Looking Back on the Past Decade

I thought about doing a 2019 recap post similar to last year’s recap, but it wouldn’t be fair to ignore everything that’s happened in my life that’s made me who I am over the past decade. Here’s a look back on each year, and what I’ve learned from the good, the bad and the ugly. It was the best 10 years of my life thus far, but also the hardest. I grew so much as a person, had a ton of fun, travelled the world, met so many new friends, learned that everyone’s path is different, and finally put myself first. Here’s the decade in a nutshell:

2010

+ Winter Olympics, Heineken House too many times to count, served, studied, partied, went to San Fran, Oregon, Pender Harbour and Whistler, met new friends, started a new relationship, learned how to compromise

2011

+ Partied every weekend, travelled to Costa Rica for a wedding, went to the Stanley Cup playoffs, worked as a Marketing Assistant downtown while serving and studying at the same time

2012

+ Moved out of my parents house into an apartment downtown, got an internship at Tara Parker Tait PR, threw an event for the Man Repeller herself, Leandra Medine, learned more than I could have ever imagined working with big brands like Joe Fresh, Gap and Old Navy, completed my degree, started an online business, and donated $500 from our business to the BC Cancer Foundation

2013

+ Officially graduated with a BBA in Marketing Management, got hired full time at TPT while continuing to serve on weekends, attended 7 weddings, travelled to Cabo, San Francisco and Vegas, got let go from my job when my boss shut the company down, started working with a friend and mentor, Tamara Taggart

2014

+ Freelanced, worked multiple jobs, had the pleasure of working for Jillian Harris, left to work another corporate job, got let go again, attended 7 more weddings (14 in 2 years, to be exact), travelled to Kauai, Chicago and Green Bay, started to get my first taste of the travel bug, and eventually found myself back in PR at Reformation

2015

+ Bought my first condo, managed and planned events for so many clients including Hudson’s Bay, Smash + Tess, Joyride, BC/Calgary Home + Garden Show, Vancouver/Calgary Home + Design Show, started my obsession with YouTube, travelled to Cabo for a wedding, got engaged, and genuinely thought I was on the right “path” to happiness

2016

+ Left my PR job for my current job, adopted my pup Dash, planned a wedding that never happened, got blindsided with a breakup, rediscovered who I was, learned how to live alone, religiously went to Zumba 3-4 times a week, attended a bestie’s bachelorette and wedding, visited the fam in San Francisco, picked up the pieces and jumped into the scary world of online dating

2017

+ Staged and sold the condo, moved back into my parent’s place, completely transformed their games room into my very own studio apartment (oh hey, it’s your interior design passion calling), jumped religiously back into hot yoga, celebrated with a soul-searching trip to Bali, went on girls trips to San Francisco and Whistler, bought my very own condo, travelled to Hawaii, and lost my Lola at the end of the year, making the holidays an extremely emotional time for my family

2018

+ Started the year celebrating my Farfar’s 80th bithday, but lost him suddenly 3 days later. It hit us like a ton of bricks - the loss stung more than any other loss I’ve felt before, and a few months later, we lost my Great Aunt too. I decided to start this blog as a new outlet, focused on gratitude and mental health, travelled solo to New York and Toronto, travelled to Mexico, Italy, Paris, and Sweden, then surprised my mom with an epic 60th birthday party

2019

+ Started my first day of school, spent my reading break back in New York, planned my bestie’s desert bachelorette in Scottsdale, bumped up the frequency of sponsored content and brand collabs including my kitchen updates with Wayfair and my patio refresh with H&M Home, found multiple streams of income to put myself through school, focused on making my friendships a priority, went on road trips to Portland, Seattle, and the Okanagan, stood at the altar for my best friend’s wedding, got a promotion, drained myself by completing 3 full semesters of school while working full time, and completed a few side projects

Despite the jobs lost, family members who passed, and the curve balls thrown my way, I’m so grateful for the last 10 years. I’m as happy as ever, and I’m so blessed to be able to live this little life of mine with so much love and support around me. 20teens, thank you for everything. 2020, let’s get it!

xo

Linnea