The most important lesson I learned in 2015 is that you only get one life, and it is in your control to decide how to spend it.
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My word for 2016 is ENJOY. I’m done with being an overwhelmed mother and entrepreneur. Brigid Schulte’s book, Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has The Time, let me know that I was not crazy to feel overwhelmed, nor was I alone, and most importantly, there was something I could do about it. Laura Vanderkam’s book, I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time, gave me specific strategies to fit more ENJOYable activities into my life without feeling as though I am abandoning my family and business. I highly recommend you read both!
I’ve been waiting for the so-called “easier” stage of parenthood, when my boys would finally be 2 and 4, since the oldest was born. I thought that day would finally come this week, when Max turned 4, and then there was our worst trip to the airport ever this week… I’ve figured out by now that it isn’t going to be the miraculous switch I was hoping for, but life with the kids is much easier than it used to be. I am so very grateful.
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Going back to the constant quest to make life more enjoyable…I ask you to think about your goals, and what has been holding you back. Last year I decided that I was over feeling that I wasn’t allowed to fill up my own well, only others. So, I went back to exercising for the first time in 2 1/2 years, fostering an obsession with [solidcore]. I also discovered Audible.com, which allowed me to finally get back to “reading”, a lifelong passion.
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What do you want and how are you going to get it?
Kyle and I meet women all the time who tell us that they are sick of not feeling good in or about the clothes filling their closet. This makes me sad, because I know it doesn’t have to be that way. I implore you, please ask for help. Whether you hire a personal stylist or buy a book on personal style off Amazon, just do something to create a wardrobe you love and start feeling good about yourself today, not someday.
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2016 Goals
2016’s specific goals are to get truly strong in both body and business, reconnect with my long-neglected husband, create a gratitude practice, and lay the foundation I need to write a book. I’m adding in an extra exercise session each week and scheduling monthly check-ins with Kyle to monitor the state of our annual business goals. I’ve re-established date night as a priority, and Mr. Real Life Style has even moved heaven and earth for us to have a kidless weekend away together (first time since James was born!) in the spring.
How do I lay the foundation I need to write my own book on style? This is where you come in, dear reader. What one needs to get a book deal these days is a lot of social media followers and blog subscribers. I’m asking each of you, my fabulous, amazing, loyal blog readers, to help me achieve my dream of helping as many women feel good about themselves as I can. I’m asking you to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and to ask 5 of your friends to sign up for the blog and to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. (Of course, don’t stop at 5 if you know of more than 5 women who would enjoy receiving free fashion advice in their inbox once a week.)
The blog reader who gets the most subscribers will receive a reward of 4 hours of styling with Kyle, one of our stylists. Let the games begin!
Love,
Lani Inlander is a personal stylist, working with clients who want to feel their best and look put-together every day. You can find her in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and New York areas.
You can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
