When I saw the “2016 was ten years ago” trend making its rounds, my first thought was wow, that can’t be right.

And my second thought?
I didn’t think I’d have much to share from that year.

I was on maternity leave, living in leggings, running on caffeine, and juggling a toddler who refused to nap. It didn’t feel like a “career milestone” kind of year.

But when I started looking back through old photos (as one does), I realized something: that “quiet” season taught me more about connection, balance, and growth than I ever could’ve imagined.

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The Year That Looked Ordinary but Wasn’t

The first few months of 2016 were full of unknowns. I was pregnant and scared, wondering how life would change and if I could possibly love another baby as much as my first.

Spoiler: I could. My heart just grew bigger.

That year I learned how to rely on my village — friends, family, neighbours, and ask for help (which, for anyone who’s ever tried, is not easy).

I learned that empathy grows when you’re in the thick of it. Suddenly I had endless compassion for anyone traveling with kids, anyone feeling stretched thin, anyone trying to find themselves in a season that didn’t leave much room for them.

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The Start of Something New

Somewhere between breastfeeding and bedtime routines, I started experimenting with something new: social media.

I began selling women’s clothing online through a direct marketing company, sharing photos, connecting with people, telling stories. It didn’t feel like “marketing.” It felt like community.

That was my first glimpse into what would eventually become J Walsh Social Co. A love for storytelling, connection, and helping others show up authentically online.

It turns out, those early lessons in juggling, empathy, and communication are the same ones I use every day now helping business owners find confidence and clarity in their social media.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

2016 taught me that growth doesn’t always look glamorous. Sometimes it looks like balancing nap schedules and late night side projects.

It taught me that connection is everything, in parenting, in business, and in life.
And it taught me that even when you feel like you’re “just getting by,” you might actually be laying the groundwork for your next chapter.

Ten years later, I’m still using what I learned that year:

• How to multitask with grace (and caffeine).
  
• How to build a village that makes the hard things easier.
  
• And how to use social media not just as a marketing tool, but as a way to build real, lasting relationships.
  

So while 2016 may not have looked like a defining year on paper but it absolutely was.

Here’s to the seasons that look ordinary but change everything.