Brussels, Thursday December 23th 2021, 17h30

While rereading the goals I had set for 2021, I can only conclude that I did a quite good job bringing myself a few steps closer to the woman I want to become. To be honest, at the present time, there is little that I could be unhappy about. Obviously, my life isn't always pink skies and butterflies, I think that's clear if you've followed my journey a bit until now. But I figured out life sure can become near to what you've always dreamed of, out of the ordinary really, at least if you look close enough.

Here's how I manage to find the magic and contentment in whatever life brings my way. A trip down my 2021 memory lane:

This year, the almost unthinkable happened against all odds: I started my residency in Dermatology. The idea that I refused to let go and kept believing in my capacities continues to fill me with feelings of pride and pure happiness. Sure, along the way, there were dark, really dark, awful days. Sometimes, there still are. But eversince I understood that the magic is to seek within, even the worst of days get ignited by some starry, dusty light. Proceeding with my first professional steps as a doctor - and future derm, yay!- made me gaine more confidence than ever.

But not only did I grow in what I do everyday workwise. More importantly, I learned to do more things, for me. Only for me. I quit trying to make everybody happy and so, I became happier myself. As a kid of divorced parents, I naturalIy picked up the habit to divide myself into a hundred pieces, constantly compromising despite my own needs. Which sometimes set me up with unnecessary stress. Nevertheless, I never got unleashed of that 'always-on-the-go'-vibe. More was always more, until a few months ago. I try to take more rest, say no from time to time, and consider more of what I find important instead of anyone else. Resulting in a more actively glowing me. I hope to transmit that shimmer to everyone around me ♥.

Another thing that made me particularly happy and proud this year, is that I redesigned the blog together with Craftzer, the small business in web developing I work with. No great results without bumpy roads, so there were some sleepless nights. But then like a star waiting in the wings, The Sacred Closet appeared back on scene. Notice me taking bigger professional paces with the coolest hobby one can imagine. The fact that I combine this with a full time job at the hospital (that also demands extra hours in terms of research or study), does make it hard sometimes. But most of all, super exciting and out of this world. I am grateful for the progress I made in writing and creative thinking, since for me it works in a way of getting to know yourself a little bit better.

In a nutshell; 2021 truly has brought me everything I've ever dreamed of so far. But I'm not done dreaming, yet.

"Those who don't believe in magic, will never find it" - Roald Dahl

I wanted this article and photographs to be exceptional. Hence I partnered up with Atelier Exc, an exclusive Belgian fashion house that advocates femininity by bringing haute couture with a spirit that brings you out of your comfort zone. Yup, even I was totally bewildered when I got into this pink princess dress! Creative director is Ebru Sari, a Turkish badass woman who describes her collection as mature, vivid and feminine.

I chose Ebru's work to bring my end-of-year wishes because she stands for empowering women, making them feel like living in a contemporary fairytale. Better said, values I support 100% and try to pass on as well. All women should at least get the chance to design the life of their dreams.

Together we carefully selected 3 dresses for The Sacred Closet's new year's article. Each handmade (!) masterpiece breathes elegant luxury and confidence. I considered it important that they would reflect my personality. I felt like a Pink Viennese princess in the pink one. Bombastic, over-the-top, yet soft and fragile. My absolute favorite is the tulle design - if you look closely you'll see a hundred little featheres sewed on. Not too revealing but sexy as hell. To spice things up - the little black dress. Super simple but you can barely ever go wrong with it..

I am really excited about the new year to come. I'm sure I'll learn a lot, both professionally and personally. As for The Sacred Closet, I can already disclose that cool projects and shoots with brands I'm very fond of are coming up. I'm also working on a way to bring you some more beauty- or dermatology-related posts, but it'll take some more time to figure that out in depth. I will also go live on my own again, which I'm very excited about!

So 2022, bring it on. I am ready for the highs, but also the lows. I hope I will continue to see, that with a positive and dedicated mindset, fantasy and reality often overlap. Therefore, for 2022, my ultimate wish to you is: make a fairytale, and go live in it!

Love,

Ornella ♥

♥ What I was wearing: all things pretty and feminine by Atelier Exc

♥ Pictures by Annelies Schrevens