In this episode of My Daughter, My Friend, Alanna and Adrienne go from road-trip stats to real talk about anxiety, independence, and protecting your peace.

They reminisce about their 120-day, 8,000-mile road trip—including 55 nights of house sitting, 46 nights in hotels, and 17 five-star reviews on TrustedHousesitters. They talk about how travel shaped their relationship, the funny moments, and the not-so-glamorous parts (like eating out for 98 days straight!).

Fast forward two years: Alanna now has her driver’s license, runs errands, finds hidden gem shops (hello, antique Annabelle doll), and is saving money on everyday things—like refilling water jugs instead of buying pricey brands. She also shares what it’s like preparing for her GED, visiting the college, and stepping back into a school environment after a tough high school experience that started during COVID.

The heart of this episode is Alanna’s honest reflection on anxiety, labels, friendships, and energy. She opens up about being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, how other people’s labels used to get in her head, and why she stopped Googling every symptom. She talks about learning to trust herself, building a peaceful life, and realizing that being your own friend might be the most healing relationship of all.

Adrienne and Alanna also dive into:

• How the people you surround yourself with can drain or protect your energy
• Why some people can feel like “energy vampires”
• What kids and teens can do when the stress is coming from inside their family
• How organization, routines, and background noise help Alanna manage her mind

They wrap up with dreams for the future: college, new friends, night drives, and creating a life that feels peaceful, productive, and free.

• The recap of their 120-day, 8,000-mile mother–daughter road trip
• House sitting, hotel stays, and what constant travel really feels like
• Alanna getting her driver’s license and gaining independence
• Antique shops, Halloween vibes, and the Annabelle replica in a glass case
• How Alanna saves money running errands and being more self-sufficient
• Preparing for the GED and walking into a college after time away from school
• Living with anxiety in a world full of labels and “diagnoses” from other people
• Why Alanna stopped Googling every symptom and started trusting herself
• Being your own best friend when friendships feel complicated
• Setting boundaries with negative people and protecting your energy
• Creating routines, organization systems, and background noise to feel calmerYou can travel for months, rack up miles, and still carry emotional journeys that matter just as much as the physical ones.
• Independence doesn’t just look like driving a car—it can be running errands, making decisions, and saving money your own way.
• Labels like “anxiety” can feel heavier when they come from other people; trusting your own experience is powerful.
• You don’t always need a big circle of friends—sometimes learning to be your own friend is the most important step.
• The people you surround yourself with deeply affect your energy, mood, and mental health.
• It’s okay to want peace more than popularity. Boundaries are not selfish; they’re survival.
• Organization, routines, and little systems (like binders, schedules, and background noise) can be quiet forms of self-care.