I haven't done one of these in a while, where I share my thoughts on the year. Let's be honest, I haven't posted on here in a year😩that's crazy.
Well, let's get into it.
At the end of 2024, I quit my job to focus 100% on my styling business. This decision was met with some fear and anxiety but I knew I really wanted to leave my job because I was not happy. I was going to work upset and annoyed and that is not how you should be going into a space where you have to work and be around people. Way before leaving I did apply to many other positions, as well as trying to move up in the company I worked for and nothing was happening. So, I made the decision to leave my job and take the leap of faith and bet on myself. My goal has always been to work for myself.
It's crazy that the day after my last day at work I got the flu, I was sick for a week. It's like my body was purging and I was able to get some great sleep because my anxiety was keeping me wide awake(no Katy Perry lol). I gave myself two weeks to lollygag and then I got to work to make my dreams a reality. At this point I have been styling for 12 years but I always had other jobs while styling to have consistent income. I also completed undergraduate while pursuing my styling career. I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts. My childhood dream was to be a teacher, so I went to school to be a music teacher. Guess what? I was on my way to becoming a teacher, I started off as a substitute teacher for two years. Then I decided that this dream wasn't mine anymore. I pursued it to please little girl Bria but adult Bria had new dreams.
Now you know a little of that backstory, let's get back to 2025...
Stepping out on faith was one of the scariest decisions I have made in my life. Something in me was telling me it was time to move on. To at least try. There can never be regrets from trying or doing.
I can't even lie, going into 2025 I really thought everything was going to change automatically. I thought styling opportunities would be coming to me left and right. That was not the case at all. I did have a few styling jobs throughout the year, one which happened to be a commercial. My first time styling a commercial and it was a great experience.
In my head I thought it was going to be way more consistent, being that I opened myself and my time up to those opportunities. The belief that I have in myself that I can do anything is what gave me that confidence. I thought my career was going to skyrocket and I would be everywhere styling everyone but 2025 taught me so much more.
This year was the year of discipline. I didn't have consistent income coming in so I couldn't spend the way i'm used to. That was a lot of discipline because if you know me then you know I love to shop. One of the hardest decisions of the year was not going to the Cowboy Carter tour. I have not missed a Beyoncé concert since 2013, I even went to Renaissance twice, so missing Cowboy Carter broke my heart lol.
Again, that word discipline.
There was also a lot of anxiety and fear. What if I fail? What if it doesn't happen? Why would I leave my job? Those questions kept attacking me. My mental health was definitely tested this year. Through it all, God has carried me through this year. I have cried so much this year and I have gotten so many no's but God has kept me up and going. Through all the tears and those questions popping into my head, I never wanted to give up. This is the dream, my passion, what I love, I could never give up. Through it all I still believed that everything was and is going to be okay, I just had to keep on going.
To my family and friends who I spoke to about my worries but probably didn't know how much sadness I was going through at some points throughout the year. Thank you for uplifting me in laughter, joy and love even when you probably didn't know how much I needed it.
There is so much to be grateful and thankful for going into 2026. I may not have gotten everything I wanted in 2025 but I got what I needed and I did so much.
*I went to the Met Gala(not inside yet) but I went to the area and filmed content. Which also started my correspondence work that I have been wanting to do for so long.
*I started producing my friends show on my own network on YouTube.
*Stepped out of my comfort zone and auditioned for a commercial and other correspondence work.
*Went to a lot of events alone, networked and met a lot of new people.
*Like I mentioned earlier, I styled a commercial for the first time.
*I hit 1,000+ subscribers on my second YouTube channel so I am close to monetizing my second channel.
*I took a break from therapy, which I started in 2023 when I turned 30. I do plan on going back at some point but I needed a little break.
Going into 2026 I plan on continuing to be more patient with myself. Continuing career patience and trusting God, that everything is working out for me.
2026 I am ready for you and I know good things are coming, everything I want is going to happen and even better than I have envisioned. I can't believe 2025 has gone by so fast but cheers to a New Year🥂
Love,
Bria Van Cooten
(Photo cred- @thatlion77)