I told myself 2025 was going to be the year for new beginnings. It's now July, I mean - better late than never, right? 😲
You will have to forgive me as I am new to being this . . . vulnerable, this . . . authentic without fear of judgement. Well, who am I kidding? I have plenty of fear - but one of my mantras at the moment is, "DO IT SCARED"!
So, I suppose I should start at the beginning. Don't worry, I won't talk about when I was born, or my early elementary years. Let's start in middle school. I felt like I had a great group of friends, up until it mattered where you went shopping, what you wore, where you lived, and how you looked. Things seemed to change for me towards the end of middle school. Then, BAM! My parents say, "Let's move to an entirely different state." 😬
Man, if I thought I was an "outsider" before we moved, I had no idea what was in store. To wrap up this time in my life, moving did not work out well for me. Well, depends on how you look at it. I would not be who I am today if I didn't go through what I went through. But in those moments, I did not want to live anymore.
I lasted my freshman year and about a month into my sophomore year before I found myself being checked into a psychiatric hospital. My parents had tried therapy and counseling and medication for me to no avail. So I went away for a little while, came back, homeschooled myself and got my high school diploma at 16 years old.
Started community college as soon as I could and began living my "adult" life. Little did I know, I had no idea what I was doing and was still very mentally unhealthy. I met a man (yes, a whole man) when I was 16 and he was 23 (see, told ya). He gave me the attention I so desperately thought I needed, love that I could not give myself, and I clung to him like glue.
I do not regret the 14 years I was married. I got to travel all over, and I got the 2 biggest blessings in my life, my boys, who are now 18 and 16.5! I put myself, my healing (that I didn't know I needed) on the back burner for so many years. Putting others above myself, which meant I was not my best self for those who needed it the most. I can't let others go down that same road!
I say all this to explain a little about why I am doing what I am doing at almost 40. After many, many years working in the public school system, working with all sorts of kiddos, I have a passion, and I am finally following it. I always told "my" students that if I could be that one person they could confide in and trust, I have done my job and more.
As someone who could have used as much positive guidance as humanly possible as a teen (and parent), I want to be that for any youth or young adult that crosses my path. How can I ask them to be authentic with me if I can't do it myself? I am the QUEEN of the messy bun (and comfy clothes) and I am going to power through this mission of mine strong!
I am currently becoming certified as a Youth Life Coach and Positive Parenting Coach. 🙌
If this blog crosses your path, and I have made some sort of positive impact in your life or in the life of someone you know, drop a comment and share this blog. Who knows where this journey will take me, but all I know is this is what I was meant to do. This is why I went through what I did, to help kids find their full potential and learn to love themselves and become a success in their lives.
I will try and keep this up as my classes continue, sharing what I learn along the way. Sharing MY ideas for the future, accepting any and all advice and wisdom. I truly believe it takes a village, and no matter how old we are, we always need a village.
Thank you for being my village.
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