I’m Brooke Hardin, co-founder of Do Hard Stuff. But before it was a brand, before it was a movement, it was just me—a daughter grappling with the hardest year of my life. It was a mantra whispered in moments when my world felt like it was crumbling. “Do hard stuff,” I would say to myself, as I watched my father slip further away, taken piece by piece by Parkinson’s and dementia.
It was a year of loss, of endings I wasn’t ready for, and of changes I didn’t know how to face. But somewhere in that darkness, a spark of purpose was born. That year, “do hard stuff” became more than a phrase—it became a way of life.
2024: Courageous Joy and Resilience
In 2024, our family embraced another mantra: “courageous joy.” It felt almost impossible to live up to those words in a year filled with grief. I was learning about endings—the kind that leave you breathless, clutching for what used to be. And yet, through the pain, there was a lesson.
I learned to loosen my grip, to let go of the need to control, and to trust that even the hardest moments were shaping me for something greater. I guided my son and my husband through their grief, and together, we began to heal. We found solace in the belief that our loved ones were at peace, that heaven held them close, and that life—no matter how fleeting—was meant to be lived fully.
For the first time, I began to see beauty in endings. I felt time ticking faster and realized how precious every moment was. I understood the weight of connection—the responsibility we all have to leave others better than we found them. I knew I had gifts to give, and I vowed to use them.
2025: Embracing Abundance and Motivational Goals
As we step into 2025, our family’s mantra has expanded to “abundance.” This year, we’re daring to live bigger, to expect blessings, and to embrace the lessons hidden in hardship. For me, that means letting go of old habits and embracing intentional living.
- Reading the Bible in its entirety.
- Spending Sundays phone-free, focusing on family and faith
- Leading with love and generosity, putting others first.
- Practicing gratitude as a bridge to abundance.
This is my “why.” I want to leave behind more than possessions or achievements. I want to leave memories filled with love and stories of strength and hope.
What About You?
When I share my journey, people often ask, “How do you do it all?” The answer is simple: I don’t. I choose a few things to focus on each year. Some I stick with for a lifetime, others I let go.
Intentional living isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Whether it’s carving out time for family, finding joy in daily routines, or embracing challenges, the small steps you take today build the life you want tomorrow.
And if it doesn’t work? Start again.
The important thing is to keep going. To show up. To do the hard stuff.
Join the Movement
Do Hard Stuff isn’t just a brand—it’s a way of life. Each piece of motivational clothing carries a message of grit and grace, courage and connection. It’s a reminder that no matter what you’re facing, you can rise above it.
What’s your mantra for 2025? Share your story on social media with the hashtag #DoHardStuff and inspire others to embrace their own challenges. Join us in wearing motivational clothing that represents courage, grit, and resilience. Let’s inspire each other to live fully, love deeply, and to do hard stuff.
Shop now to join the movement.