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31 December 2016

Y'ALL.  2016 is almost officially over.  Wow.  Isn't this so crazy?. Every year flies by so fast, and at the end of each year it's just like WOAH STOP IT RIGHT THERE JUST STAHP.  For me, it really just puts things in perspective.. Every single second of life is so precious and it's kind of like a semi-harsh shakeup when you realize a whole freaking year is gone by.  WOW.
I hope that 2016 was a beautiful (albeit pretty crazy sometimes, not going to lie) year for you all, but I hope even more that 2017 is an even better, blessed-beyond-measure year for you all.  Last year, I had said that my words for 2016 was  "year of miracles"? As much as I don't know if I can say that actually happened, there were other miracles that happened...not in the way that I expected or wanted, but maybe, that's why it's so easy to miss miracles. 


I was thinking of what I could have as my "word" for 2017, and I don't know know if I'll stick to this , but right now, my word for the upcoming year is:

BELIEVE

To believe that God is still in control, regardless of how life leads.  To believe that all things will work out for good.  To believe that miracles can still happen.  To believe that whatever does happen, God is still good and that is enough for me xx 


OKAY. So what went on in 2016?



So in 2016 I really started looking at writing again.  I had written a novella a few years back, but after that I resorted to basically just writing short stories and articles.  But this year I really felt that urge again, to just WRITE.  Writing has always been and always will be one of my biggest passions, and I knew that I had to start getting words out again.  So...I did.  And it's been going pretty good so far.  I haven't finished my novel, but I'm hoping to sometime early in 2017.
Earlier this year I went to my first writer's conference in Virginia and it was really incredible.  I was honestly so nervous at first, but by the end of the conference I really didn't want it to end.  There was so much INSPIRATION to write, and it was so amazing to meet other writers.  Writing is so, so a thing, guys.  Another fabulous opportunity that came out of the writer's conference was that I met a lady who wanted to start a writer's critique group, and she wondered if I'd like to be a part of it.  I did, and it's been amazing so far.  It's super helpful to stay motivated to actually WRITE.
 So overall, I'd say 2016 was a really good writing year.  I started sending in some of my work to a few magazines and they accepted some of it, which was honestly mind-blowing for me.  I reignited my love for writing this year, and 2017 is going to be an even better writing year.  I can't wait. 


A multitude of things went on in 2016, quite honestly.  In 2016 I... 

§  Saw some of my best friends move three hours away :'(
§ Grew a lot closer to God
§  Went to a flower show for the first time
§  Got a new violin
§  Started Instagram and also quit Instagram (and Pinterest) ^_^
§  Cringed while America elected a new president 
§  Moved to a new house! 
§  Attempted NaNoWriMo
§  Got my first DSLR (IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING)
§  Played violin in church!! 
§  Was a part of Freckled Minds (the best zine ever)
§  The waffles vs pancakes war happened. 


Blogging in 2016 was...interesting.  It didn't go too bad, but I don't know if I'd say it was absolutely marvelous either. More like -- somewhere in the middle. I didn't really start out the year with much of a schedule at all, and my posting was kind of sporadic and everywhere.  At the beginning of the year especially, I really wasn't into blogging that much. And in the summer, especially July, I only posted one post in the whole month.  YES YES I KNOW THAT IS LIKE THE BANE OF BLOGGING BUT.....

I actually don't feel that bad about it?? I think blogging should be something a person genuinely loves and I think if for one month I didn't feel it, then that's okay.

Overall though, I think that bit of blogger's block was actually helpful because after that I got a...BOUT OF INSPIRATION and scheduled posts till November.  Not gonna lie, THAT WAS HELPFUL.

So that's how blogging went for the most part this year. The most viewed post in 2016 was inspired #09, and the second most viewed was Reversed Bucket List -- 15 Things I've Done .  AND the third most popular post was Summer Days | Life Lately .  (That was the one post I did in July.  SO APPARENTLY IT COUNTED FOR SOMETHING XD.)


