Happy Holidays, friends!!! You know how I’m always saying “that was a time“?? Yes, sometimes I say it just to be overly dramatic because, let’s face it, I’ve been known to be a bit extra about things — can you blame me? But when I say (errr, write!), that phrase in the context of my ever-so-official and exciting 2019 Year-In-Review???

Well, that’s the absolute truth with a capital T — no filter, no pretense, no hyperbole. Just honest truth about a year that was certainly one for the record books. Was your year like that too? I sometimes dread looking back at the year every December and sometimes, the whole ordeal can start to feel a bit cringe-worthy with cliche phrases and all that looking-back banter. I still like to do it, though, because just going through the motion of reminiscing about one year is a great way to prepare for the upcoming year; it helps to put things in perspective and you all know how much I love putting things in perspective and analyzing until my heart’s content.

And like I said, 2019 was quite the year to remember, so I’m pretty sure that this 2019 Year-In-Review is going to be quite something as well.

In fact, there’s SO MUCH to remember that I’ve been worried that I’ll forget to include important and memorable moments — my apologies if I do, so feel free to remind me in the comments!! Like I said last year, BUCKLE UP, friends, because this is going to be epic, if you ask me! So without further ado, here are the highlights of my life online and offline for the last 12 months. Let’s get to this 2019 Year-In-Review…

I blogged about all things love and relationships, like Ms. Bear and the Fake Plant, surviving the Polar Vortex, an ode to Conversation Hearts, entitled Dude Bros on The Bachelorette and more thoughts on my father’s suicide.

Disability posts, such as ways to support disabled people, why I love talking about my disability, Mr. Rogers, the importance of disability representation and my date with the DMV.

Fantastic fashion moments, like Harry Styles at the Met Gala, this pink opal ring, unicorn love and more Etsy finds!

Fun Family Photos, including our big trip to the Big County Fair, our Christmas Trees, my 38th birthday, the Polar Vortex and our TRIP TO NYC.

(As a side note, I just have to say, again, HOW FUN our trip to the Big Apple was!! Central Park!! Broadway!! The View!! Meeting my amazing editors!! Tons of family time!! I still can’t believe we got to go and I’m so grateful to my mom and cousin for making it happen!! They’re aces, aren’t they??)

Pontificating on pop culture, like Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, the adorable Royal Baby, The Big Bang Theory finale (spoiler alert: I wasn’t a fan!), Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, how I’m a huge Shawn Mendes fan girl, Sharpay Evans and High School Musical, Taylor Swift and how 1999 was really the best year in pop culture!

And, just like in 2018, I wrote lots of social and political commentary posts because now is not the time to be silent: The culture of women apologizing, challenging toxic masculinity, why I didn’t support the Women’s March, Nick Sandmann and dangerous teens, Joe Biden and consent, women sharing successes and the Alabama abortion ban and women’s body autonomy.

Plus, I also gave my VERY FIRST speech at a political event! Oh, wow, I was so nervous, but I think it went well. And it really pumped me up!

Aside from blogging, my freelance writing career continued to grow in 2019, as you can see from this cute photo spread I made!! I wrote about my favorite (and not-so-favorite) things in the areas of relationships, disabilities and pop culture for publications like Cosmo, Glamour, The Fix and The Week and The Washington Post. Plus, my op-ed game was strong — I wrote 10 pieces for CNN Opinion!

I also broke into new publications such as The Independent, Adweek, The Daily Dot, Family Minded, Rooted In Rights, Health, HuffPost Personal, Local Love and The Riveter!

Now, I saved the best for last!! The biggest, most surprising, most unexpected, most surreal, most exciting and most thrilling thing to happen…

MY TWEET WENT VIRAL.

Can you believe it?? I still can’t, honestly! I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and it’s funny because that viral tweet is something I never worked for and something that I didn’t plan. I plan and plot every single aspect of my blog and freelance writing, but this viral tweet came out of nowhere! Needless to say, I’m still processing it all. But I’m so grateful that people responded to it! I just hope I didn’t sound too awkward in my interviews with USA Today, Good Morning America, The BBC, The Chicago Tribune and PEOPLE — not to mention the handful of live interviews I did. Oh, man, that was a time, indeed!

Whew! Whew! Whew!

Still with me, friends??

Good. Because seeing my entire year all written out like this is just a bit overwhelming!! I mean, when we’re living it and going through the year, we don’t really think about how massive it all will seem at the end, do we? We live each day and take it one step at a time. We focus on one thing at a time. The next item on our to-do list. And the next item after that. Until, well, it all adds up to 365 days of memories — good ones, bad ones, memorable ones and even ones we’d like to forget.

But then comes that moment in late December when you take everything as one big collective whole. You look at everything that happened throughout the past year and you realize, maybe for the very first time, “Wow! I did all that, didn’t I…?”

Whether it was good or bad, you survived the year! And that is something to be proud of! And, of course, something to celebrate!!

My idea of the perfect celebration? Taking some much-needed time off for the holidays!! I’m excited to kick back, relax and spend quality time with my mom and Janelle. The holidays can be hard and emotional for so many reasons. If you’re struggling this year, please know that you’re not alone. Be kind to yourself…you deserve it!

