No Regrets

On Living Without Asking to Be Understood

As we move into 2026 and let go of what didn’t serve us, I’ve been making a list of what I don’t regret from 2025.

Not resolutions.
Not lessons learned the hard way.

Just choices — of varying risk — that turned out to be right.

So here’s to another year of taking risks, big and small.

I became a public person again in 2025, and I am not regretting it. I am softer, and more at ease. Old hat.

Here are things I don’t regret (and my takeaways):

I don’t regret the moments I looked selfish to people who benefited from my self-erasure. My god how we do this. Stop pussyfooting. If they won’t listen to you when you’re nice, either walk away forever or get a little aggressive — even if they don’t have the capacity for emotional complexity and insist you stay small. Some people don’t deserve your reserve, or your “high road.” Feel me?

I don’t regret becoming a crusader for pleasure on this Substack. Pleasure comes from seeking meaning and memory, not luxury or leisure. It’s finding adventures that humble and enlighten you. I define it as learning to listen to your body — whether to inform personal health or business decisions. It’s not just following protocol. It’s about letting go of control so you can learn what works or what you love. Exploration leads to discovery — it’s not the easy path, but it’s the one that feels good in the long run.

It’s living close to earth and sky, remembering that you are a sentient being, driven by feeling, instinct, and emotion.

I don’t regret becoming a crusader for health and wellbeing - Floura and Flourishment.. I’m grateful you came with me. I’m still learning, and growing steadier in my convictions as I build the skills of advocacy.

I don’t regret getting massages as often as I needed. A regulated nervous system is a business asset.

I don’t regret going to New York for a date with Mr. Gray that ended up lasting the whole year. It’s still on. Life is brief and strange. Seek what animates you. Get into your body. Fall in love. Mean it. Protect meaning like the rare thing it is.

I don’t regret prioritizing beauty, sexiness, and elegance this year — and living to the fullest. Even as a mom, founder, ex-wife. You know how we’re supposed to behave. Fuck that. After thirty years of scrappy, humble, all-in building, this felt earned. This is what age gives you. This is why I don’t need to look young anymore. I’m not here to shrink.

I don’t regret aging naturally. I like how I look now, at 52, better than any other time in my life. I want to look like my grandmother at 90, not a 90-year-old 60-year-old. I use hydrating waters and oils. That’s about it. (this one from muji is my current ultra hydrating favorite — and cheap! And this oil is my forever favorite.) And walking daily and eating fiber are my must do rituals.

I don’t regret wearing Revlon Love That Red lipstick as my favorite blush. Blushing is my favorite emotion. (And yes — OPI Coca-Cola Red is the only nail polish I wear.)

I don’t regret using L’Oréal box color every two weeks instead of finding time for a salon (#9 Light Natural Blonde). My time has become sacred. Beauty, allure, sensuality — none of it needs to be perfect.

I don’t regret not wearing makeup to podcast recordings on camera. Hear me now: Building a business is not glamorous, no matter what the internet says. But it is fun. And a little dangerous.

I don’t regret starting — and actually nurturing—two Substacks. One for practical health (Flourishment). One for exploration, non-linear thought, and discover (this one). Writing is how I think. I have 101 drafts. Most won’t be published. That’s part of the work.

I don’t regret not doing enough founder-led content for Floura in our launch year — or spending much time on social media. I had work to do. We launched quietly and built loudly. More to come.

I don’t regret selling over one million bars in 11 months without having a slick polished brand or a retail presence. Product–market fit before vibes. Always. When you’re doing something genuinely new — like making fiber from produce cores and rinds — it takes time to learn who you’re speaking to. We’re not creating for virality. We’re building a heritage brand.

I don’t regret spending too much on a sweater I wore nonstop. Nor do I regret buying a 50 year old hand knit fair aisle on ebay for $35 that I also wore nonstop. Law of averages applies to cost per wear. (I’ve started a ShopMy for those of you who ask — I’m always happy to share what I’m excited about.)

A tale of two great sweaters -- The Row, and eBay. And ears pierced! Photo by Mr. Gray.

In 2025, I decided the only spirit I drink is sparkling wine — usually pét-nat — and I don’t regret the occasional glass. The occasions increased. (here is my all time favorite) Wherever I go, I find sparkling.

Speaking of sparkling, I do not regret getting my ears pierced. I spent a lot of time in the hospital as a child so I never wanted needles near me. But, these earrings from Howl spoke to me too much and I knew it was time. Mr. Gray and Greta by my side I stepped into a new era.

I don’t regret renting an apartment on the Lower East Side, NYC for the year. I’ve lived most of my life in the Midwest — Peoria and Columbus — and I love it deeply. New York is good for me right now. It won’t be forever.

Looking back, most of what I don’t regret shares one thing:

It didn’t ask to be understood. To live vibrantly is to go your own way.

Living unpredictably is the definition of true consciousness now.

What about you?
What don’t you regret from 2025?
And what are you already choosing not to regret in 2026?

Sending you love and lightness,

Jeni