§  I’ve been thinking about doing monthly recaps/goals?!? This was just an idea I had, but I thought that it would be really fun to do…and even helpful for me.  Just to see what all I do every month.  BUT this is just an idea I had so…what do you guys think?

§ And ONE MORE THING (I promise this is the last one).  I know every blogger says this, but I want to make 2017 the best year yet on this blog.  I want to know what you guys want to see...and especially what you actually like. SO. What do we do? Something I've never done before.

A SURVEY. 

AAAH HOW EXCITING.  I'm not sure why I never did one before, but nonetheless, HERE I AM.  I'd be so, so, so, so grateful if you would fill this survey out. (I'LL GIVE YOU WAFFLES AND CAKE.)  Plus it's only 9 questions so I promise it won't take up too much of your time either =)
And you guys can be as honest as you want, since this survey can be completely anonymous (unless you wish to leave me your name in which case BY ALL MEANS DO SO.) But you can say WHATEVER YOU WISH in this survey.  So....thanks.


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THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART ♥ I hope 2016 was a great year for you, and here's to an even better 2017.  

+++

SO LET'S TALK! HOW WAS THIS YEAR FOR YOU ALL?? Did it go as you expected? How did 2016 treat you? IT'S CRAZY HOW DIFFERENT THINGS ARE FROM WHERE THEY WERE IN JANUARY.  I wonder how things will be next December? OK TOO FAR IN THE FUTURE LET'S FOCUS ON THE HERE AND NOW.  Do you all  set New Years Resolutions? (lol I definitely DO NOT.) What were some of the best things that happened to you this year? 

adiós and I'll see you next year

-autumn raelin 

34 comments:

  1. OH GOODNESS. XD I almost forgot that I was going to do a word of the year for 2017- thanks for reminding me though hehe. Now I just have to pick a word... hmm... XD

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    1. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO THAT STAT. I know -- I was afraid I was going to miss something too so I tried to cram it all into one big post. WHAT FUN.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous12/31/2016

    This is awesome! Happy New Year! Have a great 2017:)

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    1. AWW thank you so much, Clara! I hope you have a wonderful year ahead :)

      Delete
  3. HAPPY NEW YEAR, AUTUMN!!! Hope 2017 is a great one for you!! <3

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    1. THANK YOU ABBY!! You are so sweet. *hands you cake*
      Hope your new year is a blessed one <3

      Delete
  4. EEK HOW IS 2016 OVER ALREADY. Anyway, awesome post and Happy New Year, Autumn! <33

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    1. YES RIGHT??? It was a really crazy year, and I'm glad it's over.
      Thanks for reading, Sarah!!

      Delete
  5. HAPPY NEW YEAR AUTUMN!! :) Looks like it was a pretty eventful year for you! I can relate on the blogging part especially. I barely posted for the first half of 2016, and I don't feel guilty. If I pretend time is money then, well, it was well-spent doing things other than blogging, too. Congratulations on all your achievements (like damn, dude, starting a magazine is pretty awesome), hope your blog continues to be great in 2017!

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    1. JO!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. It was a pretty full year, not going to lie :) But I'm still glad we have a new slate. YES I AGREE. Blogging is best when we enjoy it :) THANK YOU JO YOU AMAZING PERSON.

      Same to you!

      Delete
  6. OMG you have a word for 2017!!! Why am I freaking out? Because I'm doing one for the first time this year and my next week's post is going to be on it!

    My passion for writing really sparked this year too! And congrats on the magazine *high-fives*

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and following. I can't wait to read more of your posts :D

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    1. YES I DO OMG HOW AWESOME!!! I am so pumped for that post :) I only had a word or phrase for the year for the first time last year, so it's pretty cool.

