I feel like I am clawing my way out of the black hole that is the week between Christmas and New Years (just an FYI, at this point you can only see my fingertips). There is just something that is so great about not having to do anything but hang out and enjoy the fam.
2014 was in a word, amazing. There were so many cool opportunities that came and I felt myself saying “someone pinch me” more than I ever thought possible. I love looking back at the goals that I set last year and seeing how I did, and where I went off track.
My 2014 goals:
1. Increase blog traffic
2. Start a newsletter
3. More tutorials (vs. talking posts)
4. Feel more connected with you guys
Probably the biggest goal that I had for the blog was to increase overall traffic. I went from posting 2-3x a week to posting 4-5x and added a lot more tutorials to the mix. I am happy to report that my traffic went up significantly, but its kind of one of those give and take situations. I put in more hours this year that I ever thought possible. So while the blog grew, looking back I dont know if hitting the goal really made me happier. I LOVE a challenge. Setting my sights on a target and putting on my blinders is where I really excel, but the problem with that is that I dont really stop to absorb the significance and enjoy the moment when I hit the mark, I am just off to the next one. I feel like that is how this year was as a whole. SO many great moments that I wish I would have enjoyed more.
The newsletter has been awesome (if you dont subscribe you totally should!) It ties in heavily with goal #4 of feeling more connected and getting to feature you guys. Jamie (my assistant that runs the newsletter among other things) has become such an important part of Vintage Revivals, I would shrivel up and die without her.
More projects! I have LOVED this goal. Definitely staying on this path for the coming year.
Feeling more connected. If I had to give myself a grade, it would be a C. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing what you guys are up to. I love checking out the #myvintagerevivals and #colddeadfingers hashtags, but I think taking out the “talking posts” on VR have made me less connected. The bigger the blog gets, the scarier it is to put yourself out there. It was hard for me to see the harsh reaction to YHL, and I think it made me a little less fearless (not in projects, in sharing) but I know that most of you loved seeing that the struggle is real when everything on The Nugget had to be redone….multiple times.
Which brings me to blog goals for 2015.
Goal #1: Get outside of my head. The most important thing for the blog this year is to share without reservation. It is what I naturally want to do, and I know that its what most of you want too, so I am going to stop stressing about it and just do the dang thing. There is some pretty huge responsibility that comes with having millions of people read what you write, I feel like I am up for the challenge again.
I think that when you love what you do (love like you would do it for free) it is really easy to work all the time. The plan this year is to work smarter. My best Christmas present this year was when Jamie told me that she was moving to St. George!!!!! Up to this point our work has been all phone calls, facetime, and email (she lives in Idaho). To actually have her here working with me? Life changing. And that isnt even the best part. Her amazingly talented sister Janae is moving here with her. This means better (and more!) tutorials, video content, and a lot more behind the scenes secrets.
Goal #2: Stop wearing Court’s sweats. This is really a thing, and while it doesnt seem like a blog thing it totally is. I have these old sweats of Court’s that are HUGE. They are the most comfortable thing I (we?) own and a staple in my life. You know how goldfish grow to the size of their bowl? Yes. Apparently I am a goldfish and growing into these giant sweats. SO. No more. Hopefully the situation can be reversed.
Goal #3: Try something huge. Working on The Nugget last year was a huge step outside of my comfort zone. I loved it. This year I want to do something that challenges me like that again. Something absolutely terrifying.
Goal #4: Post ALL.OF.THE.THINGS. Finishing something that you start. Its hard for most of us right? For lots of people its actually finishing the project, for me it is posting all of the tutorials for the project. So. This year I am going to work so hard on getting ALL of the content on the blog (and posting the tutorials that I missed last year).
Goal #5: Get this freaking site in working order. Jamie and I are in the throws of a site redesign as we speak to make everything better and more functional (mobile friendly anyone!?) plans are to have that wrapped by the end of January.
I love you guys. Thank you for enriching my life so much, seriously.
What are you working on this year?
hey mandi. i stumbled upon your blog somewhere in the cloudiness of november and december. what can i say, the end of 2014 sucked. your blog made it SO. MUCH. BETTER. i loved reading about your story, about your achievements and alll the DIYs. thanks and please keep them coming. a better year to us all!
Thanks so much for sharing. My goals look very similar to yours! I have always been inspired by your tutorials and am looking forward to the year ahead!
MANDI!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re so freakin’ awesome and your blog just gets betta n’ betta! PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE with lots of Swig frosting on top, PLEASE show us how you did that amaze-balls lighting in the nugget! The one above the table. I’m itching to make one and REALLY need your help!!! LOTS OF LOVE AND THANKS!!
