The Rollercoaster Year

2024 was, without a doubt, the hardest year of my life. I bought a house, completely remodeled it, faced a serious illness, started a new job, sold my house, moved twice, and ended my relationship.

Looking back, I’m not entirely sure how I made it through. Sometimes, it takes being stretched to your limits to force you to grow. What surprised me most was how something as small as the Instagram algorithm became a catalyst for so much of that growth.

Leaning Into Spirituality

Feeling pretty lost—as one does during a year of chaos—I turned to spirituality, tarot cards, burning sage and yes I became a crystal girl hoping to find some clarity. Encouraged by my mom, I set up an altar where I made offerings and set intentions. This ritual became a grounding force in my life, giving me moments of peace amidst the storm.

It was during this time that I began noticing patterns in my past relationships. It felt like the universe was holding up a mirror, asking me to confront uncomfortable truths about myself and how I navigated connections.
I pulled Tarot cards that were blowing my mind on the daily. Like getting direct guidance and answers and pulling the same cards over and over to questions I was asking but hoping for a different answer.

Angel Aura Quartz

Palo Santo & Sage Sticks Kit

Amatista Crystal

Tarot

Discovering Anxious Attachment

Right around this time, Instagram started showing me posts about anxious attachment styles. At first, I had no idea what it meant, but after doing some research, it resonated deeply. I realized the patterns I was seeing in my relationships had a name—and that I wasn’t alone.

The First Spark

The first podcast I stumbled upon in my nightly Instagram scroll was The Love Strategies Podcast. It explains (amongst many other topics) what anxious, secure, and avoidant attachment styles are and how they show up in relationships. That episode sparked my curiosity, and I dove headfirst into the topic.

I picked up Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, and it was like a hundred lightbulbs going off in my mind. Childhood experiences, core memories, and my adult behaviors suddenly all made a lot more sense.

After finishing Attached, I read Secure Love: A Proven Guide to Cultivating Healthy Relationships. This book offered actionable steps to help me shift my relationship dynamics in healthier ways.

Discovering Self-Love Through Lyss

Around this time, I also discovered Lyss’s podcast, Date Yourself Instead. Her content was spiritual and focused on building a relationship with yourself. She reminded me of something I’d forgotten in the chaos of 2024: the importance of pouring energy into myself instead of others.

This led me to her course, Dare to Detach, where I learned to emotionally detach from unhealthy relationships and create stronger boundaries. The lessons were profound and life-changing.

Transformative Lessons from Mel Robbins

One day, while listening to the Love Strategies Podcast, Mel Robbins’ podcast autoplayed. I was instantly hooked. Mel lives in Vermont, and being from there myself, I felt an immediate connection.

Mel’s podcasts are packed with science-backed, life-changing guidance, including insights on how difficult it is to make real changes in your life and how expecting others to change is often an impossible ask.

I went on to read her book, The Let Them Theory, which taught me to let go of control and focus on what I could influence—my own behavior and reactions to others. This further deepened my understanding of anxious attachment, helping me release anxiety around trying to control other people and situations.

Returning to an Old Favorite: Jenna Kutcher

As the year drew to a close, I returned to Jenna Kutcher’s podcast, The Goal Digger Podcast. I’ve followed Jenna for years, ever since I started my entrepreneurial journey, but life’s chaos kept me from her content in 2024.

On December 31, I finally tuned back in. Her episode on goal setting was exactly what I needed—it encouraged me to focus on the journey and celebrate small wins rather than chasing massive, overwhelming goals.

Jenna’s book, How Are You, Really?, also made a huge impact. It pushed me to ask myself hard questions and realign my life with what truly matters.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I step into 2025, I’m embracing the mindset of putting in the reps to reap the rewards. Whether it’s working out, focusing on my business, or maintaining my short-term rentals, I’m ready to show up consistently. In fact my word of the year is: CONSISTENCY.

Getting sick in 2024 shifted my priorities in a big way. My health is now a top focus, and I’ve joined Lyss’s Mind Body Soul Reset course to nurture my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It feels like the perfect next step as I emerge from one of the hardest years of my life.

Reflections on Growth

When I reflect on 2024, I see it as the year that forced me to grow, even when I didn’t feel like I had anything else to give. The lessons I learned from Instagram posts, podcasts, books, and courses were a lifeline, helping me rebuild a healthier mindset and stronger relationships.

2025 is a new chapter. I’m stepping into it with less fear, more energy, and a deeper commitment to living a life aligned with my values.

Resources That Changed My Life

love strategies

What they offer: A podcast and platform focused on creating healthy, secure relationships through understanding attachment styles and improving communication.

Podcast: Love Strategies Podcast

Lyss – Date Yourself Instead

What she offers: A podcast and courses that focus on self-love, spirituality, and creating boundaries to build a healthier relationship with yourself.

Podcast: Date Yourself Instead