Rediscovering Self After Divorce: My Journey

After my divorce, I found myself standing alone in a grocery store, bewildered by the items in my cart. I realized I had no idea what I liked to eat—I had been living someone else's life for so long that I couldn't recognize my own preferences. The simple act of shopping highlighted the deep disconnect I felt with myself. I stared at the shelves, wondering, "What do I actually like?" It was a moment that showed me how much of myself had been lost and buried under years of trauma and sacrifice.

Life had felt like a constant compromise, leaving me unsure of my own wants, desires, and even my self-worth. It wasn’t just about preferences; it was about realizing that I had lost touch with who I was, beyond the roles I had been fulfilling. The pain of rebuilding came with loneliness, self-doubt, and the deep struggle to reconnect with the person I had forgotten.

The Turning Point: Moving Forward, One Question at a Time

I knew the only way out of this fog was forward. I committed to moving step-by-step, constantly asking myself, “What’s next?” and holding a belief that, somehow, I had the strength and the wisdom within to navigate this new chapter. My guiding light became a belief that each question I asked could bring me closer to my true self. Through journaling, self-reflection, and embracing the possibility of each day, I learned that the answers were within me all along, waiting for me to unlock them.

A Purpose Reborn: Essence of You and ‘What If…’

This journey led me to create Essence of You, a company rooted in the empowerment of rediscovery, and my book, What If, which offers daily possibilities and affirmations for reclaiming life on one’s own terms. Today, I am dedicated to helping other professional women who feel lost after separation or divorce—especially those who, like me, are working to reclaim their identity and power. I know that transformation is possible, and through Essence of You, I support women in rediscovering the strength and clarity within themselves.