Rock bottom is a real place. It’s considered the lowest possible place that you can be in life. Sometimes you don’t know you’re there until you emerge from it. It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s lonely. Upon reaching this dark place, you most likely will have to make a choice: Will you fight to survive or will you give up?
I made the choice to fight and I eventually won.
The Entrepreneurial Gene
I believe that I was born an entrepreneur. It’s in my DNA and part of my genetic makeup. For example, at age 12 I had my mom sign up for AVON so I can go door to door selling make up. At age 18 I imported cigar box purses from New York and sold them in the mall. I’ve always been a go-getter and a self-starter. Eventually, I started my own PR company at age 23, while living in Vancouver. I had the drive, I had the ambition and I sure as hell had guts.
Hitting Rock Bottom
In the background, behind the scenes, I was working on mending my soul. As a child of divorce, I developed abandonment issues because of my relationship with my father. I believe my unhealthy relationship with my dad caused unhealthy dating habits.
I learned a few lessons the hard way and in 2011 I found myself fleeing an abusive relationship, temporarily homeless and ashamed of myself. How did I get myself into that situation? I thought I knew better.
The option of returning to Winnipeg was offered to me but I chose to fight for my business and for my Vancouver life. I was determined to make it work. I was determined to bring myself back to life.
I began to channel my ability to be resilient. This was always something that I was and capable of and without realizing it, I was bouncing back.
I hustled hard for clients and made some pretty epic $hit happen in a short period of time.
Bouncing Back
About three weeks after one of the worst moments of my life, I moved into a safe and bright apartment of my own, developed a healthy list of clients for my business, and rediscovered happiness. My soul began to heal and I began to feel like myself again.
This period of my life taught me a raw lesson in resiliency. This lesson translated to my business which in turn helped my company grow and thrive. Us humans all have the ability to be resilient. You can bounce back. We are stronger than we think.
If you are going through a challenging time, try to remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may not feel like it but it’s there.
My word for 2019 is RESILIENT and I will continue to prevail and conquer difficult situations.
I am resilient.
Note: After this experience, I changed my dating habits and now have the most caring and amazing husband who loves me unconditionally (see below). I’ve also reconnected with my dad and we now have a special relationship.
