2019. Where do I begin? Truthfully, I can’t even reflect on 2019 without getting teary-eyed. It honestly feels kind of like a dream. I remember towards the end of 2018 I decided to get really focused on what I wanted to accomplish in 2019. I was trying to create a very positive mindset and decided that I was going to start praying for very specific things in regards to my business and my life. For the first time ever, I was going to begin praying about my passions and I was going to do it daily. And let me tell you, I feel like it made the biggest impact on my life and, most definitely, my business.
Every single thing that I wanted to accomplish in 2019, I prayed for. I asked God to open doors for me, to lead the way, and to give me the determination to accomplish what He presented to me. I also prayed for you. I asked God to give me an amazing and diverse community of women; women who I could learn from and who could potentially learn something from me. Slowly and surely, as the year began, I started seeing things happen. Big things. Doors began to open and opportunities were being presented to me, some of which I prayed for and some I didn’t. I asked God to lead the way. Over and over. To keep me grounded and to keep me focused on Him and to move forward for His glory. I still can’t even believe some of the opportunities that were given to me this year. I am so incredibly grateful!
I learned a LOT this year, but one thing is definitely for sure and that’s the power of prayer. Was everything perfect or easy or ideal? Absolutely not, but good or bad it was Him.
TAKEAWAYS FROM 2019:
You can’t please everyone: You can’t be everything for everyone. Not everyone will like you, root for you, understand you or respect you. And that is 100% OKAY! You have to let that shit go. My value is found in Jesus, my family, and my friends. And in those who choose to be a part of the community I have here.
Quote: “Don’t take criticism from someone whom you’d never go to for advice.”
Sacrifice: Big things and big changes don’t happen without big sacrifices. God may open doors for you, but YOU have put in the work. Nothing comes easy. You have to fight to reach your goals and your dreams. Those sacrifices, though, look different for everyone, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. If you’re trying to lose weight then that may mean that you need to spend more time focusing on exercise and nutrition. For me, I had big goals for The Sister Studio, which meant I had to travel more for work, I had to pass on girls’ nights and such so I could work in the evenings while my kids in were in bed, and I often had to work when those around me were enjoying time together…and so on and so on. Let me tell you, I worked my ass of this year and I sacrificed a lot and, truthfully, I am very proud of that.
Quote: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or what you’re learning to do.”
SOME GOALS FOR 2020:
I have a long list of things I’m hoping to accomplish this year, here are a few things included on that list:
Business Goal: Continue to stay in my own lane and ride my own wave. Blogging is a very saturated industry and full of a lot of wonderful and very talented people. Good news, there is room for all of us. We all have our own talents and we can all be successful. This goes for any career you’re in. However, when we spend our time watching what everyone else is doing, we’re spending less time focusing on ourselves and what we want to accomplish. Or, worse, we find ourselves questioning our goals because they don’t match up to someone else’s goals.
I feel my happiest, most driven, and the most unique when I don’t spend ample time watching, scrolling, and reading what other bloggers/people are doing. I do have people who I love to follow so I try to keep up with those people, but then I move on…rather than falling down a social media rabbit hole. We can spend time growing ourselves and our own businesses or we can spend time watching others grow theirs.
Business Goal: To be the best resource I can be. This is always a goal of mine, but I want to take this to the next level in 2020. More product reviews, more how-to’s, more easy tutorials, etc. Not that I won’t continue to share affordable fashion finds, but I also want to be a good resource for other categories as well. Home, beauty, mom-life, etc.
Personal Goal: More quality time with family. I want to spend more time doing activities with my kids, my sisters, my husband, and my family. I do think being present with family is amazing, but actually doing things with them is really special. Whether it’s planning a game night with with my mom and sisters, taking my kids to the park for a picnic, or taking a cooking class with Kyle; rather than just being present, I want to create and share experiences and make special memories. I want to do life with the ones I love. This also means I have to be better about prioritizing my time…which is also a goal of mine.
MY PRAYER FOR 2020:
Dear Heavenly Father, please wrap your arms around us and our families. Give us the courage and determination to chase our dreams and the endurance to stay on track. Remind us that we are capable, we are worthy, we are beautiful, and we are valued. Allow us to see ourselves the way you see us. Help us to see the importance of self-care, the value in being kind, and the glory in giving grace to others. Help us renew our faith in you, to let go of things we cannot control, to know that, through you, we can do BIG things. Encourage us to love and support one another and to remember that life is precious. And, please Lord, make all things new in our hearts and in our minds; shine your light through us. May we move forward for your glory and see all of your plans for us succeed! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I say this all the time, but we have ONE life. Chase your dreams and do what makes you happy. Don’t waste your time being upset and angry about things you can’t control. Remove toxic people from your life and LIVE. Life is so short; there is no better time than NOW to accomplish your goals, chase your dreams, and follow your passions. You are capable of BIG THINGS!
p.s. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your advice, your help, your feedback, your trust, and your time. 2019 would NOT have been what it was without you all. Truthfully, without you, so many aspects of my business and so many opportunities that were presented to me wouldn’t be possible. Thank you just isn’t enough. I wish I could hug every single one of you. I am grateful for you and, trust me when I say, I pray for each of you! I wish all of you an incredible year. I’m so excited to share 2020 with you!
