2018 In Review
Well I’m officially ‘back to work’ this week so we’re back to regular posting on the blog and I have to say, I’m feeling great! 2017 was a shitshow of a year so last year, I tried very hard to make sure that I didn’t burnout again. 2018 was a year with lots of ups and a few downs but as I looked back at 2018 I couldn’t help but feel a lot of pride and gratitude for what was for the most part, a pretty great year.
Today I thought I’d share a bit of a year in review for 2018. I’d had full intentions to get this post up before the new year but instead, I took a few weeks off over the holidays and took a step back from the blog to re-evaluate what I want heading into 2019.
Let’s take a look back a 2018….
Kresswell Interiors Takes Off!
2018 was the year that Kresswell Interiors really took off. When Kristina and I first decided to launch Kresswell Interiors together in 2016 (!!) we’d had full intentions of being an online only interior design business. We spent the better part of a year planning, preparing and working away on our business so that when we decided to officially open for business mid 2017, we’d feel ready to slowly grow. Well, that’s not quite what happened (AKA not at all what happened! haha) and I couldn’t be happier with the full 180 our business plan took! It didn’t take us long to realize that the online design would have to take a lesser role in our business to accommodate our in person clients. We’ve been blown away by the amazing response to our business and in early 2018 we realized the need to take Kresswell Interiors full time which was fabulous on that front but meant that my original plans of focussing on 204 Park and Kresswell Interiors equally had to change pretty darn quick! For 2019 we already have some incredible projects lined up and I’m so grateful for the support Kristina and I have had. In 2018 our biggest success had to be #TheOliverEscape project that was the first renovation project that Kristina and I took on together officially as Kresswell Interiors!
The Year of Road Trips
In sitting down to write this post I realized that 2018 was kind of the year of the mini vacations/road trips. James and I rang in the new year with two of our closest friends in Banff and decided that spending new years in the mountains is kind of the best. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - there’s just something about the mountains that I can’t get enough of so James and I tried to go a few times this year to take advantage of the Rocky Mountains (gotta love Alberta!).
I made it to British Columbia 5 times - two girls trips (Kelowna, Radium), two trips with James (Fairmont, Vancouver), and one quick work day trip to Vancouver.
I also went on a whirlwind 3 day trip to Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto with my bestie thanks to Ford, Candace and I took a girls trip to Palm Springs to unwind and Tracey and I made a day trip to Drumheller.
It’s been awhile since James and I have been able to go on a ‘major’ trip together but I really enjoyed taking many smaller 1 day to 1 week long trips this year that were closer by. I’m glad that I made it a priority this year to take time off, step back and unwind.
Day Trip to Drumheller // A Designers Guide to Vancouver
So Much Self Care
On that note, 2018 was the year of self care. I won’t lie - 2017 was a mess for me personally and I feel like I totally burned out and it took me a long time to recover. I talked a bit about my struggles with motivation and energy at this time last year because I was still totally exhausted from a year of not taking care of myself.
On the blog I dubbed February my self care month but really, all of 2018 was a self care year. I had to learn how to say no and believe me, I said it often. I had to struggle with my people pleasing ways and learn to prioritize myself (which is still a work in progress BTW). I went back to therapy, and I made small goals to take care of myself mentally, physically and emotionally.
Halfway through the year, once I felt a bit more rested and stable - I tackled my physical health in a pretty big way. I lost 30lbs and made major changes in my life. Over 6 months later I’m happy to say that I’ve been keeping up with a lot of those habits and I’ve been able to keep most of the weight off (within 5-8lbs depending on the week). The holidays were admittedly a bit of a tough time and I succumbed to probably a few too many sugary treats and dinners out but the changes I made and what I learned from that program have stuck with me and I’m still feeling amazing!
Let’s Talk, Getting Healthy: Part One // Part Two // Part Three
The Most Popular Post
Lastly I thought I’d share the most popular post of 2018. 2018 was a great year for the blog thanks to Pinterest and I have to say it’s pretty cool seeing your own home pop up all over the internet. (What’s not so cool is seeing other people trying to pass your work off as their own but c’est la vie in the age of the internet I suppose). Thanks to Pinterest my front entryway made a huge splash and last year, this post was the most popular post of the year!
Thanks so much for such a great year. As I look forward to 2019 I’m excited for what’s to come for both my blog and design business. I couldn’t do what I love every day if it weren’t for everyone who likes, comments, shares, tweets and pins these photos and posts daily so thank you! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead my friends! xo
