2021 Year in Review + Thank You

I’ve always recognized the importance of reflection. When I stop and think back to all that happened in 2021, I feel grateful. I’ve learned a lot, stepped out of my comfort zone, grown as a person, and matured very quickly. Of course, this year and my life is not perfect, however I think it is important to focus on the good and to live a positive life. Today, I wanted to share my 2021 highlights! Some wonderful things have happened in my life this year; some you may know about, and others you may not. Please keep in mind that while I am only sharing the good, that doesn’t mean that every day was perfect.

• Went hiking once a month for twelve months

If you have been following my blog since my first “Year in Review” from 2019, you would know that earlier that year, my uncle and I decided that we wanted to hike at least once a month for the entire year. Since then, we have succeeded in doing exactly that. This year, I was away from home for a while, so I was doing my hiking elsewhere (I’ll get to that soon…). Other than the time I was away, we went back to some of our favorite hiking spots in our area. Our hikes aren’t always incredibly intense, but we really enjoy getting some fresh air. I especially love our hikes in spring and fall because I think the weather is just perfect; not too hot and not too cold. A couple other family members have also joined us on a hike or two this year! I am looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2022!

• Celebrated my five year fitness anniversary

Fitness has looked very different to me this year. Since we are still living in a pandemic and things seem to be very up and down, I decided not to go back to the gym this year. I really do miss the environment and feeling of working out in a gym. I find it to be much more motivating, and I think I work my hardest when in the gym. Although I am fully vaccinated and had my booster for COVID, I felt it was best to continue working out at home. I have been doing weight training, yoga, and some HIIT. As the year has gone on, I’ve found it difficult to do certain workouts. While I was away from home, I really did not do any weightlifting. I am trying to find a way to continue doing the workouts I love while traveling, but it is challenging. Despite this, I have been working out more often now that I am home again, and I truly do love the way it makes me feel! When I complete a workout, I feel strong, confident, and empowered. So, in the New Year, I will continue weight lifting, doing my daily yoga, and throwing some HIIT in there as well! Yoga is pretty much a part of my daily routine, and I’ve recognized some incredible benefits. It helps that it can be done anywhere and everywhere, so there are no excuses! I am hoping that 2022 will be the year when I can finally get back in the gym and feel on track again.

• Graduated from Queens University of Charlotte

I really can’t believe how fast my four years of college went by! I remember first stepping onto campus for a tour, and also for my first day. It was a lot of hard work, and I remember feeling stressed and overwhelmed as each new semester started. It got easier every year. In many ways, I really enjoyed my time at Queens. I really grew as a person, and I was able to do things that I don’t believe I would’ve had the opportunity to do had I chosen a different school. I met some great people, learned so much about my chosen career path, grew as a writer, and I traveled abroad. Most of all, Queens has given me the confidence and preparation to step out into the real world. I graduated in May with honors, and this is an achievement I will always be proud of. Also, I am SO thankful to be done with school!

• Traveled out West

My family has had plans to travel somewhere very special since 2020, but of course, that trip had to be canceled. It was canceled yet again this year, however we were still able to do some traveling around the country! It felt so nice to go on a vacation again! In June, we traveled out west to a few places we had never been to before. I won’t go into detail since I wrote an entire blog post about the trip (linked here), but I will say that it was incredible! I really enjoyed seeing Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons! Yellowstone has always been on my bucket list, and I was so excited that I was finally able to go and experience this magical place in person. I had never seen anything quite like it! If you have the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it. You will enjoy every moment, and there is SO much to see and do there. Also, Grand Teton National Park is the most beautiful place I have ever seen! I am not sure if I had ever even heard of it before, but it is now one of my favorite places. Being there felt like I was surrounded by one giant painting. It was surreal. It is also right next to Yellowstone, so if you are going in that direction, you can’t miss it! This trip allowed my family and me to travel to a few different states such as South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. It is a goal of mine to travel to all 50 states, and I am almost there!

