It’s been a big year for our family — with lots of changes, lots of new experiences, lots of goodbyes, and lots of hellos. We’ve grown as a family, our marriage has grown, this blog has grown, and I’ve grown a lot as a person.
I spent a few hours today going back through all of the content pieces I posted this past year and picking out the top 10 posts. It was quite a walk down memory lane to go through these and remember the highs and lows of this year and to see how I’ve grown in my openness and authenticity this past year…
The Top 10 Posts From 2014
1. How Do You Find Good Friends — this post on my journey from feeling lonely and not good enough to cultivating some amazing real-life relationships sparked a flood of comments and emails from people who are also desperately hoping for deep relationship. If you struggle to find and maintain good friendships, be sure to read this post.
2. 5 Keys to Have a Strong Marriage — Even During the Storms of Life — this post was written after we experienced a rough, rough few months in our marriage after we moved to TN. The principles in this post have carried us through many a storm of life and helped us to stick together in the midst of it. If you need some encouragement or ideas to strengthen your marriage or are just going through a rocky patch, be sure to read this post.
3. My Nail-Biting Habit, Shame, and What I’m Learning About Authenticity — this post was hard for me to write since it was so personal and putting myself “out there”. The response of encouragement and “I struggle with that, too!” completely blew me away and encouraged me to continue to be really authentic in my writing.
4. We’re Headed to Nashville & Some Changes I’m Making on the Blog — I wrote this post as we were driving from Kansas to Nashville to make our big family move. This post was monumental for me as it was the day I decided to really change the way I’d been blogging and go back to my blogging roots.
I’m so grateful I made this change as it’s brought back so much passion and love for blogging for me. It’s been the best change and I’m so thankful to have you all along with me on this ride! And in case you missed it, here’s a post on why we moved to Nashville.
5. I’m Done With Being a People Pleaser — This post was a follow-up to my announcement on our moving to Nashville post that I was going to be going back to my roots as a blogger. In it, I opened up about why I had struggled to be open on my blog the past few years and what changed for me.
6. How I Stopped Yelling at My Kids & How It’s Changed Our Home — This post was one of my most-shared-posts ever. Apparently, I’m not the only one who struggles with yelling!
7. Let’s Stop Photoshopping Our Lives — I was a little embarrassed to share this post, but at the same time, I really want to be real and authentic on my blog. And well, this is the real deal. We certainly won’t be featured in Better Homes & Gardens or as Best Home on Pinterest, but that’s okay. 🙂
8. Why We More Than Doubled Our Grocery Budget — This was another post that I was sacred to push publish on. Honestly, I waited for weeks to write it because I had no idea how it would be received. But by and large, you all were incredibly supportive and you reminded me why I love you all so much!
9. This Crazy Journey I’ve Been on the Last 10 Years (and Yes, You Can Make Money Blogging) — I had so much fun writing this post and reminiscing over the last almost 10 years I’ve been blogging. If you’ve ever wanted if it’s possible to make money blogging, I think my story will encourage you.
10. Dear Mom Who Is So Tired of Living on a Tight Budget — If you’re feeling overwhelmed and discouraged about your budget as we head into 2015, this post is a must-read.
Runner-up posts that almost made this list:
- 9 Practical Ways to Yell Less & Love More
- On Perfectionism & Disappointing Readers
- A Crazy Eye Episode & Why I Sometimes Drink Starbucks Coffee
- Ponytails, Sweatshirts, & a Mother’s Love
- Choose Love Today
- Sometimes Courage is Just Showing Up & Giving It Your All
- Why We Pay Our Children For Doing Chores
- How Can I Save Money on Food When I’m Never Home?
- Muddy Feet, Messy Rooms, and the Seemingly Mundane
What were YOUR favorite posts from 2014? I’d love to hear as I make plans for 2015.
LorI says
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your top posts. I’ve subscribed to your feed for years, but just recently have been more faithful in reading your posts. For me what is drawing me back in is your openness and your authenticity. Reading your post on doubling your grocery budget was so freeing for me! I’ve been filled with guilt over the money I spend on groceries, especially when reading or hearing of the deals friends and other bloggers post. I know it is self imposed guilt that I’m not the most frugal, choosing the least expensive way, etc. However, there is a time to set aside rice and beans, and I shouldn’t feel guilt over that and over not having time for extreme couponing and embracing caring and pleasing my family with our menu and choosing healthier options while staying within our means. Your post meant so much! Thank you! Thank you!
And, I’m really interested in finding the post you mentioned in your post about loving instead of lashing out at your kids. A post you were planning on writing about no electronics for your kids. Is that one published yet?
lyss says
A couple of these I even pinned to reread later! Apparently I’m not the only one who was challenged and encouraged! : )
At the end of your “How I stopped yelling…” post, you mentioned having your kids go electronics-free except for one night, and that you might do a post on that. Did you and I missed it? If not, would you consider that for 2015? We don’t even have a tv, but I’m sick of my kids always asking to watch a movie on the computer/phone/ipad.
Robin says
I have read your blog for years now and continue to use it as motivation for working towards my own financial, personal, and business goals. Thanks for all you do!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement and for being such a long-time reader!
Kate @thebeautifulusefulproject.com says
Crystal, you are just the best. Thanks for all that you do to help our families! If it weren’t for you, there’s no way I could afford to be a stay-at-home mom. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
This comment made my day! Thank you!!
brandi says
I think it’s worth noting that the ones that were top read were about your family and overcoming life’s challenges. We all struggle and so often we hide that part of ourselves away, so it is refreshing to have people be honest with how life really is!
Lea Stormhammer says
Thanks for sharing Crystal!
I too love hearing about what you did in your week – all the fun and challenging things with your family and friends. I also love the series that you do. Those challenge me and make me want to refine my own goals as well and push a little harder too.
We, too, are in a season of change this year and I’ve really enjoyed reading about your desire to be real, make friends and live an authentic life. My husband is in the process of becoming a Lutheran pastor (he’s in internship currently) and it is so tempting to pretend that we have it all together and don’t have our own struggles. You’ve really encouraged me this year to be real and admit that it’s hard, and frustrating and that we don’t have it all together. Pretending to be perfect is a lonely place to be.
Thanks for being such an encouragement, Crystal, and I hope your 2015 is a wonderful year!
Lea
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for this kind and encouraging comment! I’m grateful that this blog has inspired you!
Marie says
I don’t think I could pick a favorite. I am encouraged and blessed everyday with your blog. I am sad when others feel a need to criticize you. Not everything applies to me but I don’t expect it to. You reach so many people with the gift God has given you to write. I will be forever grateful for finding your blog. I look forward to 2015.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for being such a blessing!
Kemi says
Like many of your readers I enjoy your posts that give us a peek into your life. I enjoyed the post on raising your grocery budget. We went through a grocery budget overhaul this year also.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement!
Davonne Parks says
I read every single one of your blog posts and if I was going to do a top ten list for your site, my list would have been very similar to what you posted. I LOVE that you’ve gone back to your roots on your blog and I can’t wait to see what 2015 holds for your business!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! It was GREAT to get to meet you in person this year!
lizajane says
I was nice to remember reading these posts, and interesting to see which made the top 10! …but you might want to change it from showing “The Top 10 Posts From 2015” to 2014 instead 🙂
Crystal Paine says
😉 Fixed that!
Gail Akeman says
I also loved your post about your crazy journey with your blog because I am also a blogger.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!