January 2, 2012

hard battles.

via
those of you who have followed tulip louise since the beginning have no doubt taken notice that i rarely share personal facts about myself on the blog anymore. . . i could say that it's because i "just want to focus on the fashion" or that i "don't want to bore anyone with my life stories," but that wouldn't be the whole truth.  sugar coating aside, 2011 has been a really shitty {pardon moi} year for me personally.  typing those words makes me feel exposed, sad, and free all at the same time.  there's something so beautiful and sometimes painful about the reflection of the past 365 days, but the hope that comes with a new year keeps us going.  as cliché as it may seem, the love + support that i've felt from all of your comments has truly sustained me at moments.  so thank you for making me feel safe, as i fight with the idea of just erasing this entire blog post!  :)  now, for those of you fighting hard battles {big or small}. . . keep going. . . don't erase what you want to say {or do}.  i am hopeful for 2012 and hope you will be too! 
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LOVE  this >> "It's difficult to be around people who are trying to be perfect- perfectly healthy, perfectly polite, perfectly poised, perfectly controlled. Remember that being human means being imperfect, being flawed. Let yourself be. Let others be... Stand up and reveal who you are and know that you are good enough. Stop worrying that people will find out who you really are. Instead, hope that they do. Help them by openly sharing yourself and being not who you think you should be, but who you really are. 

Freedom is just a small step away- a step into self-love and acceptance. When you take it, others will follow. And they'll be grateful you led the way." -Melody Beattie


yours truly-

34 comments:

  1. so proud of you anna!! i support you in all that you do...you are truly following your dreams! :)

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  2. I love this post. It is only in sharing ourselves and our struggles that we realize we're all in this together and no one is alone. Sorry to get all cheesy! But, it's true! I used to not want anyone to (really) know me, because it's scary, but then you realize everything opens up when you become an authentic version of yourself and share yourself! I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. I love your blog every single day. You contribute to my life every day!

    Also, How great is Melody Beattie? If you don't have a copy of Journey to the Heart, I'm getting you one!!! :)

    LOVE YOU!
    ;)

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  3. Oh Anna, it hurt my heart to read this. You would never know that you had a rough year by looking at your beautiful, sunny blog. You truly are an inspiration and, frankly, very brave. I think great things are in store for you in 2012!

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  4. May 2012 be filled with happiness and many opportunities to show the world who you are. Cheers!

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  5. wishing you a healthy and happy 2012!

    i've spent the past few years in a similar position...keep going! you can do it! you're blog is a constant inspiration to me!!!

    xoxo alex.

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  6. I hope 2012 is super fantastic for you! Love the quote. :)

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  7. Sending you blessings of great 2012♥

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  8. I can totally relate to this and I also believe that this will be your year. Things will turn around for sure! Keep your chin up and focus on making yourself happy. Looking forward to seeing what you do in 2012! xo

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  9. thank you for sharing...your blog is quite the beautiful inspiration and this post makes it even more so. life is a complicated thing and seeking the beauty in it is no small feat:) cheers to 2012!

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  10. you are the epitome of grace and class, anna. cheers to a better 2012 and all the exciting adventures to come! leave 2011 in 2011. make things happen for yourself this year. you are a strong, talented, independent woman. do it! :)

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  11. Tomorrow, tomorrow - you're only a day away!!!

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  12. Your blog is full of such wonderful inspiration and serves as such a bright spot for so many of your readers. Here's to a brighter 2012 for you!

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  13. I've been following your blog for a month or so and really enjoy it, I never leave a comment, but I should, because what I've learned this past year is that this "life" we have on the internet is very supporting and living in a completely isolated island for almost year has been much better thanks to all the lovely connections I have made by blogging. So, this year I'll make sure I'm reciprocating and sharing all the love and support I've been receiving!
    Hope this year turns out to be so good that you won't remember too much the shitty stuff of 2011 ;)

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  14. you are such a beautiful person anna... inside and out. i'm so glad that i've gotten to know you over the past year. i really believe that we get dragged through some of the worst things in order to come to the most rewarding. God bless you and I have no doubt that this is your year. muah.

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  15. You've made a fabulous lemonade out of those lemons 2011 dealt you and I hope 2012 brings you lots of peace and happiness! Grace, poise, and classy are just a few adjectives that come to mind when I think of you!

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  16. You are FABULOUS, Anna! The sky is the limit for you.

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  17. I am so sorry for your hard year, Anna. I do know that I sometimes look back at some of the harder times in my life and realize those were the times that really shaped who I have become. I hope for a better 2012 for you! REALLY love following your blog, btw! :)

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  18. Hey Anna--I think you're AMAZING. Love you friend! Cheers to an awesome 2012!!!!!

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  19. be true to yourself and that is what matters most.

    beautiful post full of intention. wishing you a wonderful 2012.

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  20. Wishing you the very best, and I hope your 2012 is a better year than last.

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  21. I am sorry you had such a trialing last year. Praying that you have a better year, and find relief in God's comfort.
    xoxo

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  22. Wishing you the best in 2012! I hope it's an amazing year for you!!

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  23. Becca@rebeccaharrisondesigns.comJanuary 3, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    It's so true, sweet Anna, no one is perfect, no one has the perfect life, perfect job, perfect family..... We can only do the best we can for ourselves and those we love. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to live to be the best you you can be and don't focus on what others might think..... That's the only way you can truly blossom! You are a gift sweet lady! Don't forget it!

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  24. hi anna-- i have never commented, but i had to when i read this post. had i started my blog in 2010, this is exactly how i would have summed up that year for myself. but 2011 was a complete turn around for me, and i have to thank you (and your blog) for being a role model and inspiration to me as i started my blog and styling business this year. i love reading tulip louise, and i so admire your style and your heart. wishing you the 2012 you deserve!

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  25. One of the best posts I've read in a long time and something I need to read! Thank you for not erasing this. xo

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  26. I love your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable. I absolutely love your blog and actually do enjoy hearing personal thoughts. It gives you character! Keep doing what you're doing, because it is wonderful! xo

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  27. Hi Anna! Just wanted to tell you I think you are precious and a very talented young woman. Chin up always my dear! =) p.s. i gotta copy and share your quote for my blog! xoxo Meagan

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  28. This is such a lovely post to read, even if it was hard for you to write. I think that you should keep up the occasional personal posts - I love feeling like I can relate to the put-together fashionista :) From following your blog these past few months, I never would have known from all the smiles and great fashion. Best of luck in 2012!

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  29. So sorry you had a tough year! I've definitely been there. Wishing you lots of happiness in 2012! I adore your blog and you have been such an inspiration for me :)

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  30. this is one of the most beautiful blog entries i've read in a long, long time. the fact that you still found so much beauty to share on your blog during a hard year is inspirational! i hope 2012 brings you joy and happiness! cheers. xox.

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  31. sometimes i do ask myself looking at all these beautiful blogs, clothing and all the smiles, what's underneath and if these people are really as happy as they look in the photos. everybody has a story, everybody struggles with something and sometimes it's nice to read those things and somehow feel like you can relate to each other. thank you for being so open and i'm wishing you a very happy 2012!

    the quote at the end is beautiful!

    warm wishes! leyla.

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  32. this is so beautifully stated. i love the quote - there is no truer word. we didn't get to meet at Alt, but i'm happy to have found your blog! wishing you a much better new year! ox

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