As 2019 comes to an end,Hannah Brownis looking back on the year that changed her life forever.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive sneak peek at ABC’s 9th annual year-end specialThe Year: 2019, which airs on Sunday, Brown, 25, reflects on the significant life changes she underwent, most notably her journey onThe Bachelorette.
“When I started this whole journey that this year has been, I realized very quickly it’s either all or nothing with me,” she admits. “I chose all, and sometimes I’m like, ‘Gosh dang it, why are you like that?!’ But then I have moments where people come up to me and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I feel like I know you, you’re my friend!'”
“A lot of people, truly, if they’ve watched me and have been on this ride with me this year — you do know me,” she continues. “I haven’t tried to hold anything back.”
Leon Bennett/WireImage

Brown acknowledges, however, that her authenticity on television has made life “difficult at times.”
“Sometimes, yeah, I wish I would have protected my heart a little more, absolutely,” she says. “But being able to have that human connection is so worth it I’m really proud of that.”
Brown began 2019 as a contestantColton Underwood‘s season 23 ofThe Bachelor. After placing seventh, she was cast as the lead ofThe Bachelorette‘s 15th season.
She ultimately accepted a proposal from country singerJed Wyatton the show, but ended upcalling off the engagementand dumping him on-camera up after learning thathe allegedly had a girlfriend when he went on the show.
John Fleenor/ ABC

In August, Brownopened up in a lengthy Instagram post, admitting that she had been “struggling” following the end of the ABC series. Later that month, she was announced as one of the celebrities competing on season 28 ofDancing with the Stars.
The Alabama nativewent on to win the seasonwith pro partner Alan Bersten in November, beating out fellow finalistsKel Mitchell,Ally Brooke, andLauren Alaina. All four stars will participate in the upcomingDancing with the Stars — Live Tour 2020, whichkicks off in January.
Eric McCandless via Getty Images

“I’m making decisions for my heart,” Brown said in the clip. “Because I know there’s still something there. And I would do anything for a relationship.”
A press release revealed that Brown also returns to host a group date, where she explains to nine women that they will be revealing their most memorable sex stories and fantasies in front of a live audience.
“But what happens when Peter discovers a distraught Hannah backstage?” the release teased. “What she shares with him will leave them both as confused as ever. Do the two of them still have feelings for one another and share the same sizzling passion? Will Hannah join the group of women in the Bachelor mansion and continue to date Peter?”
“I was in love with Peter,” Browntold PEOPLEafter deciding to end things with the charming pilot during theBacheloretteseason finale in July. “I was pulled into different directions every other day. But I had to make a decision. I felt like my heart was broken.”
The Year: 2019airs this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com