My blogging is like a public journal—honest, reflective, and inspired by the twists and turns of my life. From navigating challenges like cancer and career struggles, to mourn and celebrate the “curse” of emotions and finding resilience. I write in the hope that these stories resonate and help others along the way. Writing is therapeutic for me, and with every blog, I aim to connect, grow, and find meaning in the messiness of life.
I welcome any topic suggestions too! My life is an open book. lol
Table of Contents
• Sisterhood: Why We Need More of It• Grief, Strength, and the Unstoppable Spirit of Women• When-Anxiety-Strikes:-Turning-Fear-into-Strength• How I Learned That No Is a Complete Sentence• Do you ever wish you could take your head off—or is it just me?• Beyond Strength: What It Really Means When a Woman Bends but Doesn’t Break• Rushing Less, Living More: My Path to Patience Through Cancer and Pottery• From Corporate Creative to Just Creative: How Layoffs and Cancer Redirected My Life’s Purpose• Breast Cancer: My Journey, My Wake-Up Call• What Is a Normal Life Anyway?
• The Art of Juggling: Balancing Creativity and Business as a Solo Artist• What Am I Worth? Putting a Price on My Art and Myself
• Self-Promotion in the dopamine culture
Why a New Chapter? A Brief Backstory
How do you define the chapters of your life? For me, they fall into big, pivotal moments:
CH 1: Childhood — Just trying to grow up and fit in.
CH 2: My Drinking Years — Yep, a solid decade of heavy drinking.
CH 3: Marriage — A 15-year relationship with a narcissist.
CH 4: Life After Cancer — A new beginning.
On February 6, 2023, I was laid off during an 8% company-wide reduction in force (RIF)
How do you define the chapters of your life? For me, they fall into big, pivotal moments:
CH 1: Childhood — Just trying to grow up and fit in.
CH 2: My Drinking Years — Yep, a solid decade of heavy drinking (wrap college in there too), ending in rehab.
CH 3: Career, Marriage — Corporate life and a 15-year relationship with a narcissist.
CH 4: Life After Cancer — A new beginning.
Chapter 4 began on February 6, 2023, when I was laid off during an 8% company-wide reduction in force (RIF) due to "economic uncertainty"—or maybe it was because of that pro golf sponsorship announced a month later. You decide. It was my second layoff in four years, and it made me question why I give my all to companies that barely notice. In today’s world of constant layoffs, does job security even exist? It hit me hard: and didn’t take long to realized once you're off payroll, it feels like you no longer exist.
Three weeks after the layoff, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a double whammy. The last year was a tough battle, and I had a lot of time to think and allow myself to feel. And while it was easy to spiral (too much thinking can do that), my ceramics became my therapist as I fought through all the things I was facing, and finding my way through all the unknowns.
Cancer has changed me. It shattered the illusion of invincibility I once had and made me realize the true value of friendship, kindness, happiness, and prioritizing my physical and mental health. It’s brought me back to the present and reminded me to be grateful for every day.
These life events have completely reshaped my priorities. Career and money no longer matter the way they used to. My art—ceramics—has become more than a creative outlet; it’s my meditation, my healing process, my passion, and it’s where I belong.
With this clarity, I’ve decided to make my hobby my career, and in July 2024, I officially launched my ceramics business under the studio name of Yo! be nice. I’m now a full-time artist. And for the first time, I feel like I’m truly in charge of my life.