What 2025 Taught Me About Healing, Grace, and Letting Go

If anyone can relate, I truly believe this year has been one of the most challenging years of my life — and that’s saying a lot, especially given everything we went through during COVID.

To put things into perspective, I didn’t experience the same kinds of losses I did back then. I didn’t lose my job. I didn’t go through a breakup. I didn’t lose a dog. And yet somehow, the challenges I faced this year — at least on paper — don’t seem like much. But personally, they were deeply traumatic and life-altering in ways that are hard to explain.

I won’t go into every detail, but I thought that by sharing my top five lessons learned this year, you might feel a little more prepared for the year ahead — and whatever challenges life brings your way. I truly believe that challenges can either make us better or make us bitter. Life is inevitably going to bring us hardship, so we might as well choose to use those moments to our advantage, even when it feels impossible.

Here are my top five lessons I’ve learned this year. Some of these are repeat lessons — ones I’ve clearly needed to be reminded of again and again. They’re short and sweet, but incredibly impactful, and they’re lessons I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. You are solely responsible for your healing.

Not your partner. Not your dog. Not even your therapist. Yes, others can support you, guide you, and comfort you — but they cannot do the work for you. Healing is an inside job, and no one can walk that path for you.

2. You cannot control others or make them see things the way you do.

Trust me — the more you try, the more you will suffer. Even when your intentions are pure and you know your way is healthier or better, forcing understanding only creates resistance. This is easier said than done, but letting go brings far more peace than you’d expect.

3. Give people grace.

You have absolutely no idea what someone else is going through. I truly believe every human being deserves the benefit of the doubt. Compassion costs nothing, and it can change everything.

4. Life is short and precious.

In my opinion, it’s not worth holding grudges, giving ultimatums, or cutting people off simply because they disagree with you. Yes — there is a time and place to remove people from your life. But I’ve seen relationships fall apart this year — friendships and family connections — and it honestly breaks my heart. We are all doing the best we can with what we know.

5. People are going to judge you no matter what.

People are also not going to support you no matter what.

So you might as well choose the path that feels true to you — the one that lights your soul on fire and brings you peace. Living for approval will only keep you stuck.

Bonus Lesson!

To lighten things up a bit — don’t start watching Peaky Blinders unless you’re fully prepared for an emotional gangster rollercoaster. I know I’m very late to the game, but while it’s absolutely worth the binge… consider this your warning.

My hope is that you take these lessons with you into the new year and truly honor yourself — your health, your heart, and your healing. My purpose here is to help you become the healthiest, most aligned version of yourself, and I hope I can continue bringing value to your life through this year and the next.

Love you all. Take care.

MM