Jenna Dewan is reflecting on a transformative year and the lessons she has learned in the wake of her divorce from Channing Tatum.

“This past year I learned that life has a way of bringing you exactly what you need to learn at exactly the right time,” Dewan, 44, shared in a personal essay for InStyle published on Wednesday, January 22. “The transitions weren’t just changes — they were invitations to grow, to lean into the discomfort and discover the strength I didn’t know I had.”

Dewan and Tatum, both 44, first met on the set of the 2006 film Step Up, where their onscreen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance. The pair tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed their daughter, Everly, in 2013. After nearly a decade of marriage, the couple announced their amicable separation in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2020.

Since their split, both have moved forward in their personal lives. Tatum has been linked to actress Zoë Kravitz, while Dewan is engaged to actor Steve Kazee, with whom she shares a son, Callum, born in 2020.

Dewan used her essay to highlight how the past year, particularly 2024, was one of self-discovery and personal growth. “I learned a lot about myself, my resilience, and my voice. I learned to let go of over-accommodating in my relationships and to sit with uncomfortability. What it really means to trust,” she wrote.

The Step Up star explained her shift in perspective, noting, “Sometimes things break because you don’t fit in that vessel anymore, and that’s OK. Fresh starts, I’ve realized, don’t wait for calendars or big proclamations. They happen in the quiet choices: forgiving yourself, showing up again, trusting the process even when it feels hopeless.”

As she looks to the future, Dewan expresses gratitude for the life she is building with her fiancé Steve Kazee and their blended family. “I am so grateful for my family, the love and presence of my partner, Steve, and the adventures we will have this year,” she shared. “I see some travel, lots of family laughs, and, most importantly, maybe a wedding finally!”

Dewan’s commitment to embracing imperfection has led her to a place of fulfillment. “Life’s beauty lies in its imperfection — the laughter through tears, the moments of doubt that give way to clarity. When you embrace the journey instead of clinging to the destination, you begin to surprise yourself with more joy than you imagined possible.”

Through self-reflection and resilience, Dewan has turned her post-divorce chapter into an inspiring journey of empowerment and love.