Cutting Ties, Catching Feels, and Letting the Universe Do Its Thing

Guess who's back, back again? That’s right, it’s me, popping in to give y’all the tea on what I’ve been up to lately. If you follow me on Instagram (and honestly, why wouldn’t you?), you’re probably already in the loop—but let’s break it down for the rest of the class.

First off, the podcast? Yeah, it’s done. I called it quits. Not because I didn’t love hearing myself talk (because let’s be real, I do), but because I didn’t have the time to create content that actually hit. Don’t cry, though—you can still stream all the episodes I dropped so far on your favorite apps.

Now, for the big news: I launched a brand-new baby called The Cozy Hood! Think journals, bookish goodies like book sleeves and Kindle covers, journaling stickers, and maybe even some T-shirts, hoodies, and mugs down the road. It’s basically the snuggly little sister to my OG small biz, Bricolage by S. So yeah, I’m out here expanding my empire, one cozy vibe at a time. Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning. ✨

So, here’s the deal: I crushed my 2024 reading goal with a solid 40 books under my belt (thank you, thank you). For 2025, I’m leveling up with a goal of 50 books—because why not?

I just finished my first read of the year: The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy. It’s basically the sequel to her hit The Deal. This one’s all about Gigi Graham (aka the daughter of Hannah and Garrett from The Deal) and Luke Ryder, and let’s just say the drama did not disappoint. But don’t worry, I’ll spill all the juicy details in a full review on the blog soon.

In 2024, I hit the “unfriend” button on several relationships—and honestly? No regrets. They didn’t deserve my time or energy, and I’m completely at peace with it. Sometimes, holding on hurts way more than letting go.

Speaking of love and letting go, it reminds me of something I wrote years ago about the three different types of love. It went a little something like this:

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You never stop loving someone, you know...

You just find someone whom you love more than the last person.

You confuse hate with love and love with hate. you know...

Because as they say there's a thin line between love and hate.

You get three chances or types of love in your life, you know...

One, your first love, when you get older you may look back and think it wasn't love but the

truth is, it was. It was love for what you believed love to be.

Two, the one that teaches you lessons you'll remember for the rest of your life. This teaches us the difference in what we know we want and what we actually crave for. It's the hard one. It tells you what you love about love and what you hate about it.

And three, it comes in at an unexpected time, you might not expect or want it at the moment.

It doesn't know the door of your heart, it breaks down all walls you have build around that fragile heart. This type of love doesn't give you butterflies, it gives you a sense that you have achieved solace.

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It’s so true, isn’t it? Painful yet beautifully real. There are moments when giving up on love feels like the easiest option. But then I remember that scene from How I Met Your Mother—when Ted Mosby was ready to throw in the towel, and Robin reminded him: “You’re Ted Mosby. You start believing again.” Iconic, right? And honestly, that’s exactly what you do—you start believing again.

How do you know you’re back on that love-believing train? Well, did you eat 12 grapes at midnight on NYE? Do you catch yourself smiling at couples instead of rolling your eyes? Do you watch a rom-com and find yourself sighing like a lovesick teenager? Yep, those are the telltale signs. Welcome back to the land of hope and dreaminess. ❤️

It’s not everything, but it’s a start—and honestly, not a bad one. I hate to be that person, but things will start falling into place when the time is right, not when you want them to. Or as Robin so eloquently put it: “Timing is a bitch.” And she wasn’t wrong.

Happy New Year!!!!

Love, Sana