Hard truths, big lessons

When I first started this newsletter, I planned to post weekly. But let me be honest—it’s not as easy as I thought. Sure, I could write about whatever is trending, but that’s not the purpose of this space.

I started this to share my journey, in the most honest and vulnerable way, hoping it might resonate with someone out there. If just one person feels seen and less alone because of it, that’s enough for me.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to write only when I have something meaningful to say—not just to tick a box on my schedule. This means you might not hear from me every week, but I promise that every edition you receive will come from a place of truth and heart.

Life is overwhelming enough without adding unnecessary pressure, like staring at a blank page, forcing words that don’t feel genuine.

If you’ve been following my journey, you probably have a pretty good idea of how challenging 2024 was for me. It was tough in nearly every way but it was also a year of growth, self-reflection, and profound realizations.

At some point, I’ll share the moments that tested my faith in humanity—but today, I want to focus on the lessons I’ve learned.

Here’s 9 lessons 2024 taught me:

1. Trust, but with caution

My default approach when meeting new people is to trust them. I believe people are innocent until proven otherwise. But this year taught me to be more careful.

While I hate second-guessing people’s intentions, I’ve learned that trust needs to be earned, not given away freely. I’ve come to accept that not everyone is as transparent as I am. Society teaches us to wear masks and hide our true selves for fear of vulnerability. While I still believe there’s more good than bad in the world, I now understand the importance of taking time to truly know someone before placing my trust in them.

2. Your health is everything

In the hustle to build our careers or businesses, it’s easy to forget that without our health, none of it matters. Listen to your body—it speaks to you. Stress, burnout, and illness don’t come out of nowhere; they’re signals to slow down.

What’s the point of achieving “success” if it lands you in the hospital? Take care of yourself first. Everything else can wait.

3. Ask for help

There’s a myth that doing everything on your own makes you a superhero. I’ve learned firsthand that’s not true.

While I built my business alone, it wasn’t by choice—it was out of necessity. And yes, I achieved a lot, but I can’t help but wonder how much more I could have accomplished with the support of others.

You don’t have to do it all. Surround yourself with people who know more than you, and don’t be afraid to ask for their help.

4. Keep your promises

If you don’t intend to follow through, don’t make promises. This year, I faced broken promises—both in business and in personal relationships—that nearly drove me to bankruptcy.

Words matter. Commitments matter. If you can’t deliver, be honest about it. Respect the time, effort, and hope people put into what they do.

5. Know your worth

Your experiences, knowledge, and perspective have value. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Don’t settle for less just because you fear rejection. The right people will recognize your worth.

This is something I’m still learning, but I’m committed to owning my value and standing firm in it.

6. Be open to new paths

Sometimes, the journey to your goals won’t look like what you expected—and that’s okay. Life has a way of teaching us what we need, even if it’s not in the way we planned.

When I was invited to join an AI accelerator, my first thought was, “This has nothing to do with me.” But then I realized it was an opportunity to learn and grow in a new direction. Stay curious. Stay open.

7. Help others when you can

Helping doesn’t always mean giving money. It could be introducing someone to a useful contact, offering a listening ear, or sharing an extra meal.

There’s always a way to help if you truly want to.

8. Lead with kindness

Everyone is fighting battles we can’t see. Be kind, even to the people who seem angry or difficult—they might be going through something unimaginable.

Humility goes a long way. Share your experiences, help where you can, and never forget where you came from.

9. Do everything with love

From the smallest gestures to the biggest actions, approach life with love. A kind word, a smile, or a helping hand can change someone’s day—or even their life.

2024 was a year of realizations. I could have let the challenges break me, but I chose to learn and grow instead.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond. I choose growth. I choose to be better.

What about you?

Love,

M.