Giving Thanks 2019

Before the turkey, pecan pie and shots of Crown Royal start flowing, I wanted to take some time to step back and really look at what I’m grateful for. It’s been three years since I did a post like this, but it used to be something that I did yearly. It was a chance to truly chronicle the things that I had to be grateful for during that year - the big and the small things. This year, I tried to focus on the things from 2019 specifically, as opposed to the things I’m grateful for year after year.

You can check out the posts from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016, if you’re interested.

What I’m thankful for in 2019:

Turning ModlyChic into my full-time job. In January I took this leap and it is certainly one of the things I am most thankful for this year. Taking this hobby and turning it into a career has been a scary and amazing opportunity. I’ve been able to make new friends, experience new things, work with amazing brands, make my own schedule. It’s been amazing.
Having the whole family in the state again. It isn’t often that we all live in the same state. At any given time one of us is usually living somewhere else, whether it is for school or work. But as of this fall, Monica moved back home from Boston and we are all together again.
New friendships. Let’s face it, friendship is difficult as an adult. It’s hard to keep up old friendships and it is even more challenging to make new friends. But I’ve been working at it this year and am so grateful to have a number of new people to call friends.
Three months migraine free. If you know me at all, you know I have suffered for almost 20 years from debilitating migraines. Some years they have left me in bed for up to 5 days at a time. Medicines don’t work. It’s been a frustrating experience. But this year I started to see a therapist to work through the things that were causing me stress and therefore causing me migraines. She has helped me so significantly, that I haven’t spent a single day in bed with a migraine in THREE months. (Three months might not seem like a lot, but for a migraine sufferer that is an eternity of good days.)
Orange Theory Fitness. Okay, that might sound ridiculous to be thankful for the gym I attend. But I am. I was getting bored with running. I was not loving the gym I belonged to. I didn’t see any changes happening - other than gaining weight. And then I joined OTF. Now I am faster and stronger than ever before.
A brother who works car magic. Tom has helped me more times than I can count with my car. This year, beyond all the oil changes he does free of charge, he changed my tires and break pads! And he’s always up for helping, without a complaint.
Speaking to girls/women about fashion. I love that this blogging gig allows me the chance to talk to different groups about fashion principles. This year I addressed leadership groups in both Miami and Milwaukee. Plus, I’m booked to be on the panel for Fashion Matters Chicago event in March.
Audiobooks with depth. This year, in addition to some fun fiction books, I spent a lot of my reading time on biographies and personal development books. The advice and suggestions I’ve gleaned from those books have been invaluable in forming the 2019 Katy. (More on those books in a December post.)
A new haircut that is so me. Yes, my hair journey is often a tale of two extremes, but this long-bob cut is so me and possibly my favorite hair cut ever. (Although the old Victoria Beckham cut I had in my St. Louis days is still close to #1.)
No diet! Because of my migraines I have been on so many crazy diets over the last 15 years. Some of them have been really difficult and discouraging. Others have been more manageable. But all of them were eventually abandoned when they didn’t stop the migraines. Now, beyond a couple trigger foods, I can eat anything. And it’s awesome.
Amazing blog experiences! This year I’ve been able to experience so many amazing things thanks to ModlyChic, and her readers like all of you. For the first time I attended: the Chicago Auto Show, LakeShake, the Air and Water Show, Festival of Barrel-Aged Beer, Mother Truckin’ Booze Fest. I also was able to meet: Nigel Barker, Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, and Chris Janson. I caught a Cubs game. I got to see Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean and so many more amazing artists perform live. I worked with stellar brands like Olay, LEE Denim, Macy’s, Dunkin, Peach, Amazon, Red Roof, etc… (I am well aware of how blessed I am to have this job, and still fall prey to imposter syndrome almost every time I head off to another blog event. How is this real life?!)
All of YOU! ModlyChic would not be possible without all of you that read, comment, like and otherwise interact with me through this platform. I read every comment and DM. I try to respond to each of them in a timely manner and LOVE hearing from you. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for coming along for this ride and allowing me to have a job that fills my bucket to overflowing each and every day.