Reflections and Revelations: Life Lessons from a Pivotal Year 2023

Greetings clean living lovers!

This time of year always brings with it traditions, festivities, love, laughter, gratitude, gifts, delicious food, perhaps a few overindulgences, and for me, a few moments for reflection. I usually publish my list of reflections and this one could be my most pivotal yet. So much has changed for me this past year, in fact, I think I have finally grown up, or maybe a better way to say it is come into my own.

After 3 years of running my husband's financial firm, I decided to forge a different path after an unfortunate (or fortunate, depending on how you look at it) laundry detergent incident. It is ever-interesting the directions the universe takes you & for maybe the first time in my life I followed without questioning, the swift wind at my back, & haven't turned around to question the wake. Here's to sitting still in the present, allowing reflections to fuel the future.

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy typing them & maybe one or two will spark a reflection of your own.

• You will know when you have found your perfect job. It may involve hard work and ups and downs just like any job, but you will know deep in your soul it's the right one.
• Your biggest fans can come in the form of a long-time dear friend, to someone you just barely met. Don't underestimate anyone's ability to cheer you on & drive your success.
• People don't change, they just don't, so if you are hoping someone will change either stop hoping or move on.
• Progress over perfect.
• Pursuing a passion never feels like work.
• Kindness in the smallest of ways is magnified in the eye of the beholder more than you may ever imagine.
• Wisdom really does come with age and it is a glorious thing to share.
• Each year brings a greater sense of being, assuredness, gratitude, and love. Charge ahead calmly & boldly.

May 2024 bring more lessons, opportunities, love, laughter, and adventure.

Live free,

Dana

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know when you have found the right career path?

You feel it deeply — it may involve hard work and challenges, but there is an undeniable sense of rightness. The work feels purposeful rather than draining, even on difficult days.

How can reflecting on the past year help you grow?

Taking time at year-end to examine what served you and what did not creates clarity and intention for the year ahead. Honest reflection — rather than resolution-setting — tends to lead to more authentic, sustainable growth.

Is clean living compatible with a busy lifestyle?

Absolutely. Small, consistent choices — like choosing EWG-verified products or swapping out one toxic item at a time — build into a clean lifestyle without requiring a complete overhaul of your daily routine.

What role do personal values play in building a business?

Personal values provide the compass when decisions get hard. For Dana, a belief in helping families avoid harmful chemicals became the non-negotiable foundation that shaped every product decision, partnership, and pivot at Free Living Co.

What does it mean to follow your path without questioning it?

It means trusting the direction life is pointing you — even without full certainty — rather than pausing indefinitely to analyze every angle. Some of the most transformative pivots happen when we move with momentum rather than against it.