THE PREGNANCY I NEVER WANTED BUT NEEDED

this is my last one for 2024, and honestly, i’m so ready to let this year go. if you’re in hamburg, though, i feel you - this weather is really killing the vibe. but i don’t want to end it on a moody note. anyway, in this issue i have one piece of professional advice for your linkedin, a painful secret about what happened this year, and a tutorial to help you start using AI for your “beauty” needs. love d.

HOW TO FIX LINKEDIN FAST

do i like linkedin? no, it’s more of a “hass-liebe” relationship. but here’s the thing: if someone googles your name, linkedin will show up in the top results. and if a recruiter or headhunter is searching on linkedin, you better have your profile on point. trust me, spending just one hour on it can leave you way more prepared for new business opportunities in the coming year than ever before. by the way, this is my profile after the update.

recently, i had lunch with simon - a dear friend and a big supporter of my early steps in emerging tech. from building WOM3N.dao and sharing speaking opportunities to even buying my book. as we caught up, we dove into the newest linkedin hacks and why it’s so important to use them. here’s the checklist we came up with:

NOTE2SELF

“last days of december. 2024 is coming to an end - a year full of challenges and growth. you showed up, even when it felt impossible. so many battles, so many big risings.”

recapping this year feels overwhelming. one day in february changed everything. i held a positive pregnancy test in my hands - for the first time in my life. i never wanted children and did everything to avoid it. suddenly, i had to ask myself: what do i really want from life? i went through the whole humiliating process of informing myself about abortion. i wanted an opt-out. the anxiety nearly killed me. all the family and childhood trauma resurfaced. i cried rivers and talked to close friends. how could someone like me, who has been through so much abuse and pain, give birth and do better?? because i can. because i have the choice to do better. to ask for help. i felt a real chance at healing what i craved the most - childhood and family.

than at the regular gyn appointment, the words will stay with me forever: “i’m so sorry, but there is no more heartbeat.” i fell into deep darkness, surrounded by shadows for months. numb, unable to help myself. ignoring what i was going through while speaking on stages. just as i began to rebuild myself - finding hope, stability, and the drive to start a new business i had an unexpected positive test. fear of losing again vs. endless happiness of a new chance given. yes, i was ready for a whole new experience. ready to focus on this little one. but it’s not as romantic as it sounds. pregnancy and being self-employed throws you into challenges you never asked for.

companies telling me they’ll have opportunities for me “after i come back,” so i can “focus on myself.” playing nice but being dismissive. i missed out on so much. time and money slipping away as maternal leave came closer - a date in the calendar. non-negotiable.

and last week i found myself talking with “working mums” about writing thankful christmas letters to those who still worked with them or waiting months for parental allowance which btw has not been raised in the past years. after adjusting for inflation, it would be min from 300 to 413 euro and max from 1.800 to 2.480 euro. my source of information is Anissa Brinkhoff via insta. i didn’t see my partner doing the same. becoming unplanned pregnant as a self-employed woman leaves you just one step away from an existential crisis. it throws you back into dependency on your partner, the breadwinner as we are living in 1950. but hey, “chill, because stress affects the baby,” right?

one thing i’ve been reminded: always have your own project going on. for example writing you in this emails. selling my book. and hell yes, i’m working on my new start-up. you’ll be the first to know. but for now … chin chin to 2025 - hopefully 2024 was preparing me for what i’ve asked for in the new year.

THE ULTIMATE HACK TO UPLEVEL YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE w/ chatGPT

yes, you read that right! i want you to use chatGPT to uplevel your beauty routine, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed - this is totally worth it.

we all have packed bathrooms filled with creams, serums, peelings, and bottles we don’t even remember buying or know how to use. this is where chatGPT, your personal beauty assistant, steps in.

ATTENTION: you liked this hack and want to share it? don’t forget to credit me or ask for permission if you’re using it commercially. or you want some prompts for your company? hit me up and let’s create.

BITS & NUGGETS

• celebrating the BOOK RELEASE of two inspiring creators and experts in their fields: Elisa Brunke “Easy Protein” and Sue Fengler “Less Stress in your 30s”.

• planning an event and need speakers beyond Justus, Hannes & Andreas? be sure to check out MMW-voices and diversify your stage.

• this podcast episode really touched me: Steven Bartlett (Diary of a CEO) and The Trauma Expert Bessel van der Kolk (The Body keeps the Score).

A LIST OF PEOPLE TO THANK THIS YEAR

the friends who healed hearts they did not break. chosen family. the person who listened to you talk about the same situation over and over until it was out of your system. the person who encouraged you. the person who loved you. the person you grew closer to. the person you had to step away from. the person who inspired you to begin the next era of your life. the person who reminded you who you are. yourself.

you made a powerful decision for yourself by reading RE:FRAME to the end. let’s turn that power into action - add five more in: five forwards to friends, five shares, or simply your five mins of reflections. your next step matters.