• Started my career working in marketing

I remember so many people saying that once you graduate from college, it can be really difficult to find a job in the field you want. I was fully prepared to work in retail or in a similar job before actually working in the field I studied four years for. Earlier in the year, I applied to a few jobs, but they were not for me. Then, I happened to get an email in June that I was invited to an interview. The timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. I felt really confident about it, and I got the job! It is a remote job for a marketing company, and I am surrounded by skincare! I really enjoy what I do. My job involves: moderating our social media, creating content (photos, reels, tiktoks, captions etc.), and communicating with some of our partner skincare brands. I was also just given a new title with more responsibilities. I am now a Marketing Communications Specialist! I am looking forward to seeing where my career takes me in the New Year.

• Celebrated one year with Tom

On July 22, Tom and I celebrated one year of our relationship! Sadly, we were apart at that time, so our celebrations occurred over a video call. We made the best of it though, and very soon after that, we were finally together in person. I couldn’t believe that a year had gone by, but we were and are so thrilled and excited for many, many more years together!

• Traveled to England to see Tom (twice)

For the past couple years, I’ve made it a goal for myself to get out of my comfort zone more often. When making this goal, I wasn’t sure what I would end up doing down the line, but looking back, I am proud of my courage. For a start, I traveled with my university to France, which was a dream come true. And this year, I traveled completely on my own for the first time to go and see the love of my life. What I thought would be a terrifying and intimidating experience turned out to be amazing. Not everything went right (for example, my luggage was lost for a bit and my flight was changed), but I somehow got through it all and ended up in London to meet Tom in person for the first time after waiting for a little over a year! Since then, I traveled back to England once more. I had never spent so much time away from home or my own country. In 2022, I plan on doing some more traveling, and it is still a big goal of mine to do the things that scare me, because it is always worth it in the end.

• Celebrated two years of “Compass to Confidence”

I truly can’t believe that I have been blogging for two years now! I still love it as much as I did in the beginning, even though I have not been doing it as often. My life has been a bit busy lately, but I will always enjoy and love having this space to share whatever is on my heart. I am grateful to be able to share my passions, give tips, and inspire others to become confident through my words. It is my mission to guide my followers to confidence, and I will not give up on it. My blog has even allowed me to gain more confidence in myself, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far I and my blog have come. I am looking forward to the content I will make in 2022, and I hope you will continue to follow along on the journey!

• Got engaged

Last but not least, the biggest highlight of all: Tom and I got engaged! After speaking about engagement and marriage for a while, Tom proposed to me on November 24^th soon after we arrived in the US. I always imagined what that moment would be like in my life, and it couldn’t have been any more perfect. From the very beginning, even before we started dating, I never had a doubt in my mind. I knew that he was the one for me very early on. I have never felt anything quite like Tom’s love before, and it was and always will be so special and precious to me. I am grateful to have found my forever person. Now… who is going to help me plan the wedding?!

This year has taught me so much, and overall, it has been wonderful and very enjoyable. I am looking forward to accomplishing more of my goals in 2022, and I can’t wait to bring you along with me. I will be sharing more about fashion, beauty, fitness, travel, entertainment, and more about my personal life! I also wanted to say thank you to those of you who have read my blog posts this year. Whether you have been following along from the beginning, or you are new to Compass to Confidence, thank you. Writing and inspiring others has always been my biggest goal in life, and every time I upload a blog post, I feel like I am reaching that goal. I am forever grateful. Be on the lookout for a blog post in the New Year, and I wish you all the best in 2022! Until next time…

Lessons from Love

_{A gift to my love.
Photo by: Tom Patch (@notapatchontom on Instagram)}

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and I have been thinking about sharing a post relating to romantic love. While I am no relationship expert, I have been experiencing what I believe to be true love, and it is honestly the most beautiful thing I have ever felt. Today, I will not be the only writer in this post; my boyfriend Tom is going to be sharing some of his gorgeous words as well. We collaborated on this blog post to share some of the things that we have learned from being in a strong, happy, and healthy relationship with one another. Everyone deserves to be loved, and today, we hope to remind you of that.

