Jordan Turpin Opens Up About Healing from a 'Rough Year' with a New House, 4 Dogs and 4 Guinea Pigs (Exclusive)

Turpin — who escaped the "House of Horrors" in 2018 — opens up about finding moments of joy, what she's learned about mental health and her new merch line

Jordan Turpin is heading into 2024 with big dreams.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, the aspiring model — who helped her siblings escape the so-called "House of Horrors" in January 2018 — opens up to PEOPLE about overcoming a difficult year, finding joy with her new four-legged furry family members and her hopes for the future.

"Over this last year, I have learned a lot about mental health and everything. It was a really rough year," acknowledges Turpin, who marked her recent 23rd birthday by launching a merch line aptly called Braveness. "The last few months it's been really good because I've really learned so much about mental health [and] why everything has affected me the way it affected me."

By leaning into therapy, Turpin has gained tools to help her through her more difficult times. "[These] coping skills help motivate me to get out of bed," she says. "I've been sleeping really well, been eating really well. I've been eating my three meals a day. I've been getting up early, going to bed early. I feel healthy. I feel good."

Related: Jordan Turpin, 'House of Horrors' Survivor, Attends America's Got Talent As Howie Mandel's Guest

When she has "down days" or nightmares, "I get out my journal, and I've really just learned to work with my pain. And I have friends and siblings that I can talk to and go to," she adds.

While 2023 wasn't easy, Turpin also created new joyful memories — and connections — that gave her hope.

At the beginning of the year, she met Demi Lovato for the first time, and she was "so sweet," says Turpin, who was accompanied at the time by her sister Jeanetta. "We went to go have lunch together, and she's actually really kind of been there for me. The beginning of the year, it was rough, and she was somebody that was there for me."

In September she also visited the set of America's Got Talent, where she met Howie Mandel — someone she had looked up to while in captivity.

"I had my role models now and my role models I've had before, when I was younger," Turpin explains. "When I meet somebody like Howie, that I was a fan of since a long time ago ... it makes it even more unreal when you never thought it could possibly happen. It's really emotional, in a good way. It's [like], 'This is real freedom.'"

With the "best team" around her — and "now" role models including Selena Gomez, who has been open about her own struggles with mental health, to look up to — Turpin feels ready to tackle bigger projects in the new year.

Related: Jordan Turpin Hopes to Become Motivational Speaker After College and 'Make a Difference in the World'

"I've always looked up to her because I've always seen what a big heart she has. She's always stayed humble, she's always been herself and she's so connected to her fans," Turpin says of Gomez. "I just feel like she's so appreciative of a lot. I could talk about Selena Gomez all day. She's done some little speeches [about mental health], and she motivates me to want to help others too."

Turpin also hopes to follow in Gomez's footsteps by breaking into acting in 2024.

"I think the easiest for me to do is [a] sad [role] because I can relate. I think it would be good to play in a movie like that so I can help others. When I see a movie [like that], it helps me because I know I'm not alone," she says.

But Turpin — whose favorite shows include Charmed and The Vampire Diaries — isn't ruling out comedy: "Once you get to know me, I do joke a lot and I have a funny personality."

Still close with her 12 siblings, Turpin has also found healing with her beloved pets. "I have a lot of animals," she says, chuckling.

She's not kidding. Earlier this year, she moved into a new home — mainly so her four guinea pigs and four dogs (she added her new puppy, Buddy, to the family over the summer) would have room to roam.

Related: Jennifer and Jordan Turpin Meet Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood: 'A Light Through Our Darkness'

"I want my dogs to have that big open space. I have such a connection with them. I can just give them a look, and they know what I'm saying. They're just so funny," she says of her pups, who love to "cuddle up" on her. "When I got Buddy, I got him at a time when I needed him. He's my best friend and he's gotten me through a lot."

Now feeling "healthy and good," Turpin is looking forward to forming stronger bonds with her supporters.

"I think Braveness was perfect for the name because I really want to help others. All my friends, fans describe me and say, 'You're an inspiration to me and you've helped me,'" she explains of her "Doing My Best" hoodie (available until Nov. 27). "Everyone can do what I did. I want everyone to know that we are all brave, and there is hope. I'm hoping to figure out a way to communicate with my fans more. There's a lot of things I want to share, and I'm just really hoping next year I can help as much as I possibly can."

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Read the original article on People.