I hope you’re able to get in the festive spirit in whatever way brings you joy and peace!! I’ll be back to regular posting on Wednesday, January 8th!! Look for posts about our Christmas adventures, some new bylines and odes to one of my favorite shows of 2019 and…Peppermint Patty! Yes, the blog fun will continue in 2020. Also, feel free to send me your thoughts and ideas any time — just email me at mellow1422@aol.com!!! I always love hearing from you!! And I hope you enjoyed this 2019 year-in-review!

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there!!

I love you, friends!! And I’m so glad I got to meet so many new friends this year who found my blog after my viral tweet. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll continue on this journey with me in the new year!! I’d love to see your own 2019 Year-In-Review too! xoxo

What. A. Year. Who would have thought that three simple words could so accurately sum up the last 365 days? Certainly not me, as you all know that I have a slight tendency toward the verbose, grandiose sentences — OK, some may even call me a bit extra at time. What can I say? A lot, apparently. But seriously, 2018 sure is one for the record books. It was a year of some hurt and heartbreak, some medical maladies and milestones and some love and loss. In a word: WHOA. With Christmas just four days away and the beginning of 2019 looming on the horizon, now is the perfect time to do some classic looking back and reflecting a la a Year-In-Review! Because, really, I of all people have the art of reflecting down to an obsessive science. Buckle up, friends! Here we go…

I mused about all things love and relationships, like the power in simply listening to someone, how to help someone who’s grieving, sibling love, losing a parent and life lessons from Ms. Bear!

Disability posts, including traveling with a disability, thoughts on being a disability advocate, disability emojis, mental health awareness, The Disability Film Challenge, person-first language and writing about my disability and continuing the conversation on suicide.

Fun fashion fanfare, such as Style Guides, zodiac tees, heart nails, Pride Month picks, Etsy favorites and an Ode to Flower Crown Photo Filters.

Some memorable Family Photos moments, like spring shopping, Ms. Bear’s NYC adventure, summer walks and lunches outside and my 37th birthday.

There were the usual pop culture posts, like Jurassic World, the new TV season, In Praise of Claire Underwood, Bohemian Rhapsody, Britney Spears’ 20th anniversary and my first Taylor Swift criticism.

…but in addition to that lightness and breeziness, there was a distinct heaviness that hung in the air all year. The social and political upheaval of the last couple years (at least!) weighed heavily on my heart, and that heaviness took the form of posts on How to Help Stop Family Separation, The Importance of Press Freedom, The State of Women’s Equality, Men and the #MeToo Era and the Midterm Elections.

For all the frustrations of 2018, there were a couple bright spots. Maybe that’s why, in light of everything, I’m clinging to these happy moments more than ever. What happy moments, you ask? Ooooh, you know, just that time I BECAME A CARTOON (twice!) — seriously, I’m still not over the sheer thrill of that! I highly recommend it, if you ever get the chance. Seeing yourself in cartoon form is truly life-changing. My life is still not the same after that one!

And, the other?? That special day MY BLOG TURNED 10. Where has the time gone? I’ve been asking myself that question looooong before my blog anniversary last month. Time just goes by way too fast.

Outside of blogging, my freelance career was on the up and up as well in 2018. I’m not sure what it is, but something just seemed to click this year. I got into a rhythm and the ideas just kept flowing. There are still a few new pieces I haven’t shared yet (look for those in the new year), and I’m incredibly proud of the work I did in 2018. I broke into new publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Fix. I also came into my own writing op-eds and published 12 op-eds in 12 months on CNN Opinion, which is becoming my favorite place to write for!

And finally, on a sad note, we said goodbye to sweet Harry in April. We still talk about him every day, and it’s comforting to remember cute stories about him and smile when we think of his little kitty quirks. As my mom always says, “He was such a good boy!” Indeed, he was.

We also welcomed Whitney into our home, and she’s added some liveliness and whimsy to our house and our lives. She’s spunky and curious and knows her own mind, and it’s adorable to see her carry her favorite toy around the house! And in case you’re wondering, she and Stella are still working on their bond.

Whew, like I said, what a year this has been! Accordingly, too, this year-in-review has been one of the most epic blog post I’ve ever written! I want to thank you all for reading and sticking with me all these years. I’m so glad we’re connected and you’ve helped to make this blog journey unforgettable. I wouldn’t change a thing! Something tells me, in the grand scheme of things, this is only the beginning. And you know what? That makes me incredibly EXCITED, EXCITED, EXCITED. Did I mention how utterly excited I am??

It’s just past 6pm here in the Midwest, and as soon as I hit publish on this year-in-review post, I will officially be on vacation! I’m looking forward to spending the holiday with my mom and Janelle; I know it sounds corny, but home really is where the heart is. As long as I’m with them, I’ll be happy and content. I hope you’re able to find happiness and contentment this holiday season, whatever form that takes for you. Be gentle and loving to yourself. Be lazy if you want. Be yourself. And be ready to take on 2019 with vim and vigor. We got this!!!

Here’s to the festive spirit of the season! I’ll be back to regular posting on Tuesday, January 8th, and I’m excited to share lots of exciting things, especially some blog posts I’ve had on my To Blog About list for months and months! Also, feel free to send me your thoughts and ideas any time — just email me at mellow1422@aol.com!!! I always love hearing from you!! And I hope you enjoyed this year-in-review!

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin!

I love you, friends!! xoxo

P.S. What would you include in your year-in-review? I’d love to hear all about it too!