2025: Learning to Protect My Peace: A Year of Self-Preservation & Self-Acceptance

It's incredible how quickly 2025 has passed. I intended to begin writing this blog post in early December, bit by bit but here I am in California on December 26th, just starting this journal blog post entry. My travel schedule and procrastination have gotten the better of me, and this is a habit I plan to leave behind in 2025.

First things first—this is a self-reflection journal that I’d like to share with you. I’m calling this year “Learning to Protect My Peace: A Year of Self-Preservation and Self-Acceptance.”

I’ve realized that we are the only ones truly responsible for the life we want to lead. Every day, we make choices—good, bad, or neutral—that shape our perspective and experiences. People come from different backgrounds, countries, and have varying access to resources, and I recognize that these factors impact how we live our lives.

No matter our circumstances, we have the power to shape the outcomes of our lives. Success may look different for each of us, but it is always rooted in consistent effort, commitment, and dedication. When you put in the work, results will follow.

The Year I Shifted to Self-Preservation

Let’s start with self-preservation.

Self-preservation is the instinct—or conscious practice—of protecting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It means setting boundaries, conserving energy, prioritizing safety, and making choices that support long-term balance and health, especially in situations that cause stress, harm, or depletion.

At its core, self-preservation is about recognizing your limits and honoring your needs so you can continue to show up fully—for yourself and for others.

This year, I found myself in situations that quietly drained my energy and affected my emotional well-being, despite always seeing myself as someone with strong mental fortitude. Throughout 2025, I kept asking myself the same questions:

Why am I reacting this way? Why do I keep putting myself in situations I know aren’t right for me?

I reminded myself that I am in control of my choices. I know my self-worth—yet somehow, I kept accepting less and tolerating more than I should have.

Then, sometime in August or September, I walked into a room and everything shifted. I had a moment of clarity and asked myself:

Do you know who you are and how far you’ve come? Only you know what it took to get here.

And just like that, it clicked.

I realized I could no longer compromise on my standards. We do this more often than we realize—convincing ourselves something is temporary—until one day we wake up and recognize that we’ve been settling.

So I chose myself.

I decided I would no longer make space for what diminishes me or shrink my standards to fit what feels familiar. I will no longer tolerate being treated as less than—especially when I’ve learned how to treat myself with care, respect, and intention.

That chapter ends here.

The Health & Longevity Journey

This year, I took my health more seriously than ever—not just through working out, which, by the way, is a lifestyle choice, not a short-term goal. True wellness goes far beyond looking good on the outside—clothes, handbags, and jewelry. It’s about taking care of yourself from the inside out. When you show up whole, you radiate a kind of glow that no outfit can replace.

To support this journey, I hired a health coach—and it’s been a game changer. I’ve learned so much these past four months, from understanding my blood work and hormone levels to taking clear, actionable steps to optimize my health. I’ll be doing more testing in early January, and while I’m a little nervous about the results, I know accountability matters. When something feels off, it’s your responsibility to act—right away—instead of delaying or avoiding it.

Alcohol: I travel often and live a very social life, where alcohol can easily become the social glue. This year, I took a five-month break—from February to June—and experienced peak wellness: mental clarity, deeper sleep, cleaner eating, and an overall sense of vitality. Summer travel in the South of France made moderation more challenging (sun, wine, cocktails), but it reinforced an important lesson: limiting alcohol helps me stay productive, grounded, and fully present in the moments that truly matter.

Sleep: Sleep has become non-negotiable. Eight hours is my baseline to function at my best. During the week, I prioritize a consistent bedtime whenever possible, knowing that travel will sometimes disrupt my routine—but rest remains a priority, not an afterthought.

Skin & External Appearance Your face is your canvas, and it deserves care. Healthy habits—good nutrition, quality sleep, and moderation—naturally show up in your skin. A solid, medical-grade skincare routine also matters. It doesn’t need to be complicated; finding a knowledgeable doctor who understands your skin type and tone makes all the difference.

I’ve also learned that laser treatments, when done thoughtfully and with the right professional, can be a powerful tool for maintaining skin health and longevity. Lasers can help with texture, pigmentation, and overall skin quality—but they should always be approached with intention, not trends. This is about long-term care and confidence, not vanity.

Social Media Madness: The Illusion We’re All Scrolling Through

I’ll start with this: I’m not exempt from this conversation—I’m part of the problem.

My posts are curated. They show beautiful locations, glamorous events, dining out, fashion—moments of la dolce vita. What you don’t see is everything outside the frame. And that’s exactly the point.

I want you—especially the younger women who follow me—to really understand this: social media is not real life. The posts that gets amplified are the polished, staged, aspirational moments. They make life look effortless and glamorous, but that’s far from the everyday reality most people are actually living. What you see online is carefully curated, and comparing yourself to it only steals your joy and distorts your sense of what’s normal.

I’m a career woman, and I like to think I have a solid understanding of how money works and how it’s earned. The endless luxury lifestyle you see promoted on social media is not the average experience for most people. Even wealthy individuals rarely live the way it appears online—they focus on using their money to grow their wealth, not on spending it on material goods that offer no real return.

Of course, this is a general statement, but the point is that most people who are financially savvy prioritize smart money choices over flashy consumption. What’s presented as “normal” on social media is often highly curated, edited, sponsored, or selectively shared. It creates a distorted sense of reality—one that can quietly make people feel behind, inadequate, or like they’re not doing enough.

And that’s the real danger.

So here’s my note to you: Your biggest flex should be investing in yourself—not consuming content that makes you question your worth or feel unhappy. Invest in your health, your education, your growth, and your peace. That kind of return compounds over time—and it doesn’t need validation, filters, or likes.

The Year of Self-Acceptance

This year has been about fully accepting who I am.

I am who I am because of my life experiences and the people who have influenced me along the way—especially those I deeply respect. One of my biggest realizations has been how essential it is to have a strong moral compass. in the world of distractions, Staying grounded in my values, without wavering, has become a top priority.

I’ve also learned that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s perfectly okay. I am direct, logical, and intentional in how I show up. Rather than soften or dilute those qualities, I’ve chosen to embrace them.

I’ve made peace with the fact that not everything unfolds as planned. That, too, is part of life. What matters is recognizing the many things I’ve achieved and allowing myself to be deeply proud of them.

Self-acceptance isn’t about seeking approval. It’s about honoring who you are at your core and owning it with confidence.

In Closing

Looking back on 2025, I see a year of growth, lessons, and bold choices. I’ve learned the power of protecting my energy, prioritizing my health, and staying true to myself—no matter the noise around me. I’ve embraced my strengths, honored my limits, and focused on what truly matters: my peace, my growth, and my happiness.

I’ve also learned to lean into uncertainty and hard work. Chaos isn’t the enemy—it’s where resilience is built and character is forged. Nothing worth achieving comes easily. If you want change—especially financial or personal growth—you have to put in the effort. You have to show up, work hard, and keep going, even when it’s uncomfortable.

As we step into the new year, here’s my challenge for you—and for myself: protect your peace, invest in yourself relentlessly, and refuse to settle for anything less than the life you deserve. You have the power, the strength, and the drive—now go build it.

With Love

Sarah