When I got divorced at 42, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. I had spent the last 15 years being someone’s partner, someone’s caretaker, and a mother. In the process, I had put my own dreams on hold. My husband and I had grown apart, and I knew in my heart that we were no longer the couple we once were. I decided it was time to leave and start over, but it wasn’t easy. The guilt, the uncertainty, and the fear of the unknown weighed heavily on me.

But what I discovered after the divorce was something incredible: the chance to finally focus on myself. I went back to school, rediscovered my love for painting, and started working on my health. I realized that life didn’t have to be defined by my relationship status. I could create a life that was fulfilling, meaningful, and independent.

Divorce wasn’t a failure—it was a step towards a new life. It gave me the opportunity to reinvent myself, to pursue the things that mattered to me, and to build a future that was truly mine. Looking back, I am grateful for the courage it took to walk away. Today, I’m more confident, more independent, and happier than I ever thought possible.