A little over a year ago, my life changed in a way I never anticipated. Divorce shook the foundation of everything I thought I knew—about love, partnership, and even myself. In the aftermath, I found myself asking: Who am I now? What do I need to feel whole again?
What followed was not an instant transformation, but a slow, intentional journey back to myself—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Today, more than a year later, I can say with deep honesty: I am not the same woman I was. I am softer, stronger, clearer. Here’s how I got here.
Rooted in Ritual: Creating My New Morning
Each morning became sacred. Before the emails, before the noise of the world, I created space just for me. I began my days with a warm cup of bone broth, a small act of nourishment that felt grounding and healing.
I would journal in those early hours, while the world was still quiet. Pouring my thoughts onto paper helped me clear emotional clutter and reconnect with my inner voice. It was my way of making sense of the mess, of honoring where I had been—and where I was going.
Guided by the rhythm of Hawaiian morning prayers, I meditated. These chants carried a sense of peace and reverence that helped me reconnect to something deeper, older, and wiser within me. They reminded me that healing doesn’t come from force—it comes from gentleness, presence, and a return to spirit.
Surrounding Myself with True Friends
One of the most transformative decisions I made was to lean into my true friendships. I stopped trying to maintain connections out of obligation and instead prioritized the people who made me feel seen, safe, and supported.
These friends reminded me who I was when I forgot. They listened without judgment, laughed with me when I needed lightness, and held space when I needed to fall apart. Their presence was one of the most healing medicines I had.
A New Environment, A New Energy
Relocating from Chicago to Las Vegas was more than just a change of scenery—it was a soul-level reset. Chicago will always hold a piece of my heart, but I needed sun, space, and the feeling of forward movement.
In Las Vegas, I gave myself permission to start fresh. I explored new neighborhoods, met new people, and discovered parts of myself that had been buried under years of routine and compromise. The desert taught me resilience and stillness. The mountains reminded me of strength.
Learning What I Want and Need
This year has been about unlearning and relearning—letting go of what no longer serves me and giving voice to what does.
I asked myself hard questions:
- What do I truly want?
- What feels nourishing, not just familiar?
- Where am I no longer willing to shrink or settle?
I stopped ignoring my own needs. I learned to set boundaries without guilt. I became more honest in my relationships, and more compassionate with myself.
What I Know Now
Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like drinking bone broth before sunrise. Sometimes it’s moving across the country. Sometimes it’s crying on the phone with your best friend, or dancing alone in your kitchen because, for the first time in a while, you feel free.
This journey has reminded me that I’m allowed to change. I’m allowed to protect my peace. I’m allowed to start over as many times as I need.
One year post-divorce, I don’t just feel like myself again—I feel more me than I’ve ever been.
If you’re walking through your own chapter of change, know this: healing takes time, but it’s worth every quiet morning, every boundary honored, and every truth spoken. Keep going—you’re not lost. You’re returning.
Thank you for sharing, the awesome woman you already were is now awesomer (I know it’s not a word) but I bet you smiled. Continue to be my favorite person on earth!