In 2023, I experienced an incredible transformation, marking it as one of the best and most fulfilling years of my life. I made a significant decision to step away from consulting and the frantic pace I’d been maintaining for years. You might wonder, “WTF, Brittany? Weren’t you all about achieving goals and pushing for more?” Truth be told, I was. I hustled hard, juggling a full-time job, nurturing a consulting business (which had two clients at its peak in 2022), and consistently creating content for my blog and social platforms. But amidst this whirlwind, I placed immense pressure on myself. I convinced myself that releasing at least one blog post monthly was vital to avoid being a failure as a blogger. I feared that abandoning my consulting business would label me as someone who had given up on entrepreneurship. Yes, the consultancy was lucrative, but it came at a steep cost—I sacrificed my mental and physical well-being. There was no time for self-care or relaxation; every moment was dedicated to tasks or work obligations. It wasn’t sustainable. I realized I needed to realign with my desires/goals, especially within this pivotal time of my life—my twenties.
I’ve come to realize the value of the present moment, especially when most of my friends are currently in a phase of enjoyment and camaraderie. This period is uniquely precious as I foresee many of them settling down in their mid-to-late 30s, which might naturally limit the time we spend together. I refuse to let these cherished moments slip away simply because I’m tethered to my computer by my own damn ego.
Certainly, I’m not implying that I’m not eager to propel TrulyBlazey.com forward—I absolutely am! However, the approach I’m adopting involves a more measured pace, devoid of unnecessary pressure. This year, I’ve strategically prioritized content monetization to offset the income gap resulting from stepping back from consulting. Introducing my latest venture for 2024—@BlazeyBuys—an exciting affiliate marketing channel and project that I’m enthusiastically diving into! 😉
In 2023, I found more balance and alignment. The craziness of 2022 seriously messed with my health, so I knew I had some serious changes to make. I went from my heaviest weight ever to dropping 12 pounds and crushing my first half-marathon at a pace of 9:45 per mile. It felt awesome to get back on track and feel much healthier!
This year I FINALLY got some answers regarding my health and symptoms I had been having for 4+ years. It took a ton of tests, referrals, and visits to specialists in Connecticut, but come November, I was handed the diagnosis: Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPR) and Chronic Rhinitis. Since then, I’ve hopped onto a treatment plan with meds and supplements, and it’s been a real game-changer. But here’s the kicker—I had to part ways with coffee AKA my “go-go juice.” I’ve been drinking coffee since the 6th grade and don’t know life without it. The kicker? I can’t have caffeine in my life for at least a year+ as I tackle this treatment. The withdrawal? Let’s just say it hit me like a ton of bricks, but I’m committed to winning this battle, no doubt about it!
Turns out, it’s not just coffee stirring up trouble—pastries, chocolate, tomatoes, beans, onions, garlic, spicy foods, you name it—all seem to aggravate my LPR. That’s where the Low FODMAP diet swoops in as my superhero, helping me manage my uncomfortable symptoms. And yes, there will be a shift in Truly Blazey’s recipes in 2023—we’re leaning more towards cooking within this diet. Change is in the air, but hey, it’s making a world of difference in how I’m feeling!
2023 was my crash course in friendship 2.0. In 2022 I was dealing with a lot of heavy shit and was more self-focused and insular than I realized. I thought that I was doing a good job because I was visiting so much despite everything going on in life. Well, my friend saw it differently and called me out on the whole deal. But get this—she did it with the kindness of a saint and her feedback was definitely a wake-up call. And you know what? Taking her advice has been a game-changer! I applied the feedback and have attracted so much more happiness and abundance into my life as a result. I’m slowly but surely becoming a better listener, observer, and question-asker. It’s like a whole new world’s unfolded before me. It has been eye-opening on a lot of levels. I’m very grateful to have this person in my life because her feedback has truly changed me for the better.
Let’s talk about my travel game in 2023—it’s been off the charts! Ever since I bought my very first brand-new car in March, I’ve been racking up the miles like nobody’s business, hitting a whopping 11,000-plus. I’ve practically left tire marks everywhere from Boston to Island Pond, Stamford, and Lake George. And that’s not even counting the road trip to Bar Harbor, White Face Mountain, and Montreal because we took my boyfriend’s car. But, that’s not all! I also took to the skies—first stop, Seattle, WA, to visit my friends. Then off to Jacksonville, FL, to celebrate my boyfriend’s 30th birthday with his friends and family. Seriously, in just one year, I’ve become a pro at covering ground, whether by road or air!
This year brought a whole new adventure for me as the Listing & Marketing Manager at Sarah Harrington Real Estate. Dive into the deep end, they said! I dived right in, learning the ropes of more than 11 unfamiliar systems and platforms at lightning speed. I hustled to churn out a steady flow of marketing content and even whipped up a slick, custom website for our team that’s caught the eyes of Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman higher-ups—they’re calling it the gold standard! I’ve been playing the digital marketing game like a maestro, growing our following across platforms and pulling off a bunch of other incredible feats for the team (though, shhh, I can’t spill all the beans on Truly Blazey). But let me tell you, stepping into this new role? I’m over the moon about what I’ve accomplished and super stoked that the hard work’s paying off in all sorts of ways. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m just getting started!
2024 will be my year for injecting some serious fun into my life, and that includes my work too! Blogging used to be my ultimate joy, but lately, it felt more like a nine-to-five stress fest than the creative outlet I fell in love with. I needed to rekindle that passion—to miss the thrill of writing and creating again! But, how could I even miss it when I barely had a moment to catch my breath? The silver lining came when my consulting business came to an end. Suddenly, I had the breathing space I craved, a chance to unwind, and, actually yearn for that work I’m so passionate about! This newfound freedom also meant I could finally put my health first after years of neglect. Just like in 2023, 2024 is all about prioritizing my mental and physical well-being. I’ve set my sights on conquering another half-marathon this year, aiming for a pace between 8:00-9:00 per mile. It’s all about striking that balance between chasing my passions and keeping myself in tip-top shape!
Thank you so much for your support in 2023! I hope that you have a wonderful New Year filled with happiness, rest, creativity, and adventure in 2024. I’ll see you on the flip side–stronger and better than ever before! ❤️
