Thats a wrap!
I haven’t done a monthly recap since I got back from my honeymoon in May, and that is an excellent example of how this year has felt.
I am over-extended.
When I sit down and list my priorities, I have come to accept that I cannot go into 2025 being overextended. I mean, technically, I could, but that would be me repeating the same cycle of the last three years, and if my Saturn returns has taught me anything, it is that it’s not enough just to recognize the pattern; I have to change my behaviors regardless of how uncomfortable it feels. With this newly earned wisdom, I’m taking Q1 off. This is my first time taking an intentional creative sabbatical since starting my online blogging and writing presence in 2013.
Starting the year on a creative and social sabbatical has been something I’ve explored in other years but never fully committed to because I was operating from a scarcity mindset that if I weren’t posting or engaging with my community, I would get left behind or that my numbers would plummet - and honestly, it feels really good to recognize that I don’t have to operate from the mindset. I trust that the community I’ve built will be around when I come out of my sabbatical, and I’m sure I’ll have more to offer once I have some time to rest.
But before I step away, I wanted to highlight some of the lessons learned, products that I keep rebuying, meals that have kept me from withering away (that may sound dramatic, but babayyyy the way writing a dissertation will have you forgetting to eat), and some truths I’m sitting with.
2024 FAVORITES
FOOD
I aimed to eat food that made me feel my best with my cycle in mind. So, nothing particularly new or a significant departure from how I was eating last year, but this year, I really leaned into eating a lot of gluten-free meals. I also kept my time in the kitchen as simple as possible. I was eating the same thing over and over and over again because repeating meals cut out a lot of the guesswork for cooking. A lot of my brain power was going to a lot of other things this year, and believe it or not, developing recipes and feeding yourself, especially when you are a food content creator, requires a lot of creative capacity or creative brain space, I really struggled with that this year. Most of my favorite recipes from this year can be found in my latest recipe guide, but to give you a little rundown, here are some things I frequently returned to throughout the calendar year.
MEALS
salmon cakes
salads
chili
fish tacos
oats
SNACKS
seaweed chips
anything citrusy
toast
coconut yogurt and granola
HEALTH/WELLNESS
My main wellness goal for the year was stress management, and my secondary focus was on sleep and improving my hormonal balance.
Chronic stress is really bad for you, and unfortunately, I have a highly stressful job, and I wear a lot of hats. Because of that, it’s easy for me to overburden my nervous system to experience periods of chronic stress. The first thing I did to focus on stress management was to get serious about my priorities. I think when you wear a lot of hats, it’s easy for you to feel like everything is urgent. This year, I spent a lot of time focusing on what was actually a priority for me and what was getting me closer to fulfilling my life’s work, not necessarily hyper fixating on achieving accolades or items off a to-do list.
My most consistent stress management habit has been my walking practice. What I appreciate most about my walking practice is that it pushes me to slow down. You cannot rush when you’re walking, and as someone who has struggled with feeling like they’re always in a rush, it’s nice to have a moment to slow down and connect with my body intentionally. Walking has literally saved my life, and I attribute it to my positive lab test and physical reports, especially my blood pressure. So, if you’re looking to improve your stress levels, you should buy a new pair of walking shoes and start your daily walking practice.
This year, I also built up my hormonal health toolkit, and I have felt my PMDD symptoms drastically improve. If you’re looking to improve your hormonal health, here are a few of my most recommended products:
minerals and chill hydration and magnesium supplement
use code BREANNA10 for $$ off
elix cycle balance and ginger aide (digestive support) liquid supplements
use code 15BREANNAB for $$ off
use code BREANNA10 for $$ off
BEAUTY
I know a lot of the gurls are considering ‘No Buys’ for 2025, but I was already on that wave in 2024 - especially after my bridal era wrapped. This year, I didn’t buy any ‘new to me’ products; instead, I built my makeup kit. However, I did add a few new favorites to my skincare routine and repurchased when I ran out. One of my driving motivations for the 2025 calendar year is to learn how to have less shit in my house and get comfortable with letting go of things I don’t need but hold on to as a poverty response. I think the overconsumption of beauty and skincare products is a lot easier to address when you engage with less branded video content, and I have noticed an improvement in my consumption habits now that I have limited my scrolling time and what I engage with.
As someone who used to be a product junky, it feels very refreshing to be in a space where I have built my ideal low-maintenance skincare and makeup routine. Here are the only products I’m allowed to buy in 2025.
Skincare
glow recipe avocado ceramide moisture barrier cleanser
tower 28 SOS spray
glow recipe watermelon glow pha + bha toner
paulas choice liquid exfoliant
youth to the people superfood skin drip
youth to the people superberry hydrate + glow dream mask
fenty skin cookies and clean mask
dieux lipid rich barrier repair cream
paulas choice daily hydrating SPF 50
cay skin lip mask
shop any of these products here
Make-up
danessa myricks blurring balm powder
danessa myricks yummy skin glow
nars radiant creamy concealer
make up for ever blurring foundation and setting powder
fenty beauty contour stick
huda beauty loose baking powder
rare beauty blush
melt blushlight
one size setting spray
*honorable mentions*
nars soft matte foundation
fenty beauty skin tint
shop any of these products here
WHAT I MADE
I’m in an odd and, at times, uncomfortable transition period, and that is most certainly reflected in my offerings over the last 18 months. Despite everything going on *waves hands sporadically* I still managed to release some cool things this calendar year, and I’m proud of that. One of the driving forces behind my offerings is my desire to educate and share information in an engaging and relatable way. I created my Cycle Health Guide for people interested in improving their hormonal health but felt overwhelmed with where to start making changes. More details on the Cycle Health Guide here.
This year, I also released my first collection of recipes since 2018. While it wasn’t the offering I envisioned, I’m glad I could get the offering out of my notes app. As a creative, producing offerings with limited resources can be challenging. Like many other Black women creators, I’ve experienced a significant loss in resources over the last 18 months, and it has unfortunately impacted what I’m able to offer to my community and at what frequency. It’s something that I used to lose sleep over, but I’m at a space now where I know that the work I do and the offerings I share will reach who they need to reach exactly when it needs to happen.
I’m looking forward to the day when I can work with brands or agencies that see the value in the work that I do and the community that I’ve cultivated online over the last 12 years. I’ve been a one woman team for a longgg time. I’m excited about building meaningful partnerships and relationships in this new season that support me in producing and releasing all the offerings I have in mind.
LESSONS LEARNED
whew, chile this year was a lot, but if I could sum up the wisdom I’ve gained, it would be these three points:
no job or career is worth sacrificing or compromising your life’s purpose.
dry seasons produce life-changing fruit - stay open and flexible while growing in uncomfortable conditions.
you get to decide. nothing is more impactful than how you utilize your power of decision-making. the choice to choose is a gift.
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2025 calendar year.
With love,
Breanna