Wise Words to Inspire Your 2019

With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, lots of folks are thinking about how to make 2019—get this—the best year yet. I certainly don’t have the answers for you, but I do have some favorite quotes that might help guide you down a path of cheesy self-fulfillment and awesomeness. At least, I’m hoping that’s what they’ll do for me… Read on for 5 of my favorite quotes and how they can set the stage for a year of dreaming big and taking action.

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” -George Eliot

This quote can sometimes be deemed inauthentic or cliché, but the message really resonates with me. I think it’s a particularly useful sentence to remember in light of new year’s resolutions. Lots of us set lofty goals and high expectations for ourselves in January, but I know that oftentimes for me, the end of December leaves me feeling unaccomplished and disappointed in myself, having not stuck with all those resolutions (or more like, completely forgetting about them two months into the year).

Sure, we set resolutions for ourselves, and sure, we’ll probably break them; the important thing to remember is that failing is okay. Even if we break our resolutions—whether that be in the first week of the new year or the last—it doesn’t mean we should just give up or swear off the rest of the year. It’s never too late to pick up where you left off, to keep improving, to try and try again. It’s never too late to be what you might have been.

You can check out more of my thoughts on New Year’s resolutions in the following posts:

2018, Here I Come!

Fashionable Fitness Resolutions

One Month In—Checking In

“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.” -Mo Willems

I’ll admit, I know absolutely nothing about Mo Willems, but I saw this quote on Pinterest once and it pinned itself into my subconscious. I love to write, so naturally, I fancy the metaphor of our lives being like books or stories. I am a firm believer in free will over destiny, that each of us has the power to take charge of our lives and steer it in any direction we choose. So in 2019, if you ever stop and realize you’re not happy or not in a place you want to be, pick of your quill of consciousness, dip it into an inkwell of free will, and write yourself into a new chapter. You have the power.

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let 2019 be the year for YOU—a year where you don’t let others’ judgments or biases affect your decisions, a year where you never let those around you inhibit you from fulfilling your passions, a year where you unapologetically choose what’s right for yourself. Sheeple are boring; dirty your hooves and forge your own damn trail.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -Helen Keller

This is possibly my all-time favorite quote. I’m not a tattoo person, but if I were, this sentence might be it; I have it engraved on a silver cuff instead. For so long, I let fear dictate my life and control my every action. I’m still recovering, but this quote reminds me every day that if I’m not taking risks, being bold, and forcing myself outside of my comfort zone, then I am not really living at all.

“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”  -Coco Chanel

And finally, let’s make 2019 our best-dressed year to date! Of course, I will continue my twice-weekly outfit inspiration on the blog, and you can follow me on Instagram for even more (exclusive) content. Coco has it exactly right (duh)—wearing the right outfit and dressing for confidence will make YOU, not your outfit, a lasting impression.

This look makes the perfect comfy casual holiday outfit for Christmas shopping or relaxing with friends. Who says red and green together have to be tacky? My tip is to stick to forest and hunter greens, like my pants. The red Kate Spade purse was a very special birthday gift from my grandma, and I absolutely adore it. Did you see the little gold winky eyes?

You may have noticed my very bold lipstick! More on that coming in a post soon, but if you’re wanting to try a bold lip for the holidays (which you totally should!), you can read all about my tips in the following post:

How to Rock a Bold Lip

Are you prepared for 2019? In my mind, it’s still January of 2018! Crazy how fast time flies. Drop me a comment below with one of your favorite quotes, and enjoy your Thursday.

Miles of smiles,

Grace

Beige Cableknit Sweater: Nordstrom Rack, $18 // Hunter Green Pants: JCPenney, $28 // Beige Fringe Booties: Sam Edelman via DSW, $90 // Plaid Blanket Scarf: was a gift, Amazon // Black Sunglasses: Charming Charlie, $7 // Brown Cabi Belt: Cabi, $76 // Red Kate Spade Purse: gift