2017 The Year of New Beginnings!

Photo Credit: Ali Stone of Those White Walls

We are already two weeks into 2017, but I didn’t want to wait too long to do a recap of my 2016. It took me a while to write this post for many reasons. Let me just say that 2016 was an amazing year, despite some things that occurred.

2016 was the year the I turned 30 years old! It was an amazing year, I got a new job, my blog was going well, I traveled, and was really enjoying life but what happened next I never expected to happen. I was headed out-of-town to celebrate my BIG 30th birthday in LA and then it happened, I got called into a “meeting” and I got let go from my job. The Wednesday before my vacation! In my 15 years of working, I have never been let go from a job. At the age of 30, it happened to me. I had only been at this job for six months but that didn’t matter, it was time to go. I will never forget the feeling of just really not caring as I packed up my desk. The manager asked if I “needed help” packing my things and I kindly declined. All of the emotions of that moment are now just a blur to me. I was mad, hurt, unsure, and didn’t know what to think. Of course the next few days I sat thinking “why me”, and “how could this happen to me.” But the truth is I had to get myself together because it wasn’t the end of the world but in fact a new beginning for me. God opened a new door for me and pushed me to take that leap. God makes no mistakes and I trust his timing on everything in my life. If I hadn’t  lost my job, I don’t think I would have taken the leap myself. I have always dreamed of being a full-time entrepreneur but now is the perfect timing. When one door closes, another one opens! I AM NOT DEFEATED!

So we went on vacation to LA, I had an amazing time. I didn’t spend too much time thinking about what just happened because I wanted to enjoy my birthday. I told myself when I got back is when I would plan and strategize goals for my blog and business.

When I got back, things got real. I realized that I had to make moves, I had to plan because I didn’t have time to sit and cry about losing my job. Honestly, I had to get on my grind and make stuff happen for me and my family. I couldn’t sit and wait for something magical to happen, I had to start putting in the work!

While I worked my 9-5 I blogged but I wasn’t putting my all into it like I am able to do now. It was always just a side hustle that I secretly dreamed of doing full-time. But, the time is now and I decided to jump and go all in! Being an entrepreneur is not easy by any means, but its worth it. I worked since I was 15 and honestly hated every single day of working for someone else. I have worked so many jobs where I felt so undervalued and unappreciated. Since having my daughter I have always wanted to be able to be at home with her and now I am doing that and I LOVE every moment. I honestly feel so much closer to my daughter than ever! I am taking this time to reflect and spend time with my family. Some family members keep asking me am I looking for another job and the answer is no. I am glad that I didn’t just jump back into something that didn’t fit or that was a quick fix. I am enjoying this time and looking forward to what this new chapter in my life will bring! 2017 is the year of growth and manifesting my dreams into reality by putting in the work!

If I didn’t have my blog to fall back on I don’t know what would have happened. Quite honestly this story probably would have a different ending. But I had my own thing going, so as traumatic this job loss was, I had something to keep me going and I am grateful for that. I am so excited about the growth and endless possibilities of Happily Ever Natural and where the New Year is taking me!

Thank you all for always rocking with me! 2017 is already LIT and we are only two weeks in! My word for 2017 is MANIFEST! The only way to go from here is UP!

xo

Michelle