A New Year Catch-Up

Life updates, reflections, and what’s next

Happy New Year! I’m writing this on my way back from a relaxing week in Cabo with my family. Now that both of my sisters are in college, it’s rare that we’re all able to get away together, so when we do, it always feels special.

With the craziness of the holidays behind us, this felt like a good time to start the year with a little catch-up. One of my goals this year is to connect more with this community. I share a lot of outfits, things I’m loving, and corners of my apartment, but I don’t often go much beyond that. I’m a pretty private person in real life, so opening up to strangers on the internet can feel intimidating at times (this is the year I start posting Instagram reels and talking to the camera more… lol).

I’ve always felt that posting on social media can feel like standing on a stage with a spotlight on you while the audience is in the dark. You never really know who’s watching, which can be intimidating. But even though this community is small, it feels incredibly supportive, and I’m so grateful for everyone who takes the time to watch my TikTok, interact with my Instagram posts, or read my Substack.

Consistency over the past year has shown me that it does get easier. If you’ve been thinking about posting this year, I really encourage you to just start. Take the jump. It only gets easier with time.

How I’m feeling:

Over the past few months, I’ve felt a little lost. I turned 25 in November, and the mid-20s crisis has been very real. Questioning decisions I’ve made since post-grad, feeling like I’m running out of time, wondering if I could or should be doing more, and whether my younger self would be proud of where I am today. I try to counter those thoughts by practicing presence and enjoying the season I’m in, but that’s often easier said than done. I’m very nostalgic, which doesn’t always help. I know many of you can probably relate.

For those who don’t know, my 9–5 is in marketing, and content creation has become my creative outlet outside of work. I live in downtown Chicago, but my office is in the suburbs, which means a long commute every single day. Lately, I’ve been feeling burnt out and increasingly called to slow down.

After a lot of thought, I decided to move home for the next few months while I’m in between leases, and start looking for a new apartment in the spring.

This wasn’t an easy decision. I lived at home for about a year after graduating college, moved into my first Chicago apartment in spring 2024, and have lived there since (a little under two years.)

At first, moving home felt like stepping backward. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be making this choice, I would have said you were crazy. But one thing about me is that I will always follow my intuition, and this is where it has led me. In a recent conversation with a friend, I mentioned how effortlessly the moving process came together, and that’s how I know it was meant to be. When something is not meant for you, the universe meets you with resistance. When it is guided by intuition and meant to be, it flows seamlessly into your life.

I know this will be good for me. It gives me the chance to slow down, shorten my commute, focus more intentionally on content creation, spend quality time with my parents, and thoughtfully plan what’s next.

My first apartment will always mean so much to me. It was the first space that was truly mine. Although living in a studio apartment felt claustrophobic at times, living alone taught me a lot about myself and gave me the space to grow. It’s where I really dove into content creation, formed meaningful friendships, and experienced a lot of personal growth.

My favorite little bedside corner

I’ll always love this wood side table and couch. Can’t wait to bring them into my next space

& my cozy coffee corner

Many outfits captured in this mirror

So, What’s Next?

I’m settling in at home with a few special pieces from my apartment, and looking forward to making my room feel like my own over the next few months.

I’m excited for what’s ahead this year, and to bring you along as I search for a new apartment this spring and begin creating a new space. I already have so many ideas of what I want my next space to be, and I’m looking forward to sharing that process with you.

Starting the year with a fresh slate feels grounding, and I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store. When I’m not scrolling through Zillow to find my dream apartment, I’ll be sharing a bit more day-to-day over on TikTok and Instagram, so you can find me there if you don’t follow along already.

Thank you always for being here and for your support! It means the world.

xx
Kelly