In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm opening up about something I've been quiet about this season. I'm in love — and after almost 10 years of not being in a committed relationship, two years of celibacy, and doing the real work on myself, this new chapter has brought up things I never expected. Things I'm actively working through in therapy right now.

I talk about what it feels like to experience firsts all over again, the difference between who I was in love at 25 and who I am now, why I didn't even realize how much I had normalized not being celebrated, and what it actually looks like to let someone in when your independence has become your whole identity.

If you've spent a long time on your own and you're somewhere between scared and hopeful about love — this episode will say the things you haven't been able to say out loud yet.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it's really like to step into a relationship after years of independence
• How healing works differently when you're actually in a relationship vs. alone
• Why small moments like New Year's hit differently than you expect
• The patterns I noticed in myself that I didn't see before
• Why hard conversations are something I actually enjoy now
• What intentional dating looks like at 34
• Learning the difference between love bombing and being put on a pedestal
• Why every love is completely different — and why that's a beautiful thing
• Reminders for anyone stepping into love after a long season of being single

🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ

🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬

📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious

In this episode of Similarly Different, Dr. Deepika Chopra is back — and this time she brought her book. The Power of Real Optimism is five years in the making, and in this conversation she opens up about what it really cost her to write it. From receiving a rare medical diagnosis for one of her children while writing a book on hope, to learning how to shift from "why is this happening to us" to "why not us" — this is one of the most vulnerable and honest conversations I've had on this show.

We also answer questions from our community of moms about staying optimistic when nothing feels okay, teaching kids resilience without faking it, and what to do when your life looks nothing like you imagined it would. If you've ever felt like optimism wasn't available to you — this episode will change that.

If you're going through something heavy right now, or you just needed someone to remind you that real optimism includes the dark — this one is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What real optimism actually is — and what it's not
• Why "good vibes only" is doing more harm than good
• Dr. Deepika's personal journey writing this book through a family medical crisis
• The shift from "why is this happening to me" to "why not us"
• How to stay present and hopeful when the future feels completely uncertain
• Teaching kids optimism through modeling, not perfection
• The strategic pause and other practical nervous system tools
• Answering real mom questions about guilt, overwhelm, and survival mode
• Why optimism is a skill — not a personality trait

📲 Dr. Deepika Chopra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra

🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ

🔔 Don't forget:
✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes
✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)
✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them
✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬

📲 Let's stay connected:
Instagram: @similarlydifferentpod
TikTok: @similarlydifferentpod
Submit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious

In this episode of Similarly Different, I'm breaking down everything I actually use and do as a content creator in 2026 — the apps, the platforms, the income streams, and the things that genuinely nobody talks about. Like why downloading a template app is not going to make you a content creator. Or why a woman in her late 50s I met at a Kayali event is now one of the top TikTok Shop creators after three months of just being herself on camera.I've been doing this for over 10 years, and I'm still learning. But the one thing I know for sure is that the creators building longevity right now are not the ones going viral once. They're the ones building a brand, diversifying their platforms, and creating content that people actually want to come back to.This episode is your starting point if you've been waiting to begin — or your reset if you've been doing this for a while and feel stuck.In this episode, we talk about:• LTK vs ShopMy vs Amazon — which platform to use and when• TikTok Shop and how to use it without turning your house into an Amazon warehouse• The editing apps I actually use — CapCut, Adobe Premiere, Tezza, and more• How to repurpose one video into five pieces of content across five platforms• Why followers alone don't build careers anymore• The difference between chasing virality and building a brand• How to start creating content with what you already have at home• Why I am not here for the courses and workshops• Monetization beyond brand deals — affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and more🎓 This episode is sponsored by National University, to find out more information see here: https://bit.ly/4vJfyKQ🔔 Don't forget:✔️ Subscribe for weekly episodes✔️ Leave a rating & review (it helps more than you know!)✔️ Drop a comment — I always read them✔️ Tag me in your stories @similarlydifferentpod — I'll repost! 💬📲 Let's stay connected:Instagram: @similarlydifferentpodTikTok: @similarlydifferentpodSubmit a 'Similarly Curious' question: https://www.youandmemedia.co/similarlycurious