This year, I turned 40—and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.

Forty. It feels surreal to even write it. I keep thinking, How did I get here already? Most days, I still feel like that spunky, carefree 18-year-old figuring it all out. Well, maybe not carefree—because let’s be real, I’ve never really been that. I’ve always been the girl with a plan, the one thinking three steps ahead, organizing life even before it happened. In many ways, I see that same spirit in my oldest daughter, Sophia. She’s focused, driven, and always reaching forward. I often catch myself encouraging her to loosen the reins a little—something I’m only now learning to do myself.

This milestone birthday has stirred up a quiet promise in me: to become the best version of me. Not a perfect version, not the most impressive one. Not the most “together.” Just the truest, most authentic. That begins with learning to fully love who I am — and to finally offer myself the same grace I so freely give to others.

If you know me, you know I’m someone who shows compassion easily. I cheer others on, forgive quickly, and see the good even in mistakes. But when it comes to myself? I’ve always held on too tightly to missteps, holding on to guilt; replaying the moments I wish I could rewrite. I’ve always been my hardest critic. That’s changing. It has to. This year, I’m allowing myself the space to make mistakes. To let go. To stop people-pleasing. To follow my own passion—whatever that might look like in each season. To stop bending myself to fit everyone else’s expectations. To follow what lights me up—even if it looks different from day to day.

I am hoping to help my sweet Isabella with this too. I see these same patterns in my sweet Isabella. She mirrors the parts of me that once felt invisible. She is so much like me in this way. I want more for her. I want her to feel free to explore, to fall down, and to rise without shame. Helping her—and myself—do that is one of the most meaningful parts of this new chapter. It’s amazing how much I see of myself in my girls and I want so much more for my girls.

And the beautiful part? I can already feel the shift. It’s small, but it’s real. I’ve been doing a better job of giving myself some slack. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress. And that matters, that’s what counts.

As I continue to open up here, I’ll be sharing more about my journey with anxiety—something I’ve had to learn to navigate, live with, and even befriend. I’ll talk about the strategies that help me cope day to day, the lessons I’ve learned, and how I continue to grow through it. I’ll share what’s helped, what’s been hard, and what continues to shape me.

One thing that has remained constant through every phase of my life is this: I genuinely love taking care of people. I find deep joy in making others feel safe, seen, and truly valued. Knowing I’ve helped someone smile, encouraged them through a rough patch, or simply been a source of calm in their chaos—that lights me up. There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing I helped someone breathe a little easier, feel a little stronger, or smile a little brighter. I want people to feel loved and empowered in their own lives. Because when people feel loved, they thrive. And when they thrive, they’re kind. And the world could always use more kindness.

So here’s to 40. To letting go of the pressure, showing up honestly, and giving ourselves the love we deserve—learning to love ourselves a little better each day. I don’t have it all figured out—but I’m here. I’m growing.

I’m excited for what’s ahead—and I’m grateful to be walking through it, one honest moment at a time.

XOXO,
Renee Lynne