Sweater // Hair Ties // Beaded Bracelet // Bracelet // Cupid Bracelet // Chevron Bracelet // Mama Bracelet
Top // Beanie // Vest // Raincoat
Top // Beanie // Vest // Raincoat // Socks // Hunter Boots // Leggings //Kyle’s Jeans
Hey I just wanted to say I love this post and your posts. You truly stay true to yourself and are humble and Jesus loving which sadly, is hard to find these days. Keep doing what you’re doing as I truly enjoy your posts and stories no matter what the topic! On a different note, and I don’t want this to come across as a complaint because it’s not whatsoever…I have commented on stories or messaged you a handful of times on Instagram but it’s never seen. A lot of times it’s just encouragement or a funny comment to what you’ve said or done…but I just want you to see them out of pure encouragement!!!
Hi Mandi, Thank you so much! Also, I am so sorry about messages, please know that I try SO hard to keep up. Emails are WAY FASTER. This is a prime example; I got an email that you commented so I instantly logged on to reply. My email is: Jennifer@the-sister-studio.com. There is also an “email” option in my IG bio. Please know that I’m trying so hard to respond to as many DM’s a day, I really and truly am and I’m sorry that I haven’t seen yours. xoxo!
Jen, such a beautiful post! I was a new subscriber (& purchaser) to your account this year and am hooked.
For the comments. I too left several with no response, perhaps an assistant will come in 2020 to help you?
Xoxo
Giving The Lord the glory- Amen! Thank you writing this. In a time when more people believe in the power of crossed-fingers than the Power of Jesus, this is what needs to said and shown. Again, thank you.
Thank YOU!!!
Jenn, I think you’re awesome and an inspiration to so many women of all ages (pretty sure I’m old enough to be your mom). Your words of wisdom about “Can’t please everyone” will be my mantra for 2020. Thank you for the fashion tips but mostly for keeping things real and encouraging women to support each other. ❤️
Thank you so much!! xoxo!
Jen, You have quickly become my favorite blogger and “virtual” friend. You are so real and so relatable. I am so happy for all your successes and will be rooting for you in 2020 to achieve all you want. Only downside to finding you, my bank account is lower, lol. #JenMadeMeDoIt
~Vicki
Jenn, this is so awesome! I absolutely love this and love following along with you! You are such an inspiration!
Jen..
this post brought me to tears!! You pointing us back to Jesus was just beautiful! I’ve struggled so much these last few months in my walk. You sharing and reminding the power of prayer is SO needed! It encouraged me to be bold!
Thank you for being YOU and shining your light everyday! ❤️ Love and prayers! XO
Jen- Thank you so much for being such a positive, lovely presence on social media! The first thing I did after reading your 2019 reflection was to copy your prayer and post it on my desktop so that I too can pray it daily. You truly are an inspiration in so many ways and I am so thankful that I found you! Here’s to a successful, joy-filled 2020!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I started following you on ig over the last few months. Your positivity is so refreshing. You have really encouraged me to sit down and focus on what I want. So often I feel like I’m just floating through life because I’ve stepped back a little from my job as a hairstylist from working 5/6 days a week to only 2 so I can be home with my kids and so we wouldn’t have to send them to daycare. Some days I have found myself counting down the years until I can work full time again. Then in the same breath I wonder if that’s where God wants me. I want to be able to help support our family but that would mean being in the salon more and finding someone to watch our kids. For years I’ve been all over the place with ideas to work from home and make money. Most of the time it’s ideas I get from seeing other moms. I started a blog in the fall of 2019, so it hasn’t been very long. I was feeling discouraged and didn’t know my Direction I needed to go with it. You have definitely encouraged me to keep continuing my blog. I started it is almost kind of a diary to remember moments with my family and things we’ve done.
Thank you for the encouragement with my prayer life with my direction and just with your own stories your posted on ig. Thank you.
Keep on trucking! You GOT THIS! Thank you so much for message and for bring here! Wishing you lots of success and happiness in 2020!
Jen, you are hands down one of my favorite bloggers, but
I must admit that I haven’t always watched every story, liked every post, or took the time to read every blog. THIS however caught my eye today and it has truly touched me. I’m a self employed, single mother and I’ve been struggling with a lot of doubts and fears for 2020. I am very strong in my faith & I work hard, but it seems like the devil has been trying to destroy my trust and faith in God. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this! As I read this tonight I was reminded of the power of prayer, and even could feel the belief in myself coming back to life! Thank you for your encouragement and sharing your life with so many people. I truly believe people/things are put in our path for a reason and I want you to know that, YOU are such a beautiful person inside and out!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Shannon! I appreciate your kindness more than you know!
Thank you for such a beautiful post. Your prayer is exactly what I needed and will refer back to it often! Much love you and your family this 2020!
Thank you so much!!!!
Aw, Jen, it’s been fun getting to know you through your IG page. Honestly, I’m a bit older than you (but young enough to be your big sis -I don’t have any younger siblings-score), but I’ve picked up some good style tips and awesome gift buying ideas!! (My new shoe/booties wardrobe is so fun and cool!) The nice part is my 16 year old daughter also follows you, so it’s fun for us to talk about your stories and suggestions! She only has big brothers, so you’re like a big sis to her! Thanks for the positivity, love for family & eye for fashion and deals, that you’ve brought to us! Happy 2020!! xo Paula
This makes me smile so big! Thank you so much for sharing!! Happy 2020!
WOW! Inspiring to say the least. I love that you are using your platform and praising God, and giving Him glory. AND I LOVE that you are praying for your followers. I am praying God blesses you more in 2020 than ever. Much love.
THANK YOU so much! p.s. My sister is also a Jodi! 🙂