2020 Life Update (Family, Blogging, Lessons Learned)

Sharing a 2020 Life Update with a family update, blogging update, and important lessons I’ve learned over the past few months.

2020 Life Update (Family, Blogging, Lessons Learned)

Hey everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend and are doing well amidst all the circumstances going on in our world right now.

Since it’s been a serious hot minute since I’ve did a family/blogging update, I wanted to share a mid-year life update today with you all.

Not only has so much changed and happened since sharing my 2020 Goals with you all, but it’s been an adjustment simply getting used to a new normal around here.

The past 3 months forced me to really slow down, re-evaluate what I’m doing with my time and energy, and have been really eye-opening.

I don’t think any of us wanted for COVID-19 to happen, but in looking back on the last few months I’m honestly thankful for the many blessings in disguise.

Related: It’s Okay to Slow Down

2020 Life Update – Family

Having to shelter-in-place with my family for several months brought us all closer together, allowed us to spend much needed quality time together, and taught me to be more appreciative of the things I’ve all too easily taken for granted in the past.

We’ve had so many fun movie nights together, played all the board games, built blanket forts, jumped on the trampoline like nobody’s business, and baked so many yummy desserts. I’ve also been organizing like crazy and tackling tons of DIY projects with my husband.

It’s truly been awesome and I’m so thankful for all the time with my husband and boys.

As I shared on my IG stories, yesterday was the first time we were able to attend an in-person church service in 3 months. Not only was it amazing being back in church and singing on my praise team again, but I forgot how much I missed that weekly in-person interaction with my church family.

Our boys also graduated from 2nd and 4th grade a few weeks back after doing virtual lessons at home since March. They of course couldn’t graduate in person and we had to pick up their items and say their goodbyes via a car pick-up graduation.

I definitely shed some tears over the fact that they had to miss out on so much this year with their schooling and that they didn’t get to participate in all the fun, end-of-the-year events, but I’m thankful they’ve both remained healthy and safe at home with us.

My youngest son officially moves on to elementary school next year and it will be my oldest son’s last year in elementary school. Coming to terms with the fact that they’re growing up so fast has been really HARD lately and it’s one of those things no one tells you about parenthood. Having to watch your babies grow up is HARD.

And if the end of the school year thing didn’t already turn me into an emotional train-wreck, the fact that my oldest son turned 10 years old 2 weeks ago sure did. He was JUST a tiny baby yesterday and now he’s 10?! My youngest also turned 8 back in February. Here’s photos of both of them on their birthdays.

Trust me when I say that life doesn’t slow down for anyone, and the months and years roll by as quick as they can. And if there’s one takeaway from that, it’s to make the most of every moment you have with the people you love and don’t take it for granted. And that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing.

2020 Life Update – Blogging

On the blogging front, I’ve definitely had to make some adjustments. The current recession-like economy has been hard on everyone, and the blogging/self-employed community is no exception to the mix.

But if there’s one thing I learned many years ago when first making the decision to become self-employed, it’s that you always have to be ready and able to adapt to changes and able to persevere even when times get tough.

Instead of worrying so much about all the things that are beyond my control, I’ve re-focused my efforts on continually improving my SEO and Pinterest marketing, and putting energy into new content creation for you all.

Earlier this year I decided in addition to beauty content I wanted to start posting more recipes, and you all have been LOVING it. Just as makeup is a creative outlet for me, I have so much fun baking and creating delicious, family-friendly recipes. You can check out all my recent recipes over here.

As requested, I’ve also started sharing more affordable fashion hauls and FINALLY joined the fun world of TikTok. Follow me over here, if you’re on there!

Another exciting thing that happened earlier this year was being featured as the SHE Media Partner of the Week on the BlogHer website. It was such an honor to be featured and I really loved sharing a little bit more about my blog and the reasons I started it. You can read my full interview over here where I share my favorite posts to date, helpful blogging tips, and advice I would give others in the blogging industry.

Last but certainly not least, I shared this fun photo creation on Instagram here to announce a HUGE milestone I surpassed in the month of April on my blog. I finally hit 100,000 monthly pageviews! Even better, not only did I meet the goal but I actually exceeded it by 22,000 views and my blog continues to grow.

I know a lot of people in the blogging world don’t share their stats, but this is something I’ve worked really hard for and I share it not to brag, but to remind others to keep dreaming big and pushing toward your goals.

I am forever grateful to have such a sweet and supportive community following along, and I can’t wait to see what’s next around the corner.

What’s Next?

2020 has been a crazy year so far. So many unexpected things have happened and continue to happen throughout our nation to try to divide us and tear us all apart. I’ve had to literally log off social media and mute and unfollow some accounts in the last several weeks because of the overwhelm from it all, and it has helped.

It can be easy to get caught up in all the bad and only choose to focus attention on that, but I’m choosing instead to focus on the good. I’ve heard so many people say 2020 is a bust or it’s a waste of a year, but I disagree.

Everything that has happened this year has taught us something. It’s taught us the importance of family. The importance of health. The importance of not taking simple things in this life for granted.

I’m not really sure what’s next for me and my family this year, but I do know that when I look back on 2020 I’m going to remember all the GOOD and remember how it brought us closer together.

As always, I’m continuing to pray for our nation and each of you, and I hope that this year has brought you closer to your families as well.

 

Thanks for stopping by – Cara