Off the Shoulder Sweater + Pink Booties

 Photographer-RaeAnn Walters

Top-so old I don't remember where it's from | choker neck tie-Asos Jeans-Old Navy| Booties-Sam Edelman 

Fashion trends are cyclical. We live in an age where everything that is currently in style was already a trend in the past. So before you run to the store to buy everything that is on trend and subsequently run your wallet dry, rummage through your wardrobe? You might already own one of those "it" pieces that you're itching to buy. The off the shoulder trend became pretty popular last year and doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon. Why? Because the silhouette looks good on everyone! After all, have you ever heard someone say they are self-conscious about their shoulders? Besides, I don't believe ugly shoulders exist. You, your mom, and your grandma call all look good in an off the shoulder outfit. I had the urge to declutter my life a few months ago (this is an ongoing project because letting go is so much easier said than done and I have a lot I need to get rid of that will take more than one day) and I decided to start with my wardrobe. This resulted in me filling two large contractor size garbage bags with clothes to donate, a bag with clothes to dump, and also led me to find a few items I realize I liked enough to wear like this sweater I've had since I was in middle school. I tried it on and it fit perfectly! It can be worn both on or off the shoulder so I opted for the latter. While I love to shop for clothes and I'm sure you do to, the moral of the story is that you can take something old and make it look new.

Just like we experience fashion cycles, we also go through cycles in life. When things are great, we fall into comfortable routines sometimes forgetting the work it takes to maintain greatness. Before we know it, we find ourselves in a tough place. When times get hard and we feel like nothing is working in our favor even though we're doing the best we can and all we want is a break. Here are a few tips to make the most out of the cycles of life:

1. Don't get too comfortable, especially in a business situation. Being comfortable means you can relax. But let's face it, sometimes comfort leads to laziness. We're not on our A game when we get comfortable which often leads to mistakes and setbacks.

2. Instead of complaining about how tired you are and begging God to give you a break from your problems, ask for a breakthrough. Breaks don't make our problems disappear, they simply give us time to deal with them or prolong the agony. God does not want to see us suffer but healing and restoration only come after hardship. Keep pushing through your problems with faith and power because God wants to give you a breakthrough. Ask God to give you a spirit of tenacity and perseverance to withstand whatever comes your way.

3. There is no excuse for hard work but if you learn to work smarter, you won't have to work as hard all the time

4. Your labor is not in vain if you are laboring with purpose. Always work toward a goal and devise a plan to achieve that goal

5. "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." -James 4:6
Don't ever be too proud to ask for help. The most successful people in the world have a team of supporters, helpers, and advisers.

6. You'll never stand strong on a broken foundation.