At the end of 2022, I found myself stuck and feeling hopeless, battling more than just seasonal blues while searching for a new apartment for my son and me.

Somehow, I stumbled upon some videos of people making things with their Cricut machines and they inspired me to start learning more about the craft. It didn't take long for me to decide to gift myself a Cricut Explore 3 as an early Christmas present. Snagging the last one on sale at Walmart, I began my creative adventure. It started with vinyl decals for my vehicle and, after I ordered a new Cricut heat press, quickly grew into a joy for making customized shirts and tote bags- I was hooked.

Soon the unexpected requests from friends and acquaintances to create personalized items, like shirts for a young man's YouTube milestone, added excitement to my newfound hobby.

This marked the beginning of a journey that was about more than just crafting; it was about turning my creative passion into something meaningful and turning my life around in the process.

The creative process became my sanctuary, diverting my focus from my past trauma and swirling negative thoughts. Designing and crafting became a therapeutic escape, lifting the weight of my circumstances and allowing me to explore a brighter path. There really is nothing quite like the power of creativity when it comes to improving your mental health- at least that has been my personal experience.

This was just the beginning. Rediscovering my artistic side, I ventured into the world of video creation on TikTok and YouTube, navigating the learning curve with the help of my son. I knew nothing of video editing or any of the technical stuff, but I dove into it with a beginner's mind and started learning everything I could.

As I turned 32 at the start of 2023, I began to realize the potential of my growing list of newfound skills. I began writing again, exploring dormant passions, and seeing opportunities for a better future. A light was starting to shine at the end of the tunnel, and this time it wasn't the oncoming train.

By early 2023, my mindset shifted, and I contemplated major life changes. Motivated to improve my living situation any way I could after numerous disappoinments during a serious rental housing crisis, I explored the idea of buying an RV.

However, the universe had other plans – a two-bedroom apartment suddenly became available and with a perfectly-timed inquiry my name had finally reached the top of the waitlist, marking a significant positive change. Within two weeks of viewing the apartment and putting in my application, it had been approved, and we moved in to our new home!

I embraced a new mindset and tackled the challenge of changing my life situation and, to my relief, found a new home for my son and me (and Rolly, our sweet little forever kitten). It isn't anything fancy, but it's a place to call our own again at last.

The journey to get here wasn't easy, but it was life-changing, and for that, I am grateful.

Call me delusional, but even though I'm not 100% certain where this new path may take me, I'd choose this new optimism over the hopelessness I felt any day. I'm learning to love life again, finding joy in the little things and exploring new interests. This little life I'm creating feels right to my soul, and I invite you to join me on this journey.

If my story resonates with you in any way, let's embark on a quest to love life, embrace creativity, and build financial freedom.

Through this blog and my YouTube channel, I aim to inspire others to embrace creativity, explore their passions, and achieve financial independence.

I also hope to create a community of like-minded people looking for more out of life while creating a more positive, heart-centered way of living and cheering each other on along the way.

Subscribe to stay updated on the journey and discover what's next. Let's create a life worth living!