A Year in Review: 2018

December 31, 2018

A Year in Review: 2018 I Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy

2018 is coming to an end and in looking back I am realizing that life in 2018 felt a bit more fragile. It was a great year but there were several reminders that myself and my loved ones are getting older. It was hard. This post is always important for me to do as I think it really allows some necessary reflection as we close out the year in order to realize all that was accomplished and enjoyed and memorable in the past 365 days.

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A Year in Review: 2018

2018 felt like a year of highs and lows. Highs included lots of travel and lows included the word “cancer” one too many times in my circle. And also challenges brought about in my consulting businesses by fluctuating workload and the need to be nimble and consistently exercise patience.

This year on wit & whimsy I worked really hard to open up more.

I finally sat down to share my battle with thyroid disease. And I started 2018 sharing my struggle with the world of blogging and my insecurities related to it. I spoke to how my life has changed since being self employed. I also brought you guys into my new co-working space and wrote about how hard career ruts can be. And I got honest about my 2018 goals and opened up about what seven years in New York has looked like for me (the good, the bad & the ugly.) I shared a letter to my younger self. As a result of trying to be more open, transparent and vulnerable, I felt more connected with you guys, this wit & whimsy community, more than ever. I appreciated every single blog comment, Instagram DM, Instagram comment/like and every email.

I reaped the reward of all your feedback on this year’s reader survey.

Then I launched a collaborative recipe document that I loved seeing your additions in. I was incredibly fortunate to work with brands I love and use regularly such as dr. brandt (here, here), Olay (here, here, here), Quickbooks, J.McLaughlin and more.

I also launched my newsletter (an undertaking that required far more work than meets the eye!) and developed a category dedicated to all my Paris content. Then I launched my Kindness campaign and found it one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever accomplished through wit & whimsy. (I’m grateful to every one of you who participated!)  I wrote about mindfulnness and boredom related to creativity. And adult friendships and change needed for this site. I rounded up my favorite posts related to NYC. I spoke about why I think being less busy is kind of the best and discussed “the keys to a successful life“.

For my consulting business I was pleased to sign my first international client (this was a goal I had when setting out 2.5 years ago). And then I signed another! I was honored to work with the Maybelline PR team on a project and I re-signed my longest running client for 2019. I grew my team for my two businesses and every day am grateful for the three amazing women who help me do my best. (Thank you eternally Kate, Deirdre & Jen!!) I had learnings of what it feels like to lose a client unexpectedly due to circumstances out of my control and how hard you have to work constantly as your own boss.

In my personal life I had much to be grateful for this year.

I traveled to Portugal (see here, here, here, here and here), Copenhagen, Stockholm, Nantucket (here, here), Portland, London (here, here and updated London guide here), Charleston, The Catskills (here, hereParis and made three trips to San Francisco. I completed BBG and felt so pleased with my commitment to the program and the results I saw. Then I moved into a new apartment that I love and feel at home in. And also hosted many friends and visitors whose company I was grateful for (and celebrated a year living in Brooklyn!) I had a blast taking French lessons. Also I stopped coloring my hair. I voted in the primary and midterm elections and joined the Met as a member. And I watched my brother get married and gained a wonderful sister in law.

As I close out 2018 I’m left feeling grateful and very aware of my blessings.

I feel a bit anxious yet still hopeful about 2019. And I’m incredibly happy to have spent the last few weeks in my beloved Colorado with nearly all my family. With the exception of a trip to CA in March, I have no travel plans for 2019. So much of the year feels like a blank slate which is exciting.

In the new year I will be sharing my goals and hopes for 2019 so keep an eye out for that. I hope you have a wonderful end to your 2018 and am wishing you all a very, very happy new year! (Also posted a quick yearly review over on InstaStories if you want to check it out, too!)

p.s. these were 2018’s most popular posts and these were the most popular items I blogged about this year. Also you can see my 2017 year in review here and 2016 year in review here.

[Carter Fish Photography]

comments +

  1. kelly powers says:

    Meghan, I love following you – your style & your energy are amazing but most of all your kindness and authenticity shine through and keep me double clicking and reading your blog. Congratulations on another great year and cheers to a spectacular 2019! Thanks for creating amazing and *real* content for your followers. xxoo, kelly

  2. Melanie says:

    As a newer reader, I love this recap! You have much to be proud of in 2018. Wishing you the best for the coming year! Can’t wait to see where it takes you ??

  3. Libby says:

    This was so so so fun to scroll through!!! I cannot see where 2019 takes you, Meghan!! Happy New Year!

    https://premedwearspearls.blogspot.com

    xoxo Libby

  4. I am so, so grateful that you came into my life IRL in 2018 and to have shared those wonderful memories together. Feeling you on the 2019 anxiety,, but also really optimistic and excited about that giant, blank slate. Can’t wait to see you again whenever and wherever in the world that is!

    Sending much love from Cambridge!

    Briony xox

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