YESSS I VOTE ON THIS ALSO!!! I bought all my supplies and have the light part made, I am just waiting on how to figure out the himmeli part cuz my brain is not that smart!!!!!!!!! CAN’T WAIT!!
YES Goal #1- get out of your head. Forget the people who were crabby about YHL and be yourself, unapologetically. If they’re crabby about a stranger on the internet, they’re just crappy.
what is YHL?? lol i’m lost..hah
YHL….Young House Love….an amazing blog (though not as amazing as VR) that recently took a break (possibly a forever break) to work on their second book and other creative endeavors. I’m not sure what they’re referring regarding people’s reaction to YHL, though. It wasn’t a blog I read daily….more like every couple of weeks I’d check in on….so I’m out of the loop on that end.
the sweats thing is really important. about 15 years ago i noticed i was wearing my exercise clothes all say. not cool. recently i’ve discovered old navy range of jeans, which are inexpensive enough to wear to get dirty in, and sharp enough to look cool. in other words, you can do dirty work in jeans that are new-looking and fit you well.
I love your new goals and your honesty in sharing! Thanks for keeping it real and for having such rad ideas…and for being honest when it doesn’t work out. It’s all very appreciated, and keeps me coming back for more. Your blog used to be the second I would check out every time (which, out of the like 75 I follow, was high praise) but not that YHL is not posting you’ve scooted up to number one. I miss them, but am so enjoy what your site has to offer.
Your post had such realness to it, thanks for sharing. Blessings to you, Jamie, and your new goals!
Just found you. Love everything! And the Nugget! Wow!
Your blog gets better every year. I know that 2015 is not going to disappoint. Can’t wait for what is to come. I volunteer my house for a makeover if your looking for a challenge haha. You blogging in real time doing the Nugget was my favorite! You are my favorite blog, please never go YHL on us!
I love your tutorials the most because my mind sparks ideas off other people and their great minds. Thank you for the inspirations for the last few years! Happy 2015 to you and yours, my goal for the year is to start a minimalist lifestyle and PURGE! Along with other projects, I’d like to start a little side business selling my diy’s-gone-awesome. Cheers!
I have been following this blog since you started! It has been such an inspiration to me. So, finally, after months and months of talking about it, I starting blogging! I look forward to reading what you have for us in 2015!
I jokingly wanted to offer up my house as your next challenge, then glanced at the number of comments and knew it had already been done. If you’ll still be doing the annual room redo, I’ll certainly sign up. You’re at a point with this blog where you’ll likely do no wrong. You know what’s right, you’ve got a great support system and help. 2015 you’ll probably explode, in the good way.
I think you’re being too hard on yourself regarding your Feel More Connected goal and your self-graded “C” you think you’ve earned. I think you connect greatly with your followers….partly because your blog is so real and partly because the tone of your blog is so conversational and easy to read. It feels like we’re listening to our sister or friend tell us something they worked out and celebrating together when it all turns out beautifully in the end (and laugh about if/when that something didn’t go right). I’ve been following your blog for years and, even though I’ve never met you and likely never will, I am very very proud of your accomplishments and cheer you on with each task you undertake. Good job and keep up the awesomeness in 2015!
Love it! And honestly seeing that things don’t always turn out right the first time or like you had imagined gives me hope. I am more inclined to see my fugly end product and decide that maybe I’m just not cut out for this cool decorator/builder/crafty stuff. I totally admire your perseverance on The Nugget and really showing us how to step away and come back with something even more amazing!
Cheers to 2015! Just finding you….this year. (through Emily Henderson).
I would love to see what you could do with a Bathroom!!!! xo
Don’t forget to add “I’d like to be featured by FREAKING Emily Henderson!” Seriously…. I got a little too excited for you when I saw you on her list this morning! I have been following you since the beginning so maybe that is why we are practically “besties” in my mind 😉 It is so awesome because you & emily’s are my 2 favorite blogs! Anyway, just wanted to say you are amazing at life. I’m in Vegas so feel free to just stop by, give my house a makeover, and become my new best friend 😉
I’m looking forward for the tutorial for the lamp from the nugget;)
Increase blog traffic? Give Emily Henderson a high 5!!! Her recommendation is what brings me here today.
(first time) Happy New Year….
I have been banging my head against the wall while looking at my doorless closet for months now after refinishing our hardwood floors and tossing the existing, much hated, bifolds. Emily Henderson just sent me the solution via your blog!!! Can’t wait to dig in and try this.
I totally get the goldfish pants. I bought XL pajama bottoms when I was pregnant. I need to stop wearing them.