more, I began making my own toothpaste and other essentials to reduce my packaging waste.

• At the end of December, I enjoyed my first facial! I’m hooked on my new skincare routine as a result.

Business
• I completed at least one course/informational webinar per month, including Foodtography School! I signed up for Marie Forleo’s BSchool but I still have to finish it.

• By March of this year I had doubled what I made by March of last year.

• Patti and I opened the studio to guest instructors and I founded the Posse of Proprietors: A Self-Employed Support Group that has filled the need for an entrepreneurial community in northern NH. I look forward to our meetings every month and feel so empowered that our members do as well.

• I launched my first online course, Digital Photography 101, in May! A few months later I launched online Facebook Facelift, Instagram Insight, and Create with Canva.

• After three years together, Patti moved out of the studio to pursue retirement, time with family, and other creative pursuits.

• I had the slowest season in my business to date, spanning from June through November. (I blame Pluto retrograde!). Despite my incredible start to the year, that 5-6 month dry spell was tough.

• Between having to make up for Patti’s portion of the rent and experiencing a slump in business, I had to take out a business loan. I was super ashamed and hard on myself, but I am now working towards building a larger savings in my business bank account to prevent this from ever happening again. And in one month, the loan will be paid off!

• I finished my business plan for The Tannery Marketplace and am working on finding an investor.

Though I worked way more than I wanted to towards the end of this year, I have huge plans and am resolving to do what it takes to get there. However, I am working towards setting more boundaries and making more time for rest. I want the 2020s to be the decade where I shift towards working less.