The Reset I Didn’t See Coming: A Life Update + My Plan Moving Into the New Year

From my birthday in August until now, life has been a mix of the highest highs and the deepest lows.  The kind of months that change you in ways you can’t put into words.

I’ve spent the last several months watching my sister-in-law, Lacey, fight the hardest battle against brain cancer. The first hospital emergency happened on my birthday, and from that moment on, everything changed. The weeks and months after that were filled with hospital visits, moments of hope followed by crushing setbacks, and watching someone you love slip away piece by piece.

On December 2nd, we were by her side as she took her last breath.

There’s no way to explain what it’s like to witness something like that. The pain, the helplessness, the trauma. It stays with you. It changes how you see everything.

All of this was happening at the same time that our business was experiencing some of its biggest milestones. New product launches, record-breaking months & exceeding huge goals. What should have been a time of celebration became a confusing mix of happiness and heartbreak. There were moments of light surrounded by so much sadness.

Losing Myself in the Process

Through all of this, my healthy habits, the ones that usually keep me grounded,  completely fell apart.

The only thing I stayed consistent with was my skincare routine, but when your body is in constant stress, not sleeping, and fueling on junk food, no skincare product in the world can fix that. I feel like I’ve aged ten years in just a few months.

The truth is, my eating habits became some of the worst they’ve been in over five years. It was about convenience and survival. I finally understand how hard it can be for people to break unhealthy habits when they’re stuck in a cycle of stress, exhaustion, and emotional eating.

Birthdays, holidays, family gatherings all blurred together, and the takeout and comfort food just became routine. It took a toll on everything: my energy, my sleep, my skin, and my mental health.

So, I’m done waiting for the new year to “start fresh.” I’m starting now.

My Reset Plan: Back to Basics

I’m going back to the foundation that makes me feel like me.

🥩 1. Nutrition

I’m returning to my animal-based, dairy-free keto approach.

*Side note: Dairy is “bad,” but my body feels better without it, especially since navigating perimenopause.

This means home-cooked meals, more protein, and absolutely no more eating out just because it’s convenient. I used to love cooking, it grounded me. Lately, I’ve been eating out more than I cook, and not only is that expensive, it’s completely disconnected me from the quality of what I’m putting in my body.

So, this reset is about getting back in the kitchen, back to nourishing foods, and taking control again.

🏋️ 2. Movement

This one is hard for me. I’m not naturally someone who loves to work out. My body hurts, it’s uncomfortable, and I don't stay consistent. But I know this is the missing piece in my health.  Working out is the thing that will bring back my strength, my energy, and my confidence.

I’m committing to movement again. Not perfection but consistency. Even when it’s uncomfortable.  I am going to set a realistic expectation for now since I have been doing less than nothing, I don't think I am ready to start a full routine this minute.  BUT, what I can do is start moving again.  I am commiting to going on walks during the work week.  This may not sound like a lot at all, because it isn't, but it's more than I have been doing in months.  I have not walked in months.  And it's freezing out, but I am not going to let that be an excuse.  I need to move my body even if it's 15 mins in 20 degree weather.  

☀️ 3. Living Life Again

The other big shift I’m making is prioritizing life outside of work.

Lacey taught me this. She was an adventurer, always exploring, always experiencing life. Watching her fight for her life reminded me how precious our time really is. I don’t want to look back with regrets or realize I spent all my years behind a screen working instead of living.

We’re blessed to have the freedom to work remotely, but we haven’t been taking advantage of it. That’s changing. I want to travel, create memories, and feed my soul, because work and money will always be there, but time and experiences won’t.

I planned a Lacey inspired trip to NYC & Connecticut in February.  Traveling and planning trips is not my specialty, it actually overwhelms me.  This is a gift Lacey had.  She was so amazing at creating itineraries and making trips special.  I remember the first trip me and Tyson took to NYC after Lacey's diagnosis, she planned our whole experience in the city.  I have been to NYC many times, but this time was different.  Her itinerary for us made the trip so special and memories I will always have.  Because I am not a gifted travel planner like Lacey was, I have to use ChatGPT to help me plan the itinerary, which has been so helpful.  I gave it prompts with Lacey's vision in mind and it planned out a very special trip for us.  I will share this entire trip in another blog once we are back.

My Advice (for You and for Me)

If you’re in a similar season, burned out, overwhelmed, or just not feeling like yourself,  please know this: you don’t have to wait for the perfect timing to start over. You don’t need January 1st. You don’t need a plan that’s perfect.

You just need a decision.

Start small.

• Choose one meal to cook at home.
• Go for a walk instead of scrolling.
• Do your skincare as an act of self-care and a healthy habit, not a chore.
• Book the trip, and embrace the downtime.
• Journal.  Set goals that work for you.
• Start over whenever you want. 
• Give yourself grace to not have to do everything perfectly.

We’re all human. We all fall off track. And we can all start again, as many times as we need to.

This reset isn’t just for me, it’s for anyone who’s felt lost, heavy, or disconnected from themselves lately. I’m doing this with you.

Healing from the Inside Out

As I start this reset, remember that healing for our heart, body, and skin doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the daily choices that add up. The meals we nourish ourselves with, the thoughts we choose, the consistency we show up with, even on the hard days. That’s what my entire philosophy has always been about: supporting your skin from the inside out. Skincare plays a part, but it’s only one piece of the whole. 

We’re in this together. 🤍