Well it’s been about 3.5 years since my last post and since I still pay Squarespace to keep my domain it just made sense for a life update + a lot needs to be updated.
I feel like a recap of what’s happened since May 19th 2021 is needed but given it’s now December 2025 I’d like to reflect on where I’m at since then. My life was in a completely different spot since my last post in 2021 but I also still feel like the same person in a lot of ways. I’m thankful that I took time to document my experiences and am kicking myself for not doing it as much these past few years but no better time than now to get back into the things that bring me happiness.
I’d say 2025 was the year I went through the most growth in my life but it’s hard to even say that looking back at all the years in my blog since I’ve had many “most growth years” in my life because that’s what growth looked like for me in that chapter. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day that we forget about all the freakin cool shit we’ve done in our lives.
When I look back to 2015 - 2016 the growth was taking a leap to study abroad for a year and being the designer of my experience. Taking risks, coming into my sexuality, finding out more about myself, seizing the opportunity, getting out of my comfort zone, learning French, and lots of cheap wine.
Moving to 2017 was my last year in college at Boulder and all about adjustment, forward thinking of what’s my next step in life, dreaming about all the possibilities and freaking out about too many possibilities, not really knowing what I want to do, keeping my mind and options open, building on deep relationships into adulthood, beginnings of wanderlust, leaning into being OK doing things solo, and the most liberating feeling ever backpacking in Southeast Asia finding more about myself, meeting new friends, eating scorpions, having a travel crush, and then finally coming back home and having a dose of reality that I need to find a big boy job… which… success.
2018 through 2019 were the years of “young professional” and officially deciding on Denver for my new home. The Evolve year felt like more than a year because I’m still very good friends with people I met when I worked there and had some of the most fun of my life while also building on what I want for my career in sales. And then Gusto happened which is where I’m still at today (thanks Marissa). Dated a guy during this time which was my first taste into a “relationship” and although it was short-lived I learned a lot about myself. These years were a lot of balance, I’m adjusting to post-college life + real work life, living on my own (like really), going into the office every day, building on my career and still not really knowing what I’m doing but it seems to be working so I’ll keep doing it, making a ton of new friends while also losing a lot of friends, people moving on after college, building a new foundation in Denver, and establishing my brand which is always a work in progress.
Boom 2020 the year everything went to shit with COVID. It was tough don’t get me wrong, but it was also a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to develop a deeper relationship with Meaghan and her family + my family. It was a weird year for most of the time and I spent a lot of it back in CA but when I did come back to CO I ended up in a relationship which lasted 4.5 years. There were a lot of positives and a lot more lessons I’m taking into my new relationship and with myself through the next chapters.
2021 through 2025 has a lot to recap - I went to Australia + NZ, bought a townhome, did a lot more travel in between as well. But 2025 has had a lot of growth and realizations for me. I started therapy, revitalized my sense of self and autonomy, put myself first, started asking for what I need, learned a lot about friendships and relationships, the importance of family, enjoying my own company, not waiting around for anyone and just doing what I want to do because it makes sense for me. As I’m getting older people are having kids, getting married, moving locations and it can feel like the world is just moving around me but knowing that I’m in control of what I want to happen makes it slow down a bit. I’m now 30 and a lot has changed but writing this out makes me realize a lot will change next year, and the year after that, and I need change. I learned that you can’t change people, situations, or make something out of a situation that just isn’t working. To trust your gut, communicate clearly and authentically, ask for what you need, and do what you want! I’m entering 2026 with so much more clarity and I feel so full of the amazing people I have in my life to experience it with me + encouraging new friends to continue writing my next chapters!
Since it is NYE, I wanted to share a couple of my goals for the next year. I’m doing a vision board with some friends next week and don’t like new year’s resolutions so I’m approaching it from a goal and vision for the next year.
Practice learning Spanish! We’re going to Spain + France in the summer to visit Amanda after her study abroad so I want to brush up and think it will be more useful than my French (which is also rusty).
Continue preparing to make my property a rental. It’s my long term goal to have my townhome as a rental so keep doing what I’m doing throughout the year by making extra principal payments and researching property managers. If it ends up that I don’t rent it in 2026 that’s OK - the goal is to just be prepared!
Continue dating and meeting new people. It can be hard to put yourself out there and dating is very different in your 30s but also nice in the same way. People including myself know what they want, I have more financial stability, and a great community of family and friends. I’m excited to see who I can bring into my life and what I can continue to learn about myself as I date.
Be patient. I have a little fortune cookie saying on my fridge that says “Any impatience you show will only create more stress” and I’ve never resonated so much with a fortune cookie. Sometimes I like to move fast and it’s important to slow down at times.
Prioritize my health. I’ve finally gotten back to my goal weight so now focus on maintaining, building muscle, nourishing my body, continue doing yoga, and trying new workout classes + studios to switch it up.
Now let’s do some 2025 highlights in photos:
Starting off the highlight reel with one of my earliest pictures of 2025 - of course I was snowboarding!
Meaghan, Garrett, and I in Crested Butte
Marissa’s 30th Birthday in Breck!
Empire of the Sun at Red Rocks with my pals
Did some home improvement projects including painting my office - special help from Meaghan!
Surprised my mom for Mother’s Day!
“Dude Soup” with my ZBT boys for Adler’s bachelor party! Boys gone mild!
My 30th birthday celebration in San Diego with my best pals!
Summer wine nights with my witches!
Telluride trip with my Laurens
Telluride continued…. you know what they say… a Veuve a day keeps the doctor away!
My dad came to visit - thanks for all the home improvement help!
My dis-Gusties Dee & Katie!
Marissa's Bach in Chicago!
The summer vibes in Chicago are immaculate
BELIZE!!!!! Ricky’s Rum Retreat (aka Erica’s 30th birthday celebration)!
In my happy place
My mom and Uncle Pete came to visit me in Colorado! Got to show him how we do it at 5280!
Hosted my first big Halloween party all by myself - well Meaghan helped a lot! Note to self - skeletons are hard to keep in storage!
Grandpa, Uncle Pete, and Mom during Thanksgiving
Went on a work trip to NYC and was able to see Auntie Eye while we were there. Mom was my stowaway!
Views from the Gusto office in NYC
Meaghan and I did our annual ULLR trip. This was year 4!
SoCal Christmas
Amanda and I rockin our Flamingo shades
Siena and I have fireside chats
Met up with Josh and Marisa while I was in SoCal!
My last California beach hang of 2025!
I thought this was fitting for one of the last photos…
After going through all of those photos it made it even more clear to me of how 2025 was full of such great people in my life. I feel so fortunate to have rekindled friendships, build stronger bonds with my family and friends, and made a ton of new friends! I think the biggest highlight was that I finally had space to get to know myself more and I’m so excited for what’s next. 2025 had a couple of curve balls but I’d say it’s still one of my most eventful and “growth” years. 2026 please be good to me… I promise I’ll be good to you! Cheers and until next time!!!
Here a couple of songs + music videos that have been on repeat for my 2025.