If Life Is Hitting You Hard Today, This Is for You!

And might I say - this is not just a story. This is my lived experiences!

At just 16, barely stepping into the first chapter of my youth, my father killed my mother, then took his own life. To say my world changed is an understatement. Still, I persevered and completed my junior degree on time.

At 19, just as I was beginning to find my footing again, life struck once more – I contracted HIV. I was devastated. For a time, I felt completely defeated. But I didn’t give up. Against all odds, I went on to complete my honours degree under incredibly challenging circumstances.

And life didn’t stop testing me.

I went on to experience the reality of bankruptcy, followed by multiple chronic medical diagnoses. Each challenge pushed me to the edge, testing my strength, my faith, and my will to carry on.

But still, I survived. I learned. I became resilient.

And ultimately, I have found my life beyond every single setback I’ve faced.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because I believe you, too, have the power to live beyond the pain, the diagnosis, the grief, and the setbacks.

Here are a few truths I’ve learned along the way:

• When it comes to health and food:

  You don’t need to be a chef - but you must know what you’re eating. Food is your energy and your daily protection. Treat it with the same respect you give your medication.

• When it comes to medication:

  You don’t need to be a doctor or pharmacist - but you should know what you’re taking and why. Understanding your treatment empowers you to notice when something isn’t right.

• Privacy is your right:

  You don’t have to share your story with everyone. But do build a support system. Isolation can deepen your struggle, while connection can lighten the load.

• Don’t deny your reality:

  Pretending it’s not happening won’t make it go away. Seek out support, solutions, and stories from others walking a similar path. Healing often begins in shared experience.

• Don’t adopt a victim mindset:

  Seeing yourself only as a victim can blind you to the strength you already have - and the possibilities still ahead.

So, don’t stop living just because life happened.You’ve already fought so hard to get here. That strength? It’s in you. It’s always been in you.

You can live beyond.