Who said that we have to have it all figured out by now? By now, I mean at the age of 40. Here I am at 42, starting all over. I’m, sorta, jobless. Single. I’ve received guardianship of two of my nephews. I’m living with my mom. And did I mention that I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer? You read that right. Cancer. Who decided to add this cherry on top of my sundae?
Let’s go back to February 2024, when I was laid off from my job as Strategic Director of Communications at a PR agency I loved. The news came just as I was about to head out on vacation. I didn’t see it coming. I’d just received a raise, and the owner of the agency had been sharing exciting future plans. Then, five months later, I got a life-changing call from my nephew and his brother asking if they could come live with me. Live with me? I thought. This would take my life in a completely new direction. I would go from occasional “auntie duties” to full-on “mom” responsibilities. But how could I say no? They needed me, and I knew I could help them get refocused in school and positioned for a positive future.
Meanwhile, I put in every effort to find a job—Indeed, LinkedIn, referrals, you name it. I was interviewing, but nothing was landing. I even considered returning to the classroom to teach just to bring in some income. Thankfully, I had enough savings to keep me afloat for a couple more months. But the money was running out... fast.
The pressure mounted daily. I started questioning everything—my life, my purpose, my worth. While I was stepping up as a great TT momma (auntie + momma) to my nephews, the struggles were real. Funds were low, and emotions were high, especially dealing with a nephew who had severe social and emotional trauma. On top of that, the hormonal medications I was taking to keep the breast cancer at bay sent my emotions on a roller coaster ride. Yet every day, I pushed myself to keep moving, trying to believe in my ability to get through it all.
I found solace in small, magical moments. Whether it was watching my favorite TikTok influencers go live from the Disney Parks or listening to my go-to TikTok DJs while cleaning up the mess my nephews left each morning, these tiny respites gave me a chance to reset. They quieted the racing thoughts telling me I wasn’t good enough or that I was failing at life.
I also turned to my faith. I wrote down Bible verses to recite daily, like 1 Peter 2:24 for healing and 2 Corinthians 9:8 for employment. And yes, I even included Psalm 37:4 to believe in God for a husband (come on, Boaz!). I was determined not to give up. I’d come too far and overcome too much. I had goals I still wanted to reach, no matter how overwhelming my circumstances seemed. These were my “magic” moments—the inner fuel I used to keep rebuilding my castle.
I’m curious: What magic moments do you rely on to push through life’s challenges? Share your stories in the comments. They just might help someone who’s struggling.
Also, here is the link to a gratitude journal I created to help shine a light on positive things in your life. Journaling just five minutes a day can really help build a healthy mindset.
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