My Favorite Posts of 2023

A Look Back at 2023

It was about this time last year, at the start of 2023, that the seed idea of this blog started to grow. I had long been a consumer of blogs and always thought I'd love to have my own. I often thought about what I would write about, and who my audience might be. But I would always brush this off as a pipe dream - because I did not know one single thing about how to start a blog nor did I think that I had the expertise or the time as a busy mom with a full time job.

However something changed last January. I felt a little stuck and rundown from the day-to-day of parenthood, and working, and all the things in our daily routine. I felt this tug to do something new, something I was passionate about. It took me a bit to figure out what that was, but over the course of a month or two the idea of starting a blog really started to grow. I had read some articles from other bloggers I admired, with some tips for getting started. I started to think that maybe I could do this.

Then one night my husband and I were out to dinner (a very rare occurrence) and I casually mentioned possibly doing this. Ever the supportive husband, he said, 'You should absolutely start a blog.' That sealed it and I spent the next two months reading articles and watching countless YouTube videos and figuring it all out. My confidence in my ability to do this was still very low - but what could it hurt to just try?

Just giving it a go has been one of the most fulfilling learning experiences I have ever had. I am not tech-savvy, and so the learning curve was steep. I had no one to ask questions to when I came to numerous roadblocks. I was unsure I wanted to even share this with other people because I was afraid they'd think, 'Why does she thinks she's an expert?' But I kept pushing through and the day I actually launched this website was a really, really proud day. There have been many bumps in the road along the way, and I still have so much to learn, but I am truly so glad to have created The Lifestyle Notes.

My Favorite Posts of 2023

I am writing this during the week between Christmas and New Years. My blog has been live for about 8 months. I am using this week to do some updating, some reflecting on what I have published, and set some goals for myself for 2024. It's been fun to look back at what I've written, so I thought I'd share my favorite posts here. I'd love for you to check out something that might interest you.

I have published 72 posts in the last eight months, and I am really proud of that. I have written about topics ranging from meal prep, to healthy living tips, to self-care, to family bucket lists to my favorite beauty products.

Check out some of my favorite posts from 2023 below.

Wellness

How I Meal Prep for a Week of Healthy Eating. This post was one of my earliest, and my most popular to date. I've found meal prep to be a super important part of eating healthy and making my weeknights easier. I'll for sure be sharing more ideas in the new year.

Five Things to Start Doing Today for Your Health. Another early post, and one that I really whole-heartedly believe in. If you want to make some changes to your routines this year and really prioritize your health, check it out.

How To Read More. I love to read, but I don't always make the time for it. I wrote this post really to motivate myself! I hope that others who want to read more will find it helpful as well.

How To Stock a Healthy Pantry. This was a favorite of mine to write, because I love a stocked pantry. Perfect project for the new year.

A Beginner's Guide to Going Gluten Free. One of my most recent posts, I wrote this to share my top tips for beginning a gluten free diet. My daughter and I, along with my brother, all have celiac disease. It's not an easy transition to go gluten free. I hope this post helps others who may be starting that journey. More to come in 2024!

Motherhood & Family

The Best Tips for Picky Eaters. We all have them. Here are some tips that have worked for me.

Easy & Healthy School Snack Ideas for Kids. It can be hard to balance feeding our kids what they want and what they need. Use this post as some inspiration for upping your snack game in the new year.

Five of the Best Self-Care Tips for Moms. A good reminder as we reset after the holidays.

Beauty

Drugstore Skincare Products I Love. I love a good drugstore skincare find. These products are effective and reasonably priced. And many are 'clean' as well. If you need to restock your beauty cabinet, check this out.

The Best Winter Skincare Products. Winter can really take a toll on our skin. Check out these hero products for nourishing your skin this winter.

Thank you for checking out some of my favorite posts from 2023. Every read and comment, and every bit of engagement on Instagram (@thelifestylenotes) is so appreciated. I have lots of ideas in store for 2024, and I hope you'll follow along.

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!