Even though I try to show my gratitude all year long, I really love the holiday season because it’s a nice time to stop and reflect on all of the blessings in your life. I had so much to be grateful for last Thanksgiving. Even though this year had some tough patches, I still feel so grateful for the things in my life.
Read below to learn what I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving – from big to small. What are you grateful for this year?
Xx, Kelsey
MY BOYFRIEND
Jon and I will have been together six years in March. We’ve been through so much. When we met, I was a competitive ice dancer, and he was in the army. We’ve been through a nine month deployment and the heartbreaking end of my figure skating career. He was there for my college graduation and to move me into my nearly-unlivable first apartment. We moved to NYC together and from there to Amsterdam. We’ve been there for each other through terrible loss and extreme happiness. I couldn’t be more grateful for his love and support.
FAMILY (forever)
I am so lucky for the support system my family provides. There are so many things in my life that would not have been possible without them. And of course, I have to shout out to my amazing parents for all they’ve done for me. Whether it’s booking me a last minute flight home or just being there to talk through an issue over the phone. I’m forever grateful.
LIFE IN THE DAM
I never thought that I’d be living abroad. While it was always a dream, seeing it become reality has been incredible. There were of course, some struggles in my first year in Amsterdam. But I’ve learned so much from living here. I’ve got a newfound appreciation for the Dutch culture. My eyes have been opened to how Europeans think and how they see the United States. I’ve been able to experience so much history, and I’ve learned so much about what it truly means to work abroad.
SIX MONTHS OF UNEMPLOYMENT
While unemployment might not seem like something to be grateful for, I learned so much about myself during that time. I learned about my personality. I learned how much of my personal success I attributed to having a certain career. And I learned to be content with what I have. Those months of unemployment allowed me time to explore Amsterdam and build a strong foundation for my blog. They also allowed me to become a freelancer and discover a different way of working.
MY FRIENDS
All across the world, I am so grateful for the friends I have. I can jump back in to life with them like nothing ever happened. Their love and support in this move and this blogging journey means more to me than they probably know. I’m so grateful for each and every one of them and the inspiration they provide.
KELSEYYBARNES.COM
I am so grateful for this blog and the beautiful space that we have created on the internet. I am grateful that I can share my thoughts, feelings, and fashion with you all. And I am grateful for your support. Even after a full year, I still get so excited when I learn that someone new reads what I write. Every additional reader, every additional click means that I have more and more opportunities to create amazing content for you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making my dream possible.
And lastly, a few of the other things I’m grateful for this year:
- The process of becoming a spin instructor
- The Thanksgiving dinner we will be enjoying at the Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday (complete with football!)
- WhoWhatWear for being my eternal source of inspiration
- The Yuletide candle that’s making my apartment smell like Christmas heaven
- The heated floors in my apartment because it’s starting to get COLD
- Train station coffee that shouldn’t be as good as it is
- Chunky sweaters because they make my heart happy
- Spending Christmas in Switzerland with Jon
