The past 6+ months have been a whirlwind of change for me. Navigating through life after divorce, dealing with the reality of broken promises left me feeling scrambling to figure out how to take care of everything I needed. Last spring I lost my vehicle due to complications with my ex. Lack of alimony led me to file for bankruptcy due to how much debt I walked away with from my 20 year marriage, and on top of that I had to move. So literally for 4 months, I worked two jobs, 7 days a week plus some doubles, all to be able to afford to buy myself a new (to me) vehicle, pay for filing my bankruptcy, and afford to move. Stepping away from Fearless Femme was an absolute necessity. I was running on E. But things are settling now and I am beginning to return to my dream, Fearless Femme, with renewed passion. This experience has given me new perspectives, and I can’t wait to share these insights with you going forward. Thank you for your patience, and I’m excited to begin to reconnect and share everything I learned and grown through. Plus I have been working on some exciting new projects. Stay tuned to find out more.
A Side Note About Navigating the Shift from Stay at Home Wife to Working Again
Returning to work after a major life change, like divorce, requires balancing emotions, resilience, and a focused mindset. Initially, it felt daunting; stepping back into a professional environment after such a significant personal upheaval. I had worked a major part of our marriage but I had spent the last few years at home, helping my then husband behind the scenes of his business. So going back to work, in a new position, well it brought a set of its own challenges. I didn’t know who I was without being his wife… I had never lived alone as an adult, AND I had to figure out how to pay to live AND pay for the massive amount of debt from my marriage. To say it was a lot is an incredible understatement. I found what helped me through this process was allowing myself to feel and process emotions. Also, giving myself space and grace to have both good and bad days was absolutely essential.
It was in the middle of that unraveling that I started writing what would eventually become my When Everything Changes divorce recovery workbook — the guided space I wish I had when everything felt upside down. I needed something structured, honest, and grounding. So I created it.
The Last 6 Months… What Changed?
Shortly after the divorce was final, I was beginning to really enjoy my independence, my job was going great, I had begun Fearless Femme, and things we’re feeling far less stressful. And then bam!!! No more alimony. I was making pretty decent money on my own but if you know anything about the PNW, it’s incredible expensive to live, especially by yourself. And this left me in another tailspin. What the hell was I going to do?
*Note to self, and to anyone going through divorce. DO NOT LET ANYONE TALK YOU OUT OF GETTING A LAWYER. No matter how amicable the breakup is, or how “nice” of a guy you think he is.
And so, I took on more work and Fearless Femme had to take a backseat. For 4 months I worked 7 days a week, plus doubles in order to get on my feet. And let me tell you, I have a new found respect for those that have to literally work two jobs all year round. I can’t even imagine if I had kids too. And if you are one of those people, or were one of those people, I want you to know I see you and I respect you. <3
I Am So Proud of Myself for How I Have Handled Divorce and It’s Set Backs
Today, as things are settling down, I feel profoundly proud of myself. I bought myself a new (to me) vehicle, got myself into a new home, paid for my bankruptcy and stockpiled a little money so I had a small buffer. I no longer feel like I have to work two jobs and so I have freed up a little more time to work on my passion and my goals. I feel thankful for all that I learned, about myself, about relationships, and about life. And though it was hard, I think that I am a better person today with a more clear outlook of what I want and need and expect going forward.
One thing I know without a doubt about myself is that no one, I mean absolutely no one, is going to hold me down. Even if I get knocked down, I will get back up again. I will fight. Because I deserve it. I deserve the best this life has to offer and I will not stay a victim to circumstance.
Are You Going Through A Rough Season?
I want to pause for a moment and say something that really matters. If you’re walking through a hard season right now, please don’t try to carry it alone. Reach out — to a friend, to family, to someone safe. Let the people who care about you stand beside you. They may not have perfect answers, and they won’t be able to fix everything, but having someone witness your pain can make it feel less heavy.
And if you’ve found your way here, you’re not alone with us either. Fearless Femme exists for women navigating seasons exactly like this. If you need something more structured to help you process what you’re going through, When Everything Changes was created as a gentle, guided space to work through the confusion and rebuild at your own pace.
You deserve support. You deserve steady ground. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
What’s New and What’s Next…
For the last month I have been getting back into my creative space. I have been designing products, making plans for new ones, and trying to figure out the best way to share all that I have learned. In the process of getting the creative juices flowing I decided to start a second Etsy shop, FestiveFemmeCo.Etsy.com. This one will be dedicated to the holidays. Right now it’s only Christmas because well… that’s the season we’re in, but eventually I will be adding products for all the major holidays. Why? Because this girl loves to decorate and to celebrate everything! LOL. And I love doing it in style.
So far the feedback has been amazing so please feel free to check it out. Also, make sure to hit the follow button on BOTH of our Etsy pages so you can stay up to date with all of the new products rolling out PLUS the sales ( I have some great deals planned).
Check out our main Etsy Shop, FearlessFemmeCo.Etsy.com by clicking the link below…
Thank you so much for taking time to read todays blog post. My hope is that I will be able to continue writing and sharing often, as well as grow my Etsy business. I hope you’ll take time to comment below or get connected with us. Find out how to get connected here.
If you’re in your own season of everything shifting — marriage ending, identity changing, life not looking the way you thought it would — my When Everything Changes divorce recovery workbook was created for that exact space. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you process the loss, rebuild your confidence, and move forward with clarity instead of chaos.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to begin.
