To my sweet readers,
It’s almost time to bid goodbye to 2017- we have less than 24 hours! I’m going to keep this final open letter for the year short and sweet.
First of all, thank you all so much for supporting me and Handmade Hearts. This blog and the people that I’ve connected with because of it mean the world to me! Writing this blog taught me to open up in ways that I couldn’t even imagine doing a short 8 months ago. Creating Handmade Hearts allowed me to learn to have faith in people again (more on that in a later post), which only changed my life for the better.
I talked about this in extent during my last post, but I have many many exciting plans during 2018! A couple I didn’t mention include participating in my first blogging challenge (comment if you want details on how you can do it too), and joined several blogging groups so that I can connect with other bloggers! I’ve met so many great people.
I also started writing my first recipe for “Your Comfort Food But Better” which I also mentioned in my last post! It’s a mini series I’m trying out on this blog that focuses on making better-for-you versions of everyone’s favorite comfort foods! If you have a comfort food you want me to try, comment below! Also comment if you have a recipe you really liked that you want me to try!
Another thing that I mentioned earlier this week in an Instagram post was another one of my New Years Resolutions- wearing less makeup, and wearing makeup less often. There were several reasons why I made this decision, the first and foremost being that I really believe people should be able to appreciate themselves in their own true skin- pimples, scars and all. My skin right now has a ton of blemishes, but that’s mostly because I haven’t been taking care of it like I should, and I’ve been covering it up with makeup so it can’t breathe! Makeup is so much fun to put on, but it’s expensive! I figured that if the only reason I put on makeup was to make my skin look better, if I worked on making my skin actually look better, I’d have less of a need to wear it in the first place, and I’d save money! It doesn’t take a lot to take care of your skin, either, and committing to making your skin better means committing to being healthier in general! Your skin reflects what you put in your body. If you put good in your body, your body will look good! Anyways, maybe those of you reading this aren’t skin care fanatics, but I’m excited because I know it’s going to be worth it!
Anyways, I said I was going to keep this short and sweet, but here I am so far down from where I started!
To end this open letter, I hope you and your loved ones end 2017 on a high note and have a great start to 2018. Happy New Year!
Sending you my warmest thoughts,
Aarti
Very nice to meet you and looking forward to reading more of your open letters. As for the makeup, you are beautiful and don’t need makeup to change that. I am 68 years old and have never worn any! Good luck on the challenge, I’m looking forward to it again.
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Nice to meet you. I am looking forward to reading more from you.
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nice to meet you as well!! can’t wait to read your writing for the ultimate blog challenge!
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thank you Martha! I appreciate the feedback on the letter. You are right, no one really needs makeup! and I think it’s so great that you have loved yourself as you should for your whole life! I’m looking forward to seeing your blogs in the challenge too. Happy New Year!
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Good for you for going makeup free. I have worn makeup foundation and lipstick maybe 5 times in the last few years (weddings, funeral). I only do eye shadow and l’m ready to go. You look beautiful! Good luck with the challenge.
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thank you!! Good luck to you too 🙂 Can’t wait to read your posts!
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Hi Aarti!
As a blogger I think this letter is so sweet, you don’t see many bloggers reach out to their readers this way! I am grateful to have met you even if we are going through the opposite thing, I had a heart and liver transplant and either couldn’t or didn’t want to wear makeup! This year my goal is to do my hair and makeup at least 3x a week, maybe I’ll learn to feel comfy in my own skin but for now I’m getting my self-esteem back ❤ Happy New Year!
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Hey! this is what I did last year- I wore makeup almost everyday and I did learn to feel more comfortable! What I would say is learn how to have fun and be artistic with your makeup! Even if you do an everyday basic look, put your own creativity into it! Makeup is so much fun to do, and it’s not like I’ll never do it again! I just felt like I did it up to a point where I felt like it kept me from being accessible to people, which is what I wanted. But if you starting to do makeup more often, use it as a form of expression! I’m so excited for you and I know you will have tons of fun. If you are into sparkly makeup (I love sparkly things), check out Colourpop- this is my favorite makeup brand ever because their makeup is pretty inexpensive and really good quality! Post your looks and have fun!
And yes!! I started writing letters last year, and found that it’s a really great way to open up to people. There is a great honesty in it that doesn’t come the same way in when you normally speak to people- at least to me. And my audience really seems to like it! It’s nice meeting you! looking forward to your posts 🙂
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I’ve just joined a few FB groups as well, and I look forward to meet more bloggers! Nice meeting you, btw:) I totally support you using less makeup or even none because you’re beautiful the way you are! Society tries to imply women should always have makeup, but I hate this! I don’t believe in those instagram accounts of girls with a hat and a flower dress, all perfect. Life isn’t perfect, why should we be, right?
Anyways, happy new year, Aarti!
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LOVE the way you put this!!! It’s so nice to meet you too 🙂 Exactly! What I learned this year for the most part is that there is a great strength in being vulnerable. There is strength in admitting that you are flawed and sometimes wrong and that you as a whole are not perfect. That’s how you connect with other people! Happy New Year!!! Thank you again 🙂
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Good luck on the blog challenge, I love the less makeup thought… New Year, new starts.
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I love the open letter idea its so creative! 🙂
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Found your blog today and am so glad! An inspiring new years resolution to wear less makeup, and less often – I’m trying to same for this coming year. Natural beauty, and loving ourselves for the way we are always! And you’re right – I think we often use makeup as an excuse to not take care of our skin properly – I mean we can just cover it up right!
Wishing you a happy new year and a wonderful 2018!
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Exactly!!! plus the harsh chemicals from the makeup damage skin! we can work through this together 🙂 Self love is a great goal!
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Open letters are a great idea–and perfect at the end of the year. You’ve made me want to write one also. My aunt was a writer and occasionally would write them on various topics.
Happy New Year!
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Happy new year!!! you should!!! Let’s make it a trend 🙂 it’s such a great way to open up! Next time, send me a link and I’ll make sure to check it out!
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