Dear Beautiful Soul,

I see you. I know what it feels like to step into a new year with a heavy heart, wondering if this one will finally be different—or if it’ll just be more of the same. You might be feeling lost, stuck, or like you’re somehow running out of time. Maybe you’re watching others live what seem like dream lives while you’re just trying to get through the day.

Trust me when I say, I understand.

This past year has been one of the hardest of my life. A business idea I poured my heart into didn’t work out, and after months of applying for corporate jobs, I faced rejection after rejection. It took five long months of self-doubt and barely any interviews before I finally found something to give me stability. And even then, my mental health hit a low I never thought I’d experience.

Moving to sunny Florida was supposed to be a dream come true, but I found myself homesick for the Netherlands. I missed my friends, my “home,” and the sense of belonging that I took for granted. There were days I felt so lonely it physically hurt. I kept telling myself I should be happy, but deep down, I felt like I was falling behind in life, missing out on all the experiences I’d dreamed of.

I wanted to live so many lives at once—the corporate girl boss, the creative entrepreneur, the carefree traveler—but I felt like I wasn’t doing any of them well.

And yet, here we are. A new year. A blank page.

Here’s what I want you to know: You are not defined by the challenges you’ve faced.

Last year might have knocked you down, but it didn’t take away your strength. It didn’t steal your potential. And it sure as hell didn’t write the rest of your story.

2025 can be your year—not because everything will magically fall into place, but because you have the power to make it so.

Start small. Choose one thing—just one—that you can focus on this week. Maybe it’s journaling for five minutes a day, or taking a walk in the fresh air, or calling a friend you’ve been meaning to reconnect with. These tiny, seemingly insignificant steps are the ones that create momentum.

And please, be gentle with yourself. Growth isn’t linear, and healing isn’t something you check off a to-do list. Celebrate the small wins, even if it’s just getting out of bed when you don’t feel like it.

You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be, learning the lessons that will shape the incredible future you’re creating.

This year, let’s focus on progress, not perfection. Let’s choose consistency over intensity. Let’s remember that even on the hardest days, we are still deserving of joy, love, and the life we dream of.

You are not alone in this journey. I’m right here with you, cheering you on every step of the way.

With so much love and hope,
Sanne