A quick note this week and it might feel a little random. My thoughts are all over the place. Despite my best efforts to get my thoughts to cooperate and fall into some resemblance of an organized formation…I am giving up (or let’s call it “embracing authenticity”). Like so many other aspects of my life…I am simply rolling with it.

I am off to meet my mother and daughter for a little shopping and brunch. It is so easily and quickly forgotten what a luxury such a simple activity is.

My mother reminded me how much stronger our daughter is…she has one week of 7th grade under her belt and stayed at the lake last night without my husband or I. Neither of these thinkable just two months ago.

I was just telling a friend that the last year is starting to feel surreal…like a nightmare you purposefully try and shake from your thoughts or a beautiful dream you work hard to hold onto despite life wanting you to move on.

I am told panic disorders often present quickly (and without warning) and can often resolve just as quickly. Now, we are one year into this story, so I am not sure anyone would say, “that was quick!”. But, once we found and onboarded the right team in July, changes were nearly immediate and results shocking. Shocking not because they were unthinkable, but because we were living a different version of our life for nearly a year…and for our family…it felt longer. I recognize the journey will continue and how we parent our daughter will forever look a little different. I certainly look forward to starting the next chapter with some relief, a great deal of gratitude and a bucket full of self-awareness and determination (because I have already summited a pretty darn tall mountain).

I have recently been blessed with a number of beautifully strong individuals wanting to connect, talk, share and learn. I often take away more from our conversations than I feel I give. But I do continue telling our story, not because it is unique or special…I tell it for others. I am hopeful an individual, family or community might learn something that might make a difference for someone else. I hope they learn as much as I have learned from them and the difference they have made in our lives.

During the conversations I mention above, I am often asked, “How did you do it?”….referencing both my daughter’s mental health and my pivot to small business owner. My answer is simple, “you just do”. You cannot live in fear, you cannot worry about all the “what-ifs”, you certainly need a great deal of faith and trust the ones you love. Now, I am not going to pretend that I did much of this gracefully (my husband and parents would disagree). But, the one thing I can say with confidence based our experience…somehow you always find a way. Whatever your “way” is….embrace it, own it, love it and steer it. Put the “what-ifs” in your back pocket and walk forward with confidence that it will be okay. Because…generally…it is. Do not let fear or circumstance stop you from living your best life.