Every relationship is different, and every person is unique. We all look for different qualities and characteristics in a partner, and this is normal. However, the things that we share today could be beneficial and very helpful in any relationship. The most important thing is to simply to show love to one another. Today, Tom and I are sharing some lessons we have learned from love.

_{^{Love will never try to change you. It is all about accepting your partner just as they are. While we all have what we believe to be “flaws” whether they relate to our physical appearance or our personality, we have to remember that love is about opening up and being vulnerable. More importantly, it’s about showing compassion and acceptance, and being understanding.}}

_{^{We may not always see it, but everyone is special and we all have a purpose in this life. Sometimes, almost like magic, someone will appear in your life, take you by the hand, and remind you of why you are special. It’s important to believe it for yourself, but to have someone stand by you and be there to constantly remind you, is such a powerful thing. Confidence and bravery will come in waves, and it can spark something deep inside of you. Rather than judging, we should all focus more on listening and accepting. This will allow your partner to be seen and heard, and they will feel even more comfortable opening up as time goes on. Never be afraid to show your true colors, because someone out there is going to see the brightest shades of love in you.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

_{^{A healthy and beneficial relationship is built on trust and confidence, in each other and together. The trust and confidence to talk about anything and everything, even the taboo or controversial, is a powerful and sustaining path to an unshakeable partnership.}}

 _{^{It can often feel like many aspects of life sadly encourage a diluted way of communicating, therefore neglecting depth and sometimes resulting in feeling misunderstood and underappreciated. A loving relationship on the other hand, should facilitate the opportunity to come as you are, to speak openly and candidly, without the fear of being judged or ignored. Think of it as both a physical and emotional safe place to be, where the world’s clamorous distractions are faded into insignificance like the diminishing background noise in a potent film. With a comfortable space, loving partners are empowered to discuss anything and everything they wish, ensuring that words spoken will fall upon a caring, listening ear. Love tones don’t need to be pitch perfect, but the simple act of regular, deep conversation is enough to strengthen an already beautiful bond}}.

– _{^{Tom Patch}}

_{^{Reassurance is important. Even though your partner may know that you love and care for them, you should still remind them daily. You don’t have to go all out with grand gestures. You can simply use your words to let them know how you feel about them. You can even get creative and use your passion to express your love; whether that is through writing, photography or even singing! If you let time pass you by without telling your person that you love them and that they are the only one for you, they may begin to feel lonely, or as if they are not important to you. Challenges will arise, as they often do in life, however when you put in the effort and work on building a strong relationship, you can get to the other side, and you will be victorious together. Never stop showing love to your partner. There are so many beautiful ways to show someone that you care.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

_{^{Actively encouraging and supporting your partner in every good thing they do is a very beautiful and selfless demonstration of care. This continuous, conscious act produces far-reaching benefits and outcomes even greater than the sum of the effort invested. Social media is awash with motivational reminders of the importance of kindness and encouragement. The intentions behind those lovely words on screen are clear, but putting those words into daily practice is hugely rewarding for everyone, particularly your partner. The words and actions you use to lift people up are powerful and effective, offering peace, joy and empowerment to both you and your recipient!}}

_{^{Isn’t it remarkable how the language of love can raise people up to heights they never thought they’d reach and engage with people on a level they’ve so earnestly been waiting for!?}}

_{^{– Tom Patch}}

And lastly…

_{^{When someone loves you, you’re going to know it. You will feel it not only in your heart, but in your mind, body, and soul. You will be radiating gratitude, positivity, and fearlessness. Falling will be effortless, and showing love will forever be the goal. Love does not leave you questioning your worth, and love certainly does not make you feel lonely, insecure, or weak. You won’t have to question their heart or their intentions for you because they will make it as clear as day. You should be able to wake in the morning with the confidence and belief that you are loved. People often put in the effort when it comes to those they care about. Sometimes, that will mean phone calls throughout the day, and it can even mean crossing an entire ocean to get to the one you love. Words are powerful, but actions speak for themselves.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

Love is a journey that two people choose to take together, hand-in-hand. There is so much more to experience and learn. There may be challenges to overcome, but there will also be incredible and momentous occasions that you will share. Choose each other daily, and always choose love. Tom and I are looking forward to creatively sharing more of our relationship with the world in the future.

