Reflecting on 2024: The Year That Grew Me
I’d be lying if I said 2024 was a walk in the park because, in reality, it was equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking — but I still wouldn’t trade the lessons I learned for anything.
As I sit here at my kitchen table, typing this very blog post and reflecting on this past year, I can honestly say this is the year that grew me. It was the kind of hard that shakes you, humbles you, and forces you to sit down and reassess almost everything.
It was my first full calendar year as a freelance website copywriter and nurse entrepreneur, which were both a dream I worked hard to build after 6 years of experiencing life-altering moral distress at the bedside — I got to redefine what it meant to be a nurse in both my traditional nursing career and business.
But while this transition came with highs I’ll cherish forever, it also came with lows that taught me what I never want to repeat and a whole lot of in-between moments that stretched me in ways I didn’t see coming (and also made me question what the heck I was doing).
So for those of you who’ve had your own season of growth in 2024 — whether in your nursing career, business, health, or personal life — this one’s for you.
From Meltdowns to Milestones: My First Year as a Website Copywriter & Nurse Entrepreneur
The Rollercoaster Adventure of Starting a Business
I never expected to experience so much pride in what I’ve created while simultaneously wanting to throw in the towel and just quit at any given moment.
But despite feeling like I fully lived up to my “sleep-deprived nurse” brand by burning the midnight oil and plenty of 0400 mornings, I didn’t quit. And now, I think I’ve actually managed to become a bit of a savvy nurse writer and business owner with sooo many hard lessons under my belt.
I worked with nearly 20 different nurse entrepreneurs over the course of the year, and I can now answer the question I’ve been asked many times over — how much do nurse writers make? Well, in my first year as a (part-time) nurse writer and website copywriter, I made juuust over $12,000.
And while I know that may not seem like a lot — especially if you’re wanting a salary that supports you and your family — for me, a nurse who still works full time and only writes on the side, I’d say that’s pretty dang good, because more importantly, I built an incredible portfolio I’m so proud of. Plus, it feels pretty freaking amazing to see those projects out in the wild (more on that later).
Of course, not every project was a win. I learned the hard way how important time management is and that saying “yes” to every project is a fast track to burnout (which is hilarious to me since I started this business to get away from burnout).
While I started the year with rates that were less than half of industry standards, I slowly raised them throughout the year as I gained more experience and worked on more projects. In hindsight, it’s no wonder I felt stretched thin trying to juggle multiple projects at once and not feeling like any of it was actually worth it.
My time was divided into tiny, energy-draining slices, my health and relationships suffered because of it, AND I was getting paid next to nothing — damn.
So after many conversations with my partner, a genuinely confused reaction from my matter-of-fact sister (“uhm, sooo WHY aren’t you charging what other people are charging?!”), and a serendipitous self-love coaching program (more on that later, too), I’m finally embracing my worth and the value I bring to the table as a nurse turned website copywriter and empathetic marketer.
The Meltdowns
I’ll probably remember 2024 most as the year with uncomfortable meltdowns — meltdowns I don’t care to relive, but I’ll write about them here because the struggle is real, and it’s in that struggle and those messy experiences that we really grow into the people we’re meant to be. I’m proud of how much I overcame this year — and you should be proud of yourself, too.
From March to April, I completed 8 client projects, and it was the first time I realized I was doing TOO much. I felt like I had absolutely buried myself in work, both in my business and full-time job. I stayed up late, woke up early, and cried a lot.
But at the same time, I was so jazzed about having real life clients that I just kept accepting more work and powered through the best I could. So by the end of April, I decided to take a break for one month. But in June, my partner and I renovated our bathrooms so a month's break quickly turned into three.
I started taking on clients again in August, but by September, my partner and I were going through it. We struggled to communicate and make time for each other. And even though we both desperately wanted to stay together, it almost felt like going separate ways would be best for both of us. During September and October, we spent a lot of time reflecting on our own, trying to figure out what exactly we wanted and needed from each other — to be quite honest, it genuinely felt like my world was falling apart right before my eyes.
At the end of October, I found myself at my favorite coffee and pastry shop in downtown Portland with a friend I met on the internet, the incredible Angie Gray, and it was in front of her (and about 30+ patrons 🤪) that I finally opened up to someone about what I was experiencing in my personal life — it was raw, unfiltered, and 100% necessary. I’m just thankful Angie held space for me when I needed it and acknowledged the weight of what I was carrying. She gave me hope that things would get better, and they did.
But while my partner and I found our way back to each other, we both got really sick and spent more time in Urgent Care in just a few weeks than we had in our previous 7 years together. We were in the thick of it together though, and when you face challenges of any kind, you realize what (and who) is worth fighting for. 💗
The hardest decision I made all year is one I’m not super proud of. I had been given an opportunity to speak at a fellow writer’s event, but after months of saying too many yes’s and not enough no’s, I knew I wasn’t in a position to offer anything of value to her students. I ended up backing out at the last minute … about two weeks before the event. 😔
I felt (and still feel) super disappointed in myself for not communicating sooner what was happening in my life and wish that I had ended my speaking engagement when there was still time to find a replacement. But I also know it was the right decision for my own well-being, no matter how disappointing it was to everyone involved.
It’s a bittersweet lesson on communicating often, honoring commitments, and protecting your energy (even when it’s uncomfortable and may let others down).
So yah, I’ll probably always look back on 2024 as the year of uncomfortable meltdowns — the kind of moments you don’t want to relive but also can’t ignore because they’re where the real growth happens. Through all the tears, sleepless nights, tough decisions, and moments of raw honesty, I found clarity about what matters most: my health, my relationships, and creating a business that doesn’t come at the expense of those things.
