Teddi Mellencamp Says 'My Word for 2024 Is Going to Be Strength' amid Melanoma Journey

“I am committing to being in the best mental and physical shape I can be in,” wrote the 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is embracing a new sense of "strength" for 2024.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum posted an Instagram photo on Wednesday, showing her recent surgical scar that removed her 13th melanoma. In her caption, the TV personality shared how she’s approaching 2024 by not engaging in negative talk or self-doubts, all to rebuild her mental and physical strength.

She explained that each year she chooses a word to focus on and revealed that she “consistently joked” that her word of 2024 would be “cope.” But upon entering February, the 42-year-old shared she’s refocused her year on the word “strength.” 

“Cope was my mindset after all of the highs and lows from my almost two years of dealing with melanoma,” wrote Mellencamp Arroyave. “Every time I started to feel like ‘me’ again, BAM, another reared its ugly head, another surgery on the books, another round of fear of not being enough for anyone— all overshadowed how I wanted to truly feel about myself.”

“I had convinced myself that this state of constant crushing anxiety was the new me and I just had to learn to ‘cope.’” 

“But the truth is, EFF THAT,” she declared. 

The Two Ts In A Pod co-host shared that since her last surgery six weeks ago she’s been “cleared to do whatever it is she wants.”

“And I want to be strong. I will be strong -

All About Michelle White? Who Is Donald ,...

,” she announced.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She explained that she is no longer focusing on negative thoughts or the question “What if I die?”

“I am now focusing on how I can be the strongest version of me possible. I am committing to being in the best mental and physical shape I can be in,” wrote the accountability coach.

“This year my primary focus (in addition to my fam) will be becoming my STRONGEST self yet.”

“I started this Instagram 9-years-ago to hold myself accountable to changing my life. I’m doing it all over again right now,” concluded Mellencamp Arroyave.

Mellencamp Arroyave shared that she had been diagnosed with her 13th melanoma back in September and has continued to be transparent about her journey on social media. She was first diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in October 2022.

In mid-January, she revealed to Instagram followers that she does have “sad” days as she deals with her health conditions.

“Instagram can be an illusion,” she shared during an Instagram Q&A. “There are times when I’m definitely positive and brave but there are also times where I feel really sad and down and anxious. I just know that they come in waves and I have to kinda listen to myself and do what feels best to me.”

Finnish Family Portrait Balances Christm,...