Dear Tiffany, You Are OK

**Writing this in my finest yoga pants**

A few weeks back, I talked your ear off about New Years Resolutions and cutting yourself some slack. I think it's important for us to recognize that while maybe we didn't capitalize on that gym membership, or save the amount of money we wanted to, that we're still OK. We survived 2017, which if you happen to watch the news at all, is a huge feat.

I think we should absolutely have goals and aspirations. What I don't believe is that we should fixate so much on them that we end up ignoring some of the amazing things we did this year.

So as promised, here is my letter to myself to bid 2017 adieu.

Dear Tiffany,

First of all, what a year it has been for you. You're sitting here blogging for your very own business. I bet you never thought you'd see the day where this would be a possibility. While you've never been much of a risk taker, making this leap is honestly the biggest accomplishment of this last year. While you had help and support along the way, all of the drive and motivation came directly from you and I am so excited to see what the future holds for you and your business.

Looking back on the year, you really wanted to focus on continuing to manage your anxiety in a healthy and more positive way. Anxiety has been something that you've struggled with probably longer than you realize; however, there have been some low points in your life where it has really slowed you down. Worry and fear have been some strong emotions that have paralyzed you at times, although with each passing year the panic attacks have become less frequent. You've always had a strong support system that has helped you through anxiety, and now you are really using that energy for good. You're finally starting to realize that while your anxiety will never go away completely, you continue to learn how to manage it better.

2017 has also brought you some other unexpected hardship that you have never known before. After the thought of expanding your family of two to three finally became a reality in September, what you didn't realize was that in life there are no guarantees and timing just wasn't on your side for this one. While it seems everyone around you is either having babies or talking about them, you were wondering when your body was going to feel back to normal after the miscarriage, and when you could start being around babies again without feeling a hard lump in the back of your throat. That must have been so hard, to deal with that loss, and also start your own business — but I want to commend you for that too. You're a soldier, and you powered through a challenging time, and I have no doubt the right time will come for you again.

You have mourned another loss this year — the loss of your corporate life and your old job. You have felt inadequate at times, not successful, and most of all confused. Just know that like any loss, you have let time pass and get adjusted. Change isn't always easy for you but keep at it. You will feel like a contributing human again, I promise.

Starting your own business can also be stressful for a marriage. I have seen you and your husband power through life together, and wonder how you have done this since 2002. Being a new entrepreneur and working from home can be lonely, and has caused you to resent your his schedule sometimes. Just know that feeling will pass. You will soon adjust to this new schedule freedom, and lean on the community of other entrepreneurs in your network. Don't make your husband the enemy; he has always been your biggest fan. You are very lucky.

In a nutshell, 2017 has been an incredible year of self-discovery for you. You've tested yourself in ways you never thought were possible. You have experienced extreme accomplishments, and also loss. You have made some great new friends and connected with some great people. You have also realized some people maybe aren't the friends you thought they were. You have learned some tough lessons, but the rewards have been great.

I look forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for you. You are OK.

xoxo,
Tiffany

Bring it, 2018 — I am ready for whatever you got. And so are all of you!