Yesterday marked five years since my divorce was final.
It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, I was standing at a crossroads—feeling lost, unsure of who I was, and uncertain about the future. My life had been turned upside down after my divorce, and I was left to rebuild from the ground up. But today, as I sit here reflecting on the person I’ve become, I can honestly say I’m not the same person who walked away from that chapter. The path I’ve traveled has been filled with self-discovery, healing, setbacks, triumphs, and ultimately, growth. And now, just two days ago, I did something I always dreamed of but never knew how I was going to get there: I published a book.
The first few months (okay more than a few) after the divorce were a blur of emotions. I felt like I was living in a haze, trying to find my footing while the world seemed to keep moving forward. It’s easy to forget how isolating that time can be, and how much courage it takes to take those first steps toward healing. But I did, even when I didn’t know where the road would lead me.
There were moments along the way when I wanted to give up, when I questioned whether I could keep moving forward. But each setback taught me something valuable. I learned the importance of setting boundaries, the power of saying “no” to things that drained me, and the strength that comes from being vulnerable. Slowly, I began to rediscover who I was outside of my marriage, and what truly mattered to me.
And then there was writing. Writing became my anchor. The pages of my book, which is now in the hands of readers, are a testament to the years of introspection, growth, and transformation. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned about myself over the last five years. Writing this book wasn’t just about sharing my story—it was about claiming my power, standing tall in my truth, and offering hope to others who might be feeling just as lost as I once was. There were some incredibly dark moments in those years that challenged me to my core.
Today, as I look at the life I’ve built for myself—one that’s full of purpose, passion, and joy—I’m filled with gratitude for every challenge, every lesson, and every tear (there were so many) along the way. I’ve come a long way, but the journey isn’t over. In many ways, this is just the beginning. So if you’re reading this and feeling like you’re stuck, or that you’ll never find your way back to yourself after a tough season, know that change is possible. It might not happen overnight, but every small step adds up to something bigger than you can imagine. I’m living proof of that, and If I can do it, you certainly can too.
As I begin this new chapter in my life I feel like a kid, full of curiosity and wonder. Looking back, the path I took to get here is so different from the one I’m walking now. In the beginning, my journey felt like a winding road full of obstacles—dark and unclear, with no real map to guide me. I was unsure of who I could trust, where I was heading, or even what I needed in order to heal. Each step felt heavy, and there were moments when I thought I would never find my way out of that fog.
But today, the path I’m on feels so different. It’s lighter, clearer, and filled with purpose. It’s not that the challenges have disappeared, but I’ve learned to navigate them with a deeper sense of clarity and confidence. One of the biggest shifts I’ve made is in the relationships I’ve chosen to cultivate along the way.
In the past, I often felt the need to surround myself with people who were familiar, even if those relationships were no longer serving me. I didn’t yet understand that not all connections are meant to move us forward. In fact, some relationships can hold us back, keep us tethered to old versions of ourselves, or drain our energy when we need it most.
But as I healed, I began to learn the importance of curating the people I allowed into my life—those who supported my growth, lifted me up, and encouraged me to embrace who I was becoming. I realized that in order to move forward, I needed relationships that were built on mutual respect, honesty, and shared values. People who could be a mirror, reflecting back my strength when I couldn’t see it myself.
I sought out friends, mentors, and communities that empowered me to be my truest self. People who celebrated my victories, but also understood my setbacks. They challenged me to go deeper, think bigger, and never settle for less than I deserved. And as I moved through my growth, I became more discerning about the energy I let into my space—learning that not every relationship, no matter how long-standing, was aligned with the direction I was heading.
This shift in the relationships I nurtured has been transformative. It’s allowed me to let go of what no longer serves me and focus on the connections that truly support my journey. Now, I have a circle of people who inspire me, challenge me, and remind me of my worth. Together, we build each other up, and I know that it’s these kinds of relationships that are not only propelling me forward but allowing me to reach new heights in my personal and professional life.
The path I’m on now isn’t without its challenges, but the people I walk it with make all the difference. And I can’t help but feel that the more intentional I am with the relationships I cultivate, the more my path aligns with the person I am becoming.
I wrote a book. I DID IT! And while I was standing in front of a room of amazing women, reading from my pages I was shaking while taking in the moment. My heart is SO FULL!
Xo,
Laura
P.S. If you would like to dig into my whole story, you can find it here: https://myinnerstruggle.com/the-bookshelf/
