The “Yes” That Changed Everything

There are moments in life when saying yes feels less like excitement and more like standing at the edge of something you are not sure you are ready for.

New Year’s Eve, 2019, was one of those moments for me.

I was newly separated and quietly planning for a divorce. I had just moved myself and my kids out of what I thought was our forever home and into the top floor of a house. I had a broken foot. My work life was an amalgamation of multiple part-time jobs after a traumatic career shift just a year before. Nothing felt stable. Everything felt tender.

That night, surrounded by a couple of families who were seasoned Walt Disney World pros, I decided I was going to take my kids to Disney the following year, for New Year’s Eve.

Just saying it out loud felt overwhelming.

Choosing Joy Without a Perfect Plan

I had no clear plan for how to make it happen. I knew it would cost at least $10,000. Money I absolutely did not have.

I did the math anyway.

If I wanted to make this trip happen, I would need to book at least twelve births (as a doula) that year so my other income could go toward basic bills, savings, and keeping us afloat.

It felt irresponsible. Unrealistic. A little unhinged, honestly.

And yet, I said yes.

Not because my life was calm.
Not because things were settled.
But because I had this deep, quiet knowing that we needed something restorative.

Something joyful.
Something that reminded us that life could still be magical, even while everything felt uncertain.

Why This “Yes” Mattered More Than the Trip

I had only been to Walt Disney World once or twice as a child. I really did not know much about Disney vacations.

What I did know was this: I wanted to prioritize experiences. I wanted my kids to see the world. I wanted them to learn early that hard seasons do not cancel out the possibility of joy.

And maybe just as much, I needed to prove it to myself.

The weeks that followed surprised even me. In the six weeks after making that decision, I booked fifteen births.

Fifteen.

That “yes” unlocked something. A clarity. A determination. A trust in myself that had been shaken by so much change.

The idea of taking my kids on such a big trip alone still terrified me. I worried about logistics, safety, and whether I was biting off more than I could chew.

But underneath the fear was something steadier.

If I could do this, we could do big, scary things in the name of joy.

When the Outcome Changes but the Yes Still Counts

Then the world changed.

When COVID-19 hit that spring, everything shifted. The trip did not happen the way I imagined it would.

But that “yes” still mattered.

Instead of fireworks at Disney, that money became the down payment on a house. A home I purchased on my own. An absolutely gorgeous view into the sunset over trees that change with the seasons, and even a small lake where a pair of bald eagles now live full-time. A place where my kids could grow up feeling safe and grounded after a season of so much change.

Looking back, I realize Disney was never the point.

The yes was.

Saying Yes to Yourself After Everything Shifts

That “yes” was me choosing myself after my life had changed in ways I never expected.

It was me choosing joy before everything felt fixed.
It was me allowing myself to imagine something beautiful when it would have been easier to stay small, practical, and cautious.

That moment taught me something I carry with me still.

You do not say yes because you are ready.
You say yes because you are willing.

Willing to trust yourself.
Willing to move forward without all the answers.
Willing to believe that joy is not something you earn after surviving hard things, but something that can help you survive them.

Why This Matters Here

This philosophy is at the heart of everything I do.

In my coaching, consulting, and community work, I see it over and over again. People are waiting. Waiting for clarity. Waiting for confidence. Waiting for life to calm down before they let themselves move forward.

But growth does not usually begin with certainty.
It begins with a yes that feels a little scary and deeply honest.

This space exists for people who are navigating change, rebuilding after loss, reimagining their lives, or simply wanting more without knowing exactly what that looks like yet.

You do not need to have it all figured out to take the next step.
You just need to be willing to say yes to yourself.

An Invitation to Say Yes Now

If you are standing in a season that feels uncertain, messy, or unfinished, I want to ask you something.

Where are you waiting to say yes until life feels safer?

Sometimes the yes does not lead where you think it will.
Sometimes it leads somewhere even more grounded, more aligned, and more right.

But it almost always leads you back to yourself.

If you want to explore this more, with me as your guide, I’d love to connect. Reach out, and let’s schedule a time to talk.