New Delhi, Jan 16: With a turbulent year behind her that included the death of her former boyfriend and a battle with breast cancer, Christina Applegate has a new outlook for 2009.

The ''Samantha Who?'' star is planning to embark on a quest for self-fulfilment this year, comparing herself to a desperate traveller in scorching conditions, reports China Daily.

"It''s about finding happiness and joy, as if it were water and I was a person dying in a desert. You have to search for that," she said.

In 2008, the actress underwent a double mastectomy operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her on-off boyfriend Lee Grivas also died due to an apparent drug overdose.

Applegate said that getting through last year wasn't easy.

"You can''t get any darker than I went," she said.

However, the 37-year-old actress is determined to recapture her positive outlook on life this year and is starting by getting into shape.

"I missed running so much. I''m looking forward to running more," she said. (ANI)