“I’m not the one who’s confused — you don’t even know who you are.”
If that line sounds familiar, you’ve probably watched The Lion King.
This week, watching The Lion King for what felt like the tenth time with my kids, that line finally hit me — not just in my ears, but deep in my heart. Like Simba, I’d been feeling lost and defeated, trying to find my footing after a whirlwind summer: a ten-year career gone overnight, a decade-long relationship ending in chaos, and a return to my childhood home to rebuild both my finances and my spirit. The only difference? Unlike Simba, there was no mystical baboon to show me the way back — I had to find it myself.
Some choices were mine — painful but necessary. Leaving my relationship was one of them. Losing my job wasn’t. That one hit harder. It forced me to confront my professional identity and ask: Who am I without the title, the paycheck, the endless to-do list?
I can’t say I’ve figured it all out, but this summer, I learned to be present again — to dig into my roots and rediscover what truly matters. Here’s what I learned.
🌿 1. The Job Loss Was a Blessing in Disguise
Yes, it hurt. Deeply. But looking back, I see how necessary it was for my well-being. The universe made the choice for me because I was drowning — burned out, exhausted, and running on mental overdrive.
Even when I wasn’t physically working, my mind never turned off. I had lost all sense of boundaries, a crucial line that separates life from work.
I missed out on time with my friends, family, and children — always “too busy,” always chasing the next problem to solve. After my relationship ended, I escaped deeper into work because it was the only place I still felt in control. But you can only run for so long before the truth catches up. Eventually, I wasn’t showing up fully anywhere — not at work, not at home, not even with myself.
💫 2. Fear Is Temporary — But Peace Can Be Lasting
The fear of financial instability was just that — fear. It never materialized the way I imagined. I learned to budget smarter, spend less, and cut my costs in half.
Yes, it was hard to strip away the comforts I once justified as “treat yourself.” But in their place, I found something far richer: presence.
There is so much beauty in simply being with your loved ones. Watching my children play — really watching — felt like an immersive experience, not just a scene in the background of my busy life. For the first time in years, I wasn’t worrying about deadlines or layoffs. The worst had already happened, and I survived. Now, I could just be there — fully and freely.
✨ 3. What Looked Like a Setback Was Actually a Sacred Pause
At first, I saw my layoff as punishment. But it was actually a gift — a sacred pause and an opportunity to return to myself.
Through prayer, Bible study, and quiet reflection, I realized my growth wasn’t about becoming more but returning home— to my soul’s foundation.
In a world obsessed with material success and individual achievement, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s real: relationships, connection, and simple moments.
I had the “stuff,” but I lacked depth. I was surviving, not living. And as I reconnected with myself, I rediscovered peace — the kind that doesn’t depend on titles, paychecks, or approval.
⚖️ 4. Balance Is the Real Measure of Success
Of course, I still stress about the future. Who doesn’t? But the difference now is awareness. Stress is part of life — letting it consume you isn’t.
Ask yourself:
- How often do you spend time with loved ones?
- When you do, can you avoid talking about work?
If the answers make you uneasy, you might be edging toward burnout. Whether driven by fear or ambition, it’s easy to let work consume all your mental space.
But the truth is: the future is always beyond our control. Promotions, layoffs, opportunities — they’ll happen as they’re meant to. Our job is to be present today, in both our work and our lives.
🌸 5. Redefining Who I Am
For years, I measured myself by my achievements. But I’ve come to realize: I am more than a title, more than a mother, more than a leader.
I’m someone who finds joy in the changing colors of fall.
Who breathes deeper by the ocean.
Who loves reading on a patio swing while my children discover the world for the first time.
Who laughs deeply with friends and finds peace in cooking and cycling.
I’ve been blessed with the gift of time — time to rediscover what makes me me. I’m still learning, still healing, still finding my voice. But I know this much: my potential is limitless, and my peace is priceless.
💗 My Hope for You
No matter where you are or what season you’re in, I hope you pause. Reflect. Reconnect with yourself.
If you’re merely surviving right now, I see you. I’ve been there. But life isn’t meant to be lived in survival mode — it’s meant to be felt, experienced, and cherished.
You deserve to live in the fullness of the moment, not just push through it.
– Be kind to yourself today, Mila.
Things I’m currently enjoying:
- 📚Forgiving What You Can’t Forget – Lysa TerKeurst
- 📚 NIV Study Bible— Zondervan
- 📚 Letting Go — David R. Hawkins
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