How I lost it all…or did I? My Unplanned Glow-Up

In one week, I lost my job, my mom, and my man. To make this pity party really on and poppin’, three months earlier, only days before my birthday, let’s just say my cat and I went to the cat hospital, and only one of us came back…. If there’s a loyalty punch card for life lessons, I’d like mine fully stamped, please.

After that not-so-fun week + birthday, it was clear to me that God was up to something. I mean, you don’t just hit the trifecta of adulting disasters all in one week and wonder why it happened. You wonder what on Earth He has in store for you now. So I did what any sensible person in my position would do, I asked God a question that I’d later turn into a poll. Enter the ‘What Should Erin Do Next?’ survey (shout out to Side Hustle Pro for the anonymous poll inspo). Because sometimes, those who’ve seen you ugly cry, and still believe in you, reveal qualities in you you didn’t know mattered. So, I asked a few of them for their take on my strengths, weaknesses, times they’ve seen me shine, and what I could give to society. You know, your ordinary, every day, Hey, what’s up? How do you propose I use what I have to change the world? reach-out. Standard grieving cycle stuff. 

My Hype Squad Weighs In

It was humbling and quite beautiful hearing colleagues and friends recount their memories and candid opinions of me, my work, and my gifts. According to my new personal hype squad, I’ve got a few secret powers I didn’t fully appreciate. Here’s the lowdown on their responses (I promise I didn’t pay them): 

• Communication Magic: I make complex ideas bite-sized, and leave people feeling inspired, supported, and heard.
• Complexity Buster: I wrangle messy ideas into something clear and helpful—bonus points for diplomacy and civility!
• Presentations and Creativity: PowerPoint and I go way back, and people say I’m kind of fun to watch when I’m in the zone.
• Empathy Mode: I handle drama maturely, with compassion and an open heart (a.k.a. I keep my cool in chaos and offer solid career advice).
• Leadership: I build universal narratives, mentor and empower others, rally teams like it’s a sport, and advocate for change.

The Funny Thing

Now the funny thing that happened is, after receiving this A+ feedback, I did… nothing. Not that I was doing nothing—I went to South Africa for my dear friends’ wedding and treated myself to a two-week solo retreat in Jamaica—so a girl was plenty occupied. But it wasn’t until two months later, over a seafood lunch with my sister that “something” happened. She suggested I start a blog. What was funny about this is that I had never considered the idea before. I knew I didn’t have the guts to do it, and yet, I knew I absolutely would! What else would give me the freedom and space to mentor, lead, communicate, advocate, and raise awareness on a global scale, using my own words, style, and timeline, leveraging not just my intellect, but my creativity too—basically, all the things my peeps say I’m good at? Yeah, Sis nailed it!

Cool, but why should you care?

Let’s face it, adulting is a blessing but can also be a massive distraction. Between, commuting, hitting project deadlines, getting groceries, gas, and on that Zoom call on time, all in one evening, the grind can steal precious time from simply being. Instead of moving in our purpose, we’re often moving in overdrive, driven solely by responsibility. I’d been a burnt-out caregiver, a fumbling girlfriend, and a discouraged Senior Manager—I wasn’t living life; I was barely surviving it. But when life forced me to hit pause on the noise and truly listen, I found peace in rediscovering who I am beyond Mommy, Bae, and my corporate crush.

The Earth is a place

In the end, it wasn’t about losing everything. By drawing closer to my Heavenly Father and waking the heck up, I was able to find myself again and start living a life I felt good in. Not according to society’s standards of success, but according to my identity in Christ and His assignment for my life. To paraphrase Pastor Stephanie Ike Okafor, the Earth is a place, but the world is a system, and this system isn’t necessarily on our side. It can trap us in a hamster wheel, keeping us busy enough to forget our true selves. In other words, sometimes you have to “lose it all” so God can reveal what He’s building within you. And while this wasn’t exactly on my vision board, there’s something freeing about knowing I’m valuable despite what I don’t have anymore. And that I have value because I exist. That’s a truth I hold close, and so should you.

You’re just leveling up

So, if you’re facing your own personal ‘plot twist,’ know this: you’re not falling apart. You’re just leveling up! Sure, it might feel like you’re stuck in a dramatic reality show right now, but these moments are often the catalyst for growth. Embrace the uncertainty. Remember, iron sharpens iron. Every challenge is just a chance to flex your resilience, to rise stronger, wiser, and more aligned with who you’re called to be.

My journey is evidence of this as I now spend the majority of most days doing things I love—like starting this blog! I’m living proof that loss can lead to beautiful new beginnings. So, as you navigate your journey, hold onto hope. You’re capable of creating something amazing from the ashes of what you’ve lost. Trust that the best is yet to come!

A note from Erin: If these ideas or perspectives resonate with you, I’d love for you to subscribe or share them with someone you care about. If you’re looking to make a change, or when the time feels right, I’m here to help. Check out my new “WORK WITH ME” page to explore how we can collaborate—or swing by my “CONTACT” page to say hello, ask a question, or start a conversation.