Yes is More

This past year, I realized something simple but powerful: I started saying yes more often than I said no. And the ripple effect has been undeniable.

In just twelve months, I checked off bucket-list experiences I once thought would take a lifetime. I traveled to 12 countries. I danced to sets from 8 of the world’s biggest DJs. I pushed my body to run a half-marathon. I gave back to my community while home for the holidays. I even became the face of a local Michigan brand. And now, I’m launching a brand of my own.

Looking back, I don’t think any of this is a coincidence. Saying yes opened doors I didn’t even know existed—and it shaped this past year into one I’ll never forget.

It started in the summer of 2024 at our cottage in northern Michigan. A small local brand reached out after seeing me post their merch on Instagram. They asked if I’d be interested in doing a few photo shoots. I said yes. That one yes led to my photos being featured across their website and Instagram for the entire year. I became the face of their brand, and—without realizing it at the time—got my first glimpse into the world of fashion and began the building of my portfolio. 

A few months later, I moved to Italy. From the start, saying yes wasn’t optional—it was a survival skill.In my very first week, one of my new roommates asked if I wanted to go to Ibiza. I could have hesitated. I could have said no. But instead, I said yes.

That weekend in Ibiza turned into something much bigger: it became a mindset shift. It made me realize that what I value most are memories and experiences—the kind that stay with you for a lifetime. After that, every time a new plane ticket link hit my inbox, I said yes.

Before I knew it, I had traveled to 12 countries in one year—all because of that first yes.

My mom might argue I don’t say yes to her enough. But a few of my biggest accomplishments came directly from doing just that. In high school, volunteering with the elderly felt like a chore. This time, when my mom suggested serving Christmas dinners at our church, I decided to approach it differently. I said yes—and found myself deeply moved by the stories I heard. It reminded me of the richness of lives lived differently than my own.

She also pushed me to run a half-marathon. Saying yes to that challenge taught me that some of life’s hardest battles aren’t physical, but mental. Crossing that finish line showed me what resilience really feels like.

Right now, I’m back in Northport, Michigan—searching for inspiration, fueled by forward momentum. Because that’s what yes has given me: direction. I’m not interested in going backwards, or even sideways. I’m focused on moving forward, on saying yes to opportunities, people, and experiences that expand my world.

So here’s what I’ve learned:

Say yes.

Say yes to growth. Say yes to adventure. Say yes to the unknown.

And just as importantly—say no to the things that pull you off course, the detours and U-turns that distract from the road ahead.

Because one yes has the power to change everything.