The past few months have been some of the hardest I’ve ever faced, and it feels important to share my story—not just for myself, but because I know many of you might be going through your own struggles, too. Life has a way of throwing curveballs that we’re never quite prepared for, and November was one of those months for me. It was chaotic, painful, and, honestly, just devastating in so many ways.
I went through a breakup, but it wasn’t just the end of a relationship—it was the realization that someone I trusted and cared for deeply had completely deceived me. The betrayal was disgusting, and it left me feeling hurt, and questioning everything I thought I knew about that person. Healing from something like that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of picking up the pieces and figuring out how to trust again, not just in others but in yourself.
On top of the emotional weight of the breakup, I’m also managing my health. I battle with Sjögren’s syndrome, a disease tied to my genetics. It’s something that was passed down to me, and while I can’t change that part of my DNA, it doesn’t make living with it any easier. Sjögren’s affects so many aspects of my daily life—chronic fatigue, dryness, and pain—and some days, it feels like my body is working against me.
Adding to that, I also live with PTSD, which can make even the smallest challenges feel insurmountable. PTSD is like carrying a storm inside you that can be triggered at any moment, and it makes everything—relationships, health, and even simple daily tasks—so much harder. There are days when I feel like I’m making progress, learning how to cope and manage, and then there are days when it feels like I’m right back where I started.
In the midst of all this, I’ve been grappling with grief. Both of my parents have passed away, and there are days when I miss them so deeply it feels like a physical ache. Losing your parents is a wound that never fully heals. It shapes who you are, and during tough times, their absence feels even heavier. There are moments when I wish I could call them, hear their voices, and feel the comfort only they could give.
But as heavy as November was, December came in like a small beacon of hope. It’s hard to explain, but there’s something about the change in energy, the shift in seasons, that feels like a new beginning. It’s not that everything is magically better, but there’s a lightness—just enough to remind me that no matter how hard things get, there’s always the potential for something good around the corner.
I’m sharing this because I know I’m not alone in these struggles. Maybe you’ve been through heartbreak, or you’re managing a chronic illness, or you’re missing someone you’ve lost. Whatever it is, I want you to know that it’s okay to feel all of it—the sadness, the anger, the exhaustion. It’s okay to take things one day at a time.
Life isn’t easy, but there’s something incredibly powerful about finding even the smallest glimmers of hope amidst the chaos. For me, December feels like that—a chance to start over, to breathe, to heal. If you’re in a tough place, I hope you can find your own light, no matter how small it may seem. You’re not alone, and we’re in this together.
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