I began looking more honestly at my relationships and communities. Some friendships, church groups, and spaces that once felt like home no longer aligned with who I was becoming. I found myself craving deeper conversations, more authentic connections, and relationships where I could show up as my full self instead of always being the person who supported everyone else. Some spaces were built around versions of me that no longer existed, and I had to be honest about that.
Cancer gave me the courage to be bolder and say, “This isn’t for me anymore.” It taught me I needed to make myself my greatest priority. That realization took time, therapy, and intentional work, but I am at peace with it. I don’t want to be alone, and I deeply value meaningful relationships. But if honoring who I am means walking away from spaces in which I must abandon myself to belong, that’s a choice I’m willing to make.
Setting my sights on a different path
My treatment officially ended on December 30, 2021, and as someone who’s always been passionate about New Year’s, setting goals, and intentionally planning my future, it felt like the perfect time to get specific about the life I wanted.
In January 2022 I started dreaming about a new life and setting goals for myself postcancer. After such a life-alteringing experience, I approached my resolutions with more intentionality. I became more thoughtful about setting boundaries and evaluating whom and what I wanted surrounding me.
This became an annual tradition. Each year I took more action, refined my goals, and updated my vision for how I wanted my life to look. The magic wasn’t in one big, life-changing moment. It was in the small steps, daily habits, and intentional choice to seek joy at all costs. Some wins were big, but most were small. Over time those small wins added up to a life I was proud to be building.