We’re not meant to power through endlessly. Taking breaks, asking for help, and even admitting when we’re overwhelmed aren’t weaknesses — they’re the tools we need to keep going, and to keep growing.
So if you’ve had your own meltdowns this year, I hope you’re proud of yourself for making it through — because I know, I am.
The Milestones
It wasn’t all heavy though. There were also some beautiful, unexpected wins this year that carried me through the darker moments and gave me the confidence to keep going.
I started off the year strong with a few inbound leads. I ended up walking away from one and being let go from another (both being hard lessons in freelancing). But I also created my very first website from start to finish for fellow nurse writer, Teresa Burgess at RNByline.
Then I wrote a series of articles for The Nursing Beat, where I got to interview:
Julie Zweifel at Laser Fresh Aesthetics on her personal journey from military life to mom life and from nurse to business owner.
Lexie Agostinone at Laser 180 on how she was inspired to become a laser tattoo removal technician and then convinced her sister to open a med spa with her.
Matt Russo and his team at InkAway on how they’ve successfully expanded their med spa by focusing on people first.
Around March, my copywriting mentor sent my contact information to DuoCollective. Thus began an amazing partnership with a business I love working with. One website copywriting project in particular, Design Align, I am sooo proud of, but it also really stretched my creative writing skills with around 10,000 words across 5 pages of website copy. 🤯
In May, I completed the website copy for my beautiful friend, Kasey Pacheco at Preservers of Life, where I helped her align her messaging to her vision (I especially LOVE her About page). I even got to meet her IRL when we attended the same conference in July — we didn’t know we were going to see each other so it was such a fun surprise!
During my intended-but-then-unintended 3-month break over the summer, I had the time and energy to redesign and rewrite my entire website. I felt like I found SO much clarity in those three months and finally had a website that showcased everything I had learned in the first 8 ish months of my business.
I also started the process of elevating my own SEO and rewriting ALL of my blog posts (all 50+ of them). I even hired my very first editor to help me keep track of it all. And because of our work together, by the end of 2024, I saw an increase in my impressions, rankings, and click-through rates on Dr. Google! So even though my 1-month break unintentionally turned into a 3-month break, I’m so grateful I was able to turn it into a win!
In July, I attended the National Nurses in Business Association’s annual conference for the first time ever, and, despite my nerves, walked away with TWO new amazing clients. One of which I know will be instrumental to my success later in my business — I can’t wait for their project to go live! As an introvert, through and through, being at the conference pushed me wayyy out of my comfort zone. But I did the hard thing anyway and am so proud of myself for getting out there and meeting new people.
Toward the end of the year, I signed up for a group coaching program on self-love that accidentally turned into one-on-one coaching sessions with Stacy Prech at Well and Whole. But I’m so so sooo grateful she had the time and energy to host one-on-one calls because we didn’t just talk about self-love — we really dug into what it means for me to lead a business that aligns with my time, energy, and values. I’m continuing that work even after our sessions ended, but it’s been so healing in ways I didn’t expect.
While I couldn’t possibly list out every single one of my 2024 projects (and my fourth quarter projects haven’t even fully come to life yet), I can proudly say I added thousands of words to my Google Docs — far more than I actually care to count — and worked with business owners who are out here bringing positive change into the world (a dream come true).
In December, my partner surprised me with a spontaneous trip to Hawaii, so with only 2 weeks notice for work, we found our way to the warm blue oceans and laid back lifestyle of island living for a glorious 7 days. Throughout the year, we also traveled for two weddings, two conferences, a family reunion, and my Papa’s 90th birthday.
It absolutely felt like a whirlwind at times, but those trips reminded me of the importance of stepping away, soaking up life’s real moments, and being present with the people who matter most. And that Hawaii trip was the perfect exhale to end a year that stretched me in every direction — I’m just so grateful for the memories we made along the way.
Looking Forward to 2025
In 2024, I fully lived up to my title as a “sleep-deprived nurse” in every sense of the phrase. It pushed me in ways I never expected, forcing me to grow and stretch wayyy beyond my comfort zone. That messy, uncomfortable growth taught me to let go of what no longer aligned and embrace the lessons in every misstep.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Welllllllll, let’s just say I’ve also learned a whole heck of a lot about balance.
But as I’m sure you know, chasing after your dreams isn’t easy — your vision demands grit, sacrifice, and sometimes (okay, a lot of times) more caffeine than sleep.
So, while I’m most definitely aware that sleep is important and that we, nurses, shouldn’t wear sleep-deprivation like it’s a badge of honor, I’ve also put a ton of thought into what it can mean to be a sleep-deprived nurse IF you’re relentlessly chasing after a dream that truly means something to you.
Because the thing is:
A sleep-deprived nurse is a FORCE to be reckoned with.
We’re blazing new trails, healing communities, and advocating for each other. We’re building impactful businesses, breaking barriers, and challenging norms. We’re turning exhaustion into empowerment, ambition into action, and purpose into progress.
And THAT’S the energy I’m carrying into 2025: more clarity, more purpose, more heart-aligned work (and maybe — juuust maybe — a little more sleep, too 😜).
Wherever you are in your business journey, don’t forget that even the hard stuff is growing you in ways you can’t see yet.
It’s never been about being perfect — it’s always been about progress.
So, here’s to a new year, a fresh start, and a business (and life!) that feels aligned and sustainable. 🥂
And if any of this resonated with you (if you’ve come this far, I know it did!), subscribe to The Huddle so we can be nurse besties five-ever! You’ll get honest insights, helpful copywriting tips, and all kinds of encouragement dropping right into your inbox most Fridays. 💌 See you there!