It’s been a few months since I last wrote here — not because I forgot, but because I needed space. Space to breathe, to focus on self-care, and to finally sit with my emotions instead of running from them.

Back in July and August 2025, I found myself helping a friend escape a DV situation. I went into it with a full heart, wanting to do the right thing… but somewhere along the way, things went wrong between us. That experience cracked something open inside me. It taught me the hard but necessary lesson of boundaries with respect — for others and for myself.

For the first time, I really started to understand me — how my emotions move, how my brain works, and how my instincts whisper the truth when I choose to listen. I began to notice all the red flags I used to brush off. And when I realized that being around this friend was draining my energy more than nurturing it, I made the hardest choice: to walk away. I spoke my truth directly and decided not to stay in their life. It hurt, but it was freeing.

In the middle of all that emotional chaos, something surprising happened — I applied to graduate programs. Gallaudet. ASU. UMD. University of Hawaii. I poured my focus into something that belonged entirely to me. When the acceptance letters started rolling in, I felt alive again. I chose ASU’s MA in Special Education because online learning fits my world — teaching in person by day, studying by night. This time, I’m building my path intentionally, brick by brick.

And yet… there’s still this quiet place in my heart that wonders when Jenna and I will finally sit down to talk about the divorce. I’ve made peace with the fact that I want it, but I’m not heartless — I still care deeply about her. I know she needs health insurance for her MS, and part of me still feels responsible, even as I let go.

But here’s the truth: I feel something now that I haven’t felt in a long time — peace. Real, inner peace. I’m finally learning that moving forward doesn’t mean I stop caring; it just means I’m choosing myself this time.

So yeah… this is me, stepping forward into my next chapter. Still tender, still learning, but finally — ready.

Questions for You:

1. Have you ever helped someone and realized it taught you more about yourself than you expected?
2. How do you recognize when it’s time to set boundaries — and how do you stick to them?
3. What does “moving forward” mean to you right now in your own life?
4. Have you ever found peace in a decision that once scared you?

---