Whew, 2024 was a wild ride! I kicked off the year with a big, bold speaking goal. I envisioned myself on countless stages, leading workshops, inspiring people through mentoring, and sharing my message far and wide. And for a good part of the year, I was there—showing up, delivering, and connecting.
But here’s the truth: I totally missed the mark on that goal.
AND… I hit burnout.
Yup, oops, I did it again (cue Britney Spears: “Oh baby, baby”).
I’m sharing this because I think it’s important to normalize the messy parts of ambition, especially for those of us who tend to push through and hit the same walls repeatedly. Right now, I’m still in recovery mode—reflecting, processing, and, honestly, hibernating. I’m sorting through what worked, what didn’t feel aligned, and making some hard decisions. I’m saying tough “no’s” to make room for the "Holy Hell YESes."
Burnout: The Familiar Trap
Let’s get real: burnout has become too familiar for me. And, honestly, that’s the scariest part. I know burnout so well that it’s like a weird comfort zone—because I know how to claw my way out of it.
But here’s the thing:
Burnout is a time thief.
It drains energy.
It stifles creativity.
And it leaves no room for expansion or innovation.
For me, burnout has become a cycle I know how to navigate, which makes it easier to fall back into. It’s like, “Oh, you’re burnt out? No big deal—you’ve been here before; you’ll pull through.” But here’s the hard truth: just because I can doesn’t mean I should.
This realization hit me like a ton of bricks in 2024. By summer, I was completely drained, frustrated, and questioning how I let myself end up here again. But that frustration also brought clarity:
Burnout might feel familiar, but it’s not where my best work happens.
Remembering What Thriving Feels Like
I’ve been here before, but I’ve also experienced the opposite.
Take the Front Porch Project, for example. It was one of the most ambitious and rewarding projects of my career. In the early days of the pandemic, I started photographing families on their front porches—a way to safely document connection during such an uncertain time. What started as a small idea exploded into something I never imagined.
Over just three months, I photographed nearly double the number of portraits I thought possible—more than I had captured in the past eight years of my career combined.
And here’s the kicker: I didn’t burn out.
I was fueled by purpose, connection, and community. I thrived because every piece of the project felt aligned with my values. The clarity I felt about my “why” carried me through the long days. The project was a powerful reminder of what it feels like to thrive in success without sacrificing my well-being or creativity.
What’s Next for 2025
As I reflect on 2024, the patterns are clear: burnout happens when I’m out of alignment—when I’m chasing goals without staying rooted in why I’m pursuing them. When I thrive, it’s because I’m clear on my purpose, focused on creating connection, and letting my creativity lead.
So, in 2025, I’m flipping the script.
This year, I’m approaching my goals differently. I’m leaning into what fuels creativity, productivity, and joy instead of pushing myself to the brink. I’m using the skills, tools, and systems I’ve built over the years to break the cycle of burnout.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
Speaking and Workshops: I’m refining my focus to help individuals and teams not just reach their goals but thrive in the process.
Creative Cultivation: Expanding my Thriv tools and resources to help others align their big-picture visions with actionable steps.
Authentic Connection: Sharing more of my process, reflections, and tools through my writing (hello, Substack!) to inspire others to embrace clarity, resilience, and sustainable success.
The Big Picture and the How
I’ve always been a big-picture thinker. I can see my vision, clear as day—but mapping out the “how” has always been my struggle. That’s why 2025 isn’t about chasing goals for the sake of accomplishment. It’s about staying aligned with my purpose and creating something meaningful.
Follow along as I unpack this process, share my tools, and document the steps I’m taking to create a sustainable, joy-filled path forward.
And hey, if you’re ready to empower your team or community to step into their own success—without burnout—let’s work together. Whether it’s a workshop, a speaking engagement, or a collaboration, I’m here to help you build something beautiful.
✨ Clarity.
✨ Resilience.
✨ Sustainable success.
🎥 P.S. My speaker reel is LIVE—check it out!
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