When I started the #YouGotThis: Follow the journey blog I really wasn’t sure of what would come out of it.  All I knew was I wanted women to hear my simple message; “you do have a choice in what happens with your future.”  It was an idea that started one night over the summer with one person in mind and next thing I knew there were ten amazing women on the panel of this project.  Each woman let down their guard and openly shared their journey of hardship and heartache with me.  They are so unique and their stories are a composite of similar experiences of so many others out there.  I’ve had women reach out over the past weeks to let me know how these stories have resonated with them personally.

Ten weeks went by quickly and I’ve been asked how I’ll be continuing with this blog.  This was a project that was special and close to my heart and for now this is where it will end.  My goal was for the audience to be able to connect with the women and find hope in what’s been shared.  As I reflect, I realize how much I’ve grown and learned myself from each and every story along the way.

As this blog was announced and the stories were published week after week, I went through some shifts in my own life.  I let go of the comfort of having a full time job that I was married to and transitioned into following my passion and building my career as a therapist and life coach.  This past summer Emerge- The Counseling and Coaching Center came to life.

With this change came better management over how I want to live my life and raise my family.  I’m now spending more quality time with my husband and children and able to focus on giving them the attention they need.  I’ve found truth in the saying “money can’t buy you happiness.”  My success is bound to the smiles I see on my children’s faces and the sounds of their infectious laughter.  Relationships are beginning to be redefined as I maintain a healthy distance from some and rebuild others.  I’m doing what’s best for my quality of life each day.

In November, I experienced the loss of a former colleague who had been a mother figure to me at work.  I had spoken to her the week before she passed and as usual I told her we would make plans to get together for lunch.  Her response to me was “Looking forward to it my warrior,” a name she often referred to me with.  That lunch never happened and I can’t turn back time to make it happen.  We only get to have one chance to live each day.  You can’t go back to yesterday and have a “do over” so strive to make each day your best day and look forward to the next day.

We are all warriors and we can all overcome hardships and struggles.  Keep your focus and define your relationship with yourself to understand your worth.  Learn to reflect more and regret less. This will help your growth towards your future and let you live your best day each day.

To all the women who participated in this series, my sincerest gratitude.  You all are a true inspiration to women everywhere.

Thank you for following the journey.

Best,
Tanvi Mathew, MS, LPC

Emerge- The Counseling & Coaching Center