      OHH YEAH *fist bump*

      YES OF COURSE!! Your blog is lovely. Thanks for stopping by =)

      Delete
  7. HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you have a wonderful new year. <333

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  8. EEEP I LOVE WRAP-UP POSTS AND SURVEYS FOR SOME REASON. They're fun to read and take. :P

    Can I just say that the way you set up this post is really, really gorgeous? I just... really love it and you did a great job and it looks like it might've taken you awhile. IT WAS WORTH IT. :P

    YEAAAH HAHA LET'S NOT THINK ABOUT NEXT DECEMBER LET'S NOT FREAK OUT HERE. Next December I'll be three months away from being an adult. Help. Nooooo. :P

    I've kinda set some resolutions? I usually set loose goals for myself that I usually follow for a month and then forget about. But this year (er, next year) I really want to spend some more time with God and His word, so I'm really excited about that. It should be good. *nod* ^.^

    I was going to say something else but I've forgotten. Typical. Anywho, I hope your 2017 is awesome! We're one year closer to hopefully meeting each other someday. xD ;)

    katie grace
    a writer's faith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THEY ARE AREN'T THEY? I've been thinking about doing monthly wrap-ups, so I'm not sure how that would go?!
      OMG KATIE GRACE *hugs you* YOU SWEET PERSON. Thank you so so much <3 It did take a while and I was like kinda stressing out over it. YOU JUST MADE IT WORTH IT.

      HAHAHAHAHA RIGHT. Ooooh those sound really good! YOU GOT THIS. I don't really set goals either...I think my only resolutions for this year are to get to bed earlier and eat less sugar. XD

      ONE DAY IT SHALL HAPPEN. I seriously can't wait until that day :)

      Delete
  9. Happy New Year, Autumn! May the next year (though filled with uncertainity) bring sparkles and the joy in the world.

    xoxo Morning

    P.S. You mentioned Freckled Minds *flails*
    P.P.S. The Yearbook is up on the blog *flails again*

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    1. THANK YOU, MORNING <3 I hope 2017 is a blessed year for you.

      YES I DID IT IS LOVELY. EEEEEP <3

      Delete
  10. Happy New Year!!!!

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    1. Happy 2017, Jollygirl! Thank you for reading my blog and commenting <3

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  11. happy new year, autumn!! I did the survey xD

    but yas - more photography from that epic dslr PLZZZ. xD

    sarah » the introverted extrovert

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    1. EEP YES THANK YOU, SARAH!

      oooh well dude you do the same. XD

      Delete
  12. Violin buddies! This post was such a great end of the tear wrap-up! I always enjoy reading about everyone year and seeing how different or similar they were to mine! For the most part seems like you had a great year!

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    1. YOU PLAY VIOLIN?!?! How did I not know that?
      AWW THANKS <3 I did have a wonderful year, but I feel like for a lot of people it was crazy.

      Delete
  13. ATTA GIRL. so much love coming your way. also i am probably the most annoying survey taker ever yo. xxx

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    1. ADDY <3 your comments are the most beautiful of ever.
      ha. ha. no, not at all xD

      Delete
  14. I did the survey, but wrap up posts and what not...I did those. For your own sake and looking how much progress you have made monthly is a really good idea. If you're looking for content that will get lots of views...at least in my experience (which could be different for other people), the wrap up posts didn't get as many views as my other posts. Maybe I needed to work on my formatting...? I don't really know. But, you should definitely give them a try. I personally like reading them.

    Happy 2017 :)

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    1. THANK YOU, LAUREN!! Ooh, yes. I know you had done those. I really think it would be a great way for me to just keep track of my life, so I'd probably do it more for me anyways. YOUR BLOG IS GREAT <3 Thank you!

      Delete
  15. TOOK THE SURVEY.
    Also, love your blog and this post and life. XD

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  16. Believe is the perfect 2017 word.

    Gosh I love you, Autumn.

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  17. I love you 2017 word, I'm still contemplating mine.
    I can't wait to see what you post this year, I love reading your content so much <3

    ReplyDelete

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