Let’s get real, life isn’t linear. It’s not some perfectly paved road where you move smoothly from one milestone to the next. Life is messy. It’s full of unexpected twists, detours, highs, lows, and sometimes, just straight-up sh!t. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to fight it or fix it all at once,you can learn to embrace the sh!t and find the strength to move forward.

Take it from me, I’ve seen my fair share of detours. Becoming a quad amputee at 33, my life was completely flipped upside down. I went from navigating my day-to-day as a career-driven, social, fit and healthy woman to facing challenges most people can’t imagine. But one thing became crystal clear, resilience isn’t about avoiding the sh!t; it’s about learning how to live through it.

When life hits hard, we often feel like we need to power through, “stay strong,” or find solutions immediately. But resilience isn’t always about climbing mountains, it’s about surviving the storm in whatever way works for you. Maybe that means:

Not adulting by refusing to shower and staying in your pjs for the day.
Binge-watching a Netflix series and escaping into someone else’s story for a while.
Calling a friend who just gets it, and letting them remind you that you’re not alone.
Having a cry, a good, soul-cleansing cry that washes away the weight you’ve been carrying.
Moving your body, whether it’s a walk, a gym session, or just dancing like no one’s watching in your kitchen.

These moments of self-care aren’t weaknesses; they’re how you adapt and survive when life throws its curveballs.

Here’s the truth, you might not be able to change what’s happening, but you can choose how you respond. Embracing the sh!t doesn’t mean pretending everything is great, it means acknowledging the hard stuff while also looking for those little things that help you get through the day.

Maybe it’s discovering a new passion, building stronger relationships, or just proving to yourself how resilient you are. Even in the messiest, darkest times, there’s a chance to grow.

Everyone’s resilience toolkit looks different, but the important part is finding what works for you. Ask yourself:

What brings me peace?
What lights me up, even on my darkest days?
Who or what can I lean on when things feel overwhelming?

For me, it’s often been about connection, whether that’s sharing my story, leaning on my loved ones or community, or finding humor in life’s absurdity, because yes, even in the worst of it, laughter is a powerful antidote.

Whatever you’re going through, remember, you don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to “fix” the mess. Just take it one moment at a time, lean into the things that bring you strength, and know that it’s okay to embrace the sh!t.

Because life isn’t about having a perfect path. It’s about finding beauty, joy, and resilience in the messy, unpredictable detours.

Embrace the Sh!t: Finding Strength in Life’s Twists and Turns

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