Flooded, Engaged, and Rebuilding:

Hi friends,

A lot has changed since my last newsletter in September. My home and car flooded, I got engaged, and I’m now in the thick of rebuilding. Life, work, health, and mental well-being have been put to the test. If you’ve been impacted by a natural disaster, you understand how humbling the experience is. Some days, you’re powered by adrenaline and a positive outlook; other days, you’re begging the universe for answers. It forces you to re-evaluate what’s truly important (hint: it’s not the material stuff—but losing it still stings!). You quickly learn how many amazing friends you have around you, and realize that grief isn’t just about losing people—it’s about mourning the life you had and having gratitude for all you still have. Grief comes in waves, and each decision you make seems to sprout six new interconnected choices. Progress? Far from linear. And let me tell you, rebuilding a life tests your relationship like nothing else.

THE TRIP THAT WAS ALREADY BOOKED

Shortly after mucking out our home, Daniel and I hopped on a plane to Europe. We had planned and paid for the trip months ago, and with no home to return to, we decided not to hit pause. We went, and it was everything we needed: peaceful, centering, joyful, and intimate—a much-needed escape. And Daniel proposed:) We stayed as present as possible despite the circumstances. Not sharing much on social in respect to others actually kept us more present than ever. It wasn’t stress-free, though, and when we got back, Hurricane Milton had struck Florida. Our seawall was down, the storage pod holding the rest of our belongings was damaged, and our home had suffered even more destruction.

FASTEST LESSONS LEARNED

My Relationship

Before leaving for Europe, I turned to Daniel, my partner of nine years, and said, “If I ever doubted us being a solid team, those doubts are gone.” We tackled the flood cleanup with efficiency, mindfulness, and grace. Daniel held me; I held him. We didn’t fight once. The experience cemented how well we work together.

Friends, Community, and Neighbors

The power of a simple text, call, or favor has never hit harder. Friends showed up to clear out our house, pick up heaps of laundry, and give us gift cards, meals, and even a care package from my gym, Union Three. Some cooked us home-cooked meals and opened their homes to us. Seeing people rally around us in such meaningful ways is a blessing I’ll never forget. My neighbors are truly amazing, I am so grateful everyday.

Material Goods

First, you realize how much shit your neighbors have oof…and even though we live “minimally,” we still had plenty to sort through. I learned some key lessons: never store paperwork or sentimental items below two feet, purging unnecessary stuff feels surprisingly great, and you learn how much handwritten letters mean when you’re drying them out on the lawn reading the smeared ink.

Life is unpredictable, but it’s also full of moments that redefine what matters most. Whether it’s solidifying your relationships, feeling the strength of your community, or finding joy in little things, the silver linings are there—even in the storm.

THINGS I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED

….from my flooded home.

Honestly, not much, you really have no desire for material items once you realize how quickly they can be taken from you. Nonetheless, these were necessary:

SOCIAL CURATION COLLABS UPDATE 🤳

New year, new opportunities! Lot’s of new collabs on the app, apply or refer a brand (and get paid for it) today!

App website | How the app works here | See my segment on BloomTV here
Schedule a demo with me here !!! Make $50* for each referred business 

Note* If you are a brand — be sure to create your 1st brand after signing up as a user. You can have more than one brand and toggle between profiles from one account.

Join my broadcast group to stay in the know about new TPA collabs:
 https://ig.me/j/AbYv0KRI8-JXXsu0/  

BRAND FEATURE: SHARK

Shark will forever have my heart. When I lost every single hair tool—my straightener, Dyson Airwrap, waver, wand, curling iron, and blow dryer—they stepped in and sent me not only an air purifier but also brand-new hair tools. I was deeply touched by their generosity and support. They even sent me an extra, which I was able to gift to someone else in need—a full-circle moment that meant so much to me. If you’re a content creator, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of partnering with brands (and teams) that genuinely value and support their creator relationships. ♡

Shop my SHARK faves.

See ya next week,
xx

Lauren Schwec