As many of my followers may know, my blog is all about finding confidence. So, I wanted to remind anyone and everyone that self-love and self-acceptance is what will lead you to finding romantic love. While it can be very difficult, I encourage you to take that first step. When you find confidence, and when you practice loving yourself daily, you will attract all of the right people into your life. I say this because I truly have experienced this first-hand. By loving yourself first, your romantic relationship will flourish and bloom, like a bud turned to a rose, and it will be so much stronger as a result. You will give and accept love freely, and there will be no holding back.

We hope that you found today’s blog post helpful! Tom and I enjoyed writing it, and we hope that our words will inspire someone out there to stay positive and to never give up on finding a real love. Thank you so much for reading! Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

For Tom,

I am forever grateful to have found my person in you. I am the luckiest girl in this world to be able to experience your wonderful love. Thank you for everything! We are still growing, my love!

_{“Your heart is my home.”
A beautiful gift from Tom.}

The People You Attract When You Love Yourself

For the longest time, I found myself connecting with people who treated me poorly. I felt like my heart was being taken advantage of time and time again. I used to put all of the blame on those who hurt me, but the truth is, I allowed them to treat me that way. Something I’ve learned over time is that the relationship you have with yourself, affects any and all of your relationships with others. When you don’t love who you are, you are essentially telling others, “You can love me as much as I love myself” and at times, this can be detrimental. At the end of the day, people are going to treat you how you allow them to. For myself, realizing this was a wake-up call.

Sometimes, we get into situations involving unkind people. Whether it is a love interest, a friend, a supervisor or peer, the list goes on. No one likes to be treated negatively. We all want to feel loved and accepted. We all want to find people who treat us with respect and like we are valuable. The problem is, you can’t really start looking for that love in others until you start looking for it in yourself. Truthfully, this isn’t always a problem. It depends on where you choose to focus your energy; on others or yourself. To fully accept who you are is such a gift. I have been taking my time to learn this and I have already been reaping the benefits of self-love.

I used to only focus on what I wanted. I failed to recognize my needs. Now, what I want and need is the same thing. I stopped putting in effort with people who don’t value me, and I broke free from those negative relationships that drained me. I know how I deserve to be treated now, and to rise from what I once felt broke me, is an incredible feeling. Of course, I am still learning and I am still growing. I am in no way perfect. They say that lessons are often repeated until they are learned, and I am sure that I will be tested with negative situations in the future. The difference will be how I choose to react to the situation. Will I let my love and care for others overpower their behavior, or will I walk away with the knowledge that I deserve better?

Self-love is a journey, and it is one that you need to continuously work on. You need to make it your job. It is not selfish to put yourself first when you realize that you aren’t being treated the way you deserve. There comes a point when enough is enough. You aren’t going to want to settle for people who don’t show you fierce and honest love and respect. Walking away from people who mistreat you can sometimes be difficult, but in the end, it is one of the most rewarding things you could ever do. Choosing yourself takes courage and strength.

Remember that the right people are going to love and accept you for who you are, all while pushing you to be your best self. The right people will never put you in a position where you question your worth, and they will never let you stay stuck.

I am learning to forgive myself for putting up with people and situations that I once allowed to hurt me. It is hard some days, but looking back, I see so much growth. I have changed so much in such a short amount of time, and I will always be proud of that.

For the past few years, I have been pouring so much love back into myself, and it has truly been life changing. Not only have I been feeling more confident and accepting of who I am, but I have been attracting the most amazing, supportive, and loving people into my life. I feel more at peace and happy with myself and my life than ever before, and I want to continue working hard to make sure this feeling stays.

Everything I shared today has been on my heart recently, and I am happy to put it out there. I hope that you found this message helpful today. If you feel that someone you know should hear it too, I would appreciate it if you shared this post with them. Thank you so much for reading!