Uncategorized2014…you were complicated January 7, 2015I am finally re-entering the blogging world with my first post of 2015! We had an amazing Christmas with our family and I have to be honest, though I love this blog and this community and Instagram and all of it so, so much, it was really nice and refreshing to unplug for a bit. I think you need those times, you know? Anyway, I’m glad to be back! I hope you are and let’s get on with it, shall we? I love all of the 2014 recap posts, popular project posts, etc. that the New Year always brings in blogging land. I always plan to write one of my own because it’s so neat to see personally (and hopefully for you guys too) how much can happen in one short year! This year, my post was a little harder to write. I would have to say that 2014 was my best year yet. It was so eventful, both personally and professionally and I am beyond grateful. But it was also my hardest. I had more trials this year than any year before. I had more obstacles. And I had more lessons learned. And it’s awfully hard to sum you up in one little post, but there are a few things I do want to share. How about we start with the good? I am blown away by my little White Buffalo brand this year! I had some opportunities that were a dream. I won’t rehash them all, but here are a few highlights… Top Three Creating with the Stars Finalist last spring. Check out each week’s entry here: Office | DIY Kilim Wall | Dough Bowl Coffee Table & DIY Moroccan Wedding Blanket | Bedroom Redo Looking back, that contest about killed me! Those projects were due one week after the other and I didn’t work very much ahead other than brainstorming because you never knew if you were making it onto another round. But I loved it and it really challenged me creatively. I got to do several Home Depot Style Challenges this year, which are some of my favorite projects I’ve ever done! First up, the Patio Style Challenge was sweet! Yes, this one was due in the MIDDLE of CWTS and I’m still not sure how we survived, but we did! And we still love this space. I’m ready for warmer weather to enjoy it again! Read more about this one here. We had a great time styling Our New Dining Room for the Harvest Challenge. See all posts on this one here. And for Christmas, we re-did our fireplace. This was so easy, but is probably my favorite project we’ve ever done. I love its impact. You can read about this here: Fireplace Before & After | DIY Sconces | DIY Faux Marble Fire Screen I got to attend the Better Homes and Gardens Stylemaker’s Workshop in NYC in September with some awesome friends of mine. This is still one of those, “Did that really happen?” things! One of the biggest things in this blog year was making the decision to quit teaching last June and go at blogging full time. I still wake up every day and can’t believe I get to do this! I feel really blessed and honored. And another big thing that happened this year (OKAY THE BIGGEST THING) is learning that our Baby Buffalo, Ms. Rosie Mills was on the way. Check out our announcement post here. And then we found it was a little girl. And then, we gave her a name with an amazing story behind it. Obviously, this is the highlight of my year personally! And I have to say, it’s been a White Buffalo highlight too. You guys have given us so much support and have been so sweet about her, it blows my mind! I’m grateful because while this will not turn into a baby blog, obviously, she’ll be making some appearances! And ummm…did you notice that due date up there? 20 DAYS. Ahh! I can’t wait to meet her and then introduce her to all of you. So, where does it get complicated? Well, amidst all of this excitement and pure full-time blogging bliss, there were growing pains. Amidst a baby coming and preparing for her, there was a lot of self-reflection and growth. And I kind of realized the same thing about myself across the board: I have always been a dreamer. I’m always looking ahead and dreaming dreams, planning out my next ten moves, and going after it. And I am so grateful for those qualities because they have made this brand and staying at home with my baby a reality. But I realized some things this year that really stopped me dead in my tracks. In dreaming those big dreams for my life and The White Buffalo, a couple of things were happening. I was rushing through the present and missing all of the wonderful progress of the NOW. I was missing moments. I was missing small victories and triumphs because while they were wonderful, they weren’t where I’m ultimately headed, so it’s easy to not think they matter. And though I know who I am clearly and my whole blog is about living unashamedly as yourself, in your style, with your beliefs, I lost a little of that. I’m a people pleaser. I want all of you who come here or who find us to love what you find. I’m a dreamer and always want The White Buffalo to be bigger and better. I guess some of that’s human nature. But all of that wrapped up into a pretty tight, constricting package this past fall and sort of blew up. I realized that I no longer felt creative. I was blogging for what I thought people wanted to hear or what Pinterest wanted to see. I was comparing myself to a lot of other bloggers and trying to “blog” like them when what works for them was so not working for me! And around November, all of this came crashing down and I realized something. I had lost a bit of the reason that I was doing all of this in the first place. The White Buffalo was born out of my heart and soul, who I am deep down inside. It was born out of a girl who loves setting pretty tables, redoing houses, and sharing her heart. I started out sharing things I was doing ANYWAY for us to just enjoy rather than doing projects I thought blogworld would like. And man, does that steal your joy and pile on the pressure?! You can’t be everything to everyone. In the end, you’ve got yourself to answer to, not your entire audience and I want to make sure I feel 100% proud of the work I’m putting out there. In November, I decided a change was in order and I have never felt freer. None of this was totally new, but more of a going back to where it all started. I took a step back and truly evaluated my goals, both personally and professionally. And I realized how intertwined they are. The White Buffalo isn’t just a job that happens to pay an income. It’s sharing who I am deep down inside. It doesn’t get much more personal than that! I decided to stop living for the future and living under the pressures of where I thought I should be. It is crazy how easy it is to get wrapped up in that even when your main goal is to NOT. That doesn’t mean I don’t still have dreams I’m working toward. We all need that. But I’m now okay if The White Buffalo ALWAYS stays this “size.” I want to continue making her better, but maybe that doesn’t even mean bigger. And that’s okay. I’m headed into 2015 with a refreshed perspective, a re-aligning of my purposes, and really, just one goal in mind. I know you’re probably thinking, well what does this mean for the blog? Will it change? And I’m going to address all of that tomorrow. I’m going to talk about what “JUST BE” looks like for me and the blog in 2015. I am so excited about where we’re headed. As awesome as 2014 turned out to be, the few things I know about 2015 already top this past year. And I know there will be surprises along the way! So come back tomorrow to see what JUST BE and 2015 hold for us here at The White Buffalo.
