New Year. Isn’t it a little bit strange that there are just a few hours left to say goodbye to 2018? Not that it was a very special year – neither good or bad – but it was a year that passed so, so fast. Although a lot of stuff had happened, it seems that I did not even realize what really happened. It’s a paradox, I know. But that’s what I feel.

Anyway, the truth is I don’t have any reasons to complain. The year started well, with health. It brought me two trips to Paris for Fashion Week, an unforgettable opportunity that fills my heart with joy. One for Cuba. It also brought me a trip to the Alentejo and the discovery of many places in my country, Portugal.

It was in 2018 that I turned 30 and bought a Yves Saint Laurent after a long time of savings. And it was also in 2018 that I took one of the most important steps of my life: I moved to my dream home, hand in hand with my love. In between, I discovered some white hair: and I ripped them out. I postponed the issue to 2019.

I had the visit of some of the most important people in my life: my family from Brazil. I made new friends. I missed others (especially my Carol who is my best friend and lives in Coimbra). I’ve fallen in love over and over again with the person I chose for myself.

I read less than I would like to, but I discovered some of my favorite books ever. Among them, “The time between seams”. I went to the movies, I laughed, I cried, I felt sad and happy, I fell, I got up, I worked too much and I hardly watched television. But I watched many videos on youtube. I slept late more times than advised. I questioned my choices and realized that it is not easy to be a freelancer. Just in December I realized that this is how I am happy, in this life I have chosen for myself. I freed myself from prejudices and assumed, definitely, that I dropped my Law career and make money writing. I learned that there is nothing wrong with loving being alone. I always been like that, I just did not have the courage to admit that I prefer an afternoon reading than a party with strangers. I broke free. I went to the beach less than what makes me happy. I discovered the world of decoration and realized that a new home is an inexhaustible source of expenses.

I missed my mother. Every day.

The blog suffered a bit with the change of house and overwork. There were times when I wanted to disconnect from Instagram, the perfect feed, the competition for likes and followers. But I never wanted to shut me out of you, who are almost family. It’s important that you know that.

In short, it was not a bad year. It was an intense year, with changes, questions and some need for self-knowledge. It was a year of putting life in perspective and realizing that some things are more important than others.

For 2019 I do not ask for much. Just health. Since my mother’s illness, health is what I value the most. May we have plenty of it so we can run after our dreams.

And may the new year bring many smiles, work and learning. Motivation to go after what makes us happy. Give us evenings with friends, feets in the sand and lots of complacent laughter. Let there be travels, plans, loves forever and, as far as I am concerned, content to give you and to make you dream.

Have a happy new year. See you in 2019!