Losing Creativity and Resilience

These last two months have been unbearable... life has thrown me a curveball that I could have never anticipated. My husband’s sudden passing has been an earth-shattering, life-altering experience that left my family and me navigating uncharted territory. It has profoundly affected every facet of my life, including my creativity and my ability to show up regularly for Corporate to Creative. If I’m being honest, it’s felt like a part of my creativity died with him. Writing this post is a small, but significant, step in reclaiming that part of myself.

As devastating as this journey has been, I can see God’s hand in leading me to where I am today. I have always been a career woman, and this year, I made the decision to step back and embrace being a stay-at-home mom—a role that challenged me in new ways but also prepared me for the unexpected. When my world came crashing down, I found myself not only as Mom but also as the provider, the comforter, and the steady presence my children needed. Working as an independent consultant has been my saving grace. It’s given me the freedom, space, and privacy to grieve on my own terms. In this season of profound loss, I’ve realized just how understanding clients can be when you’re running your own business. There’s no guilt about letting down a boss or the pressure of meeting corporate expectations—only a quiet, unspoken agreement to give and receive grace.

The truth is, I was exactly where I needed to be when this unstoppable event unfolded. While God doesn’t override free will, I firmly believe He equips us for the storms ahead. It’s a comfort to know that even in the chaos, there’s purpose and preparation. And while I’ve been distant from this platform, I’m reminded that life is what we make of it.

In the wake of loss, I’ve had to make hard choices about how I spend my time. I could return to full-time work and sacrifice precious moments with my children, or I can work tirelessly to balance being Mom and Dad—and, let’s face it, superwoman on top of it all.

Change, while painful, has given me clarity. It’s taught me the importance of being selective about what I let into my life and what I choose to let go of. We put up with so much that we don’t have to, don’t we? Losing my husband has underscored just how fragile life is and how precious every moment can be. Letting go of the stressors and leaning into the things that make me feel whole is not just a resolution; it’s survival.

As I look ahead to the new year, I’ve set a few intentions for myself. I want to grow my business in a way that honors this chapter of my life, be everything my kids need me to be, and, above all, keep my cool even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Whether it’s dealing with customers or navigating grief, honesty is always the best policy. Life doesn’t come with a handbook, but it does come with choices. My choice is to keep moving forward, for myself and for my children.

I think we will see a wave of positive influences in social injustice and improvements in our medical systems. But for now, let’s pray we don’t lose any lives to a misdiagnosis of medications.

And keep those customers happy! They’ll be loyal to you in the long run, no matter what you are going through.

This year, I will also focus on being a mental health advocate. My goal is to help raise money, volunteer, and even start my own foundation in honor of my husband. There are things we can do to slowly change the stigma and the norms surrounding mental health—we just have to have courage and an army to make it happen.

To those of you who have been following along, I apologize for my absence and thank you for your understanding. Writing this post has reminded me that even in the darkest times, creativity and connection can find their way back. My hope is to show up more consistently and authentically as I continue on this journey. Thank you for being part of it.

Simply,

Me