I didn't find my 'why'

My 'Why' found me.

Trigger Warning: Today’s post and others in the coming weeks will dive into topics of loss, grief, suicide, self-harm, mental health, pregnancy loss, among others. Please exercise self-care.

Hey there,

I’m glad you’re here. Sometimes putting thoughts out into the world leaves me wondering if anything makes a difference. Then I get a sign or an actual message, often from a perfect stranger, and I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Last week I shared what I thought was a throw away post on about time management. Within a few hours I got a direct message from a mother I don’t know, from half way around the world. She shared such a personal story that it stopped me in my tracks.

She was navigating the complex world of advocating for resources for her 10 year-old son. Not resources for extra school help or a private soccer lesson, resources to help him recover from suicidal ideation. TEN YEARS OLD. She shared that she had been putting off all the paperwork because it was so emotional for her and my post gave her the push to just get it done.

It broke my heart to think about how our systems make us jump through hoops, yet moved me to the core that she trusted me to share her story.

Her story and that of many others have come together to compel me toward my purpose: to build resilience among women and teens.

A friend’s niece. A co-worker. A friends’ father. A classmate of my daughters. Countless professional connections. A too-close-to-home family member. It seems no one is left untouched.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally.

I have become frustrated with 'thoughts and prayers’ and throw away phrases like, “you just never know what someone is going through.”

While I’m working hard to create tools and programs for adults first, teams next and ultimately my most important audience - teens, it’s through sharing stories of struggles, mine and others, that I hope to create space for others to share theirs.

Not the stories of people who have already conquered the world in the traditional sense. I'm interested in the ones of the people who are still going through it. The 'messy middle', the real-life.

We’ll dive into huge setbacks, the seemingly little ones that trip us up on a daily basis, and everything in between. I hope you’ll join me along the journey to listen, learn, support, de-stigmatize and ultimately, revolutionize what it means to be resilient.

PS. If you have a story to share, please reach out. You will make a difference.