Baileywife @ IrishmanAcres says January 7, 2015 at 10:55 am And this is why I love your blog ???? and you. And your style! I had a blog that wasn’t getting followed, I was always comparing myself to the “Big Dogs”… And was sad and discouraged. And with some family tragedies that came in the fall, I just stopped blogging completely. I’m reevaluating my goals and what my family truly needs me to be for them and everything else will just fall into place! Looking forward to watching your year unfold and welcome Baby Rosie!! God Bless!! ~Kim Reply
Baileywife @ IrishmanAcres says January 7, 2015 at 2:49 pm I don’t know why those question marks showed up in the first sentence! It wasn’t a question…you are amazing. Period. ~Kim Reply
cassie says January 7, 2015 at 1:33 pm so many of us are feeling that right now- i posted a very similar post yesterday and the replies coming in- sounds like we all need to take it back a notch. best to you and your family in 2015! Reply
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says January 7, 2015 at 2:10 pm Happy New Year and your headline could have been mine too. 2015 will be amazing for you! Reply
Katie says January 7, 2015 at 2:15 pm Congrats on so many great highlights in 2014…and thank you for the honest reflections! Seems like a similar message has been surfacing, as blogging gets bigger and more sophisticated across the board. Thanks for keeping things honest and down-to-earth!! Looking forward to hearing more about what’s next for you and your blog…and of course, so excited to “meet” little Rosie. Happy new year! Reply
Kristin @ Bliss at Home says January 7, 2015 at 5:29 pm Love you so much sweet friend. You’re on a whole new journey now…the most important one you will have, being “Mommy”. I am so excited for you and the beginning of this journey for you. I really think our blogs will ebb and flow with whatever life hands us. As we change, they change. I love that you have let go of the undue pressures. Just keep on being you and I know 2015 will be a great year for you! xoxo Reply
Corinna - For My Love Of says January 7, 2015 at 10:22 pm *hugs* I seriously respect and admire you so much! I’m so glad I followed the CWTS contest this past year because it brought me to your blog! You’re doing everything right with this blog because God leads your path. I’ll be back for those details tomorrow <3 Reply
Lindsay says January 8, 2015 at 9:42 am Thank you so much, Corinna! You’re such a sweet reader and friend 🙂 Reply
Rebecca Cash says January 8, 2015 at 7:10 am I am so proud of you and how far you have come with this blog. You are an amazing person inside and out and the world is lucky to see a little piece of you in your writing. I love you friend and am getting so excited to meet Rosie. Praying for you! Reply
shar y says January 8, 2015 at 10:25 am Amazing post! And, you voiced so many of the things that I think about. Preaching to the choir, said another “People Pleaser”. I have done it all of my life and I am old enough to be your precious baby’s grandmother!! Love your blog–see it reaches all ages! Keep up the great work and thanks for the inspiration. I am adopting those words, “Just Be”! Reply
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says January 8, 2015 at 11:28 am Being you and being mommy will be a super change and one that is more important than anything else. Good for you to get off the roller-coaster and just be you. Reply
Susan Banks says January 8, 2015 at 3:39 pm A new reader/follower. I liked your reflections. Looking forward to reading more. Congratulations on your new coming addition. Little girls are such a fun and precious gift. Reply
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says January 9, 2015 at 5:07 am Thanks for your honest commentary. Seriously, the week you had CWTS plus the HD challenge I was seriously scratching my head how you got it all done. Looking forward to what 2015 brings you and your growing little family. All the best, Lindsay! Reply
Colleen Pastoor says January 12, 2015 at 7:47 pm You’ve done some amazing things this year! I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for you- I’ve been seeing a lot of ‘less is more’ posts out there lately and I completely agree. I think you’ll find your little one will help you focus on the now- you won’t want to miss a minute! Reply