Happy almost new year! I know we all say it, but it’s crazy to think that another year has gone by. The saying, “the days feel long, but the years feel short” seems wholly applicable, doesn’t it? If I had to look back on what 2014 meant to me, I think it was a period of growth, of coming into who I am and what I want to give to the world.

At the start of 2014, I had just moved back to California after living in Japan. I had left my former boyfriend and comfortable job behind and started my own design business right before the new year. It was scary and lonely at first. I doubted myself. I cried sometimes trying to figure out how I fit back into life in California and here in the online world. But I did the best I could, both in terms of growing my business and blog and building and rebuilding the friendships and relationships that mean the most to me today. I surpassed business and blogging goals I would’ve thought too lofty if we were chatting a year ago. I made memories with friends who I know will be around for the rest of my life. I made new friends, too — ones I cherish. And I met Paul, the best partner in crime. So, for everything that was difficult about 2014, it was also filled with so much beauty that it would be ridiculous to complain. I’m so thankful for this year of learning, now onto a year of blossoming. 🙂

In 2014, I also wrote 245 (!!) posts here on The Nectar Collective. I hope to bring you even more content in 2015, especially with the addition of some contributors (coming in January!). Here’s a recap of the most popular posts of 2014, with some of my very favorites thrown in, too. Enjoy! And have a very safe, happy, and love-filled new years, friends. Thanks for being here.

Best Posts to Help You Become a Better Person

1. How to Get Shit Done Even When You’re Totally Unmotivated
2. 3 Simple Tips to Help You Become More Charismatic
3. 15 Ways to Be a Good Human Today
4. 5 Ways to Feel Better Today
5. 12 Books to Read in 2015

Best Design-Related Posts

1. Recent Calligraphy Prints + Projects
2. DIY Edge Painted Business Cards
3. How to Create a Hand-Lettered Blog Header (Without a Scanner!)
4. 20 Instagram Accounts to Fuel Your Creativity
5. A couple of my favorite design projects here, here, here, and here

Best Posts for the Aspiring Business + Blogging Badass

1. How I Went From My Day Job to Full-Time Freelancer in Three Months
2. 13 Ways to Drive Traffic to Old Blog Posts (Free Printable Checklist!)
3. 20 Ten Minute Tips for Your Blog + Business (Free Printable!)
4. How I Organize and Plan Blog Posts
5. Where Does My Money Come From?
6. 9 Inspiring Tips I Learned at Alt Summit

Best Posts to Inspire Your Sense of Adventure

1. Outdoor Style + Hiking in Portland, Oregon
2. 5 Ways Japanese Culture Made Me a Better Person
3. Greetings From Yosemite

Best Wannabe Fashion Posts

1. Business on Top, Party on the Bottom
2. My Vintage Style
3. My Style: One Outfit, Two Ways

Best Posts About My Dog

1. A Letter to My Dog on His 2nd Birthday
2. How to Speak Monja

p.s. The best posts of 2013!