How a Blog Born from Heartbreak Led to a Life of Connection and Purpose

Sixteen years to the day, my marriage IMPLODED. The details are known by many, but I didn’t always share what was going on in my writing because:

1. I was a mess.
2. I had young children to think of.

Curtains Are Open… this blog… was born out of the ashes of my divorce. I needed a space to find myself again. My journal was too dark, too ugly, and too isolating. Writing publicly gave me a way to process my experiences, focus on the positive, and begin to figure out who I was as a 40-year-old woman starting over. It became my lifeline.

How Curtains are Open Changed My Life

At the time, my divorce was as public as it was messy. The rumors, the misinformation, the pitying glances when I went anywhere socially – it was suffocating. With the encouragement of my counselor, I started this blog as a way to take back control of the narrative. I wanted to Open the Curtains of my life, letting people see that while we weren’t “great,” we were OK. My kids and I were rebuilding our lives, step by painful step.

What I didn’t share in my writings at the time… because it was far too raw… was that my husband had left our marriage to start a life with one of my best friends. The betrayal felt insurmountable, not just for me, but for our entire circle of friends and family. Everything I thought I knew felt like a lie. I questioned absolutely everything as my faith and belief in love had been shattered

Little by little and with support from a great many people, I began to climb out of that darkness.

Writing became my healing. My vulnerability, my authenticity… putting myself out there… allowed me to find the person I’d lost. Some posts were so raw they left me reeling, while others were light and fluffy, offering a reprieve I desperately needed. But every single post served a purpose… I wrote, because I had to.

What This Blog Has Given Me

While I started this blog to jot down a few stories, it gave me far more than I ever could have imagined! Through this blog:

• I built a community and began working as an “influencer”, posting stories that… much to my amazement… hit viral numbers.
• I wrote and self published a book.
• I worked with both local and national brands that allowed me to represent their products, by simply being me.
• I created a local blogging group that continues to support our local community of content creators.
• I returned to school with so many of you cheering me on… then began working as a Graphic Designer where my very first clients were followers of this blog.
• I created the “Things we Love About You” piece for my Dad’s 70th birthday (he’s soon to be 82) and in writing a post about it, have sold well over 5,000 custom pieces to date through my Etsy and Shopify accounts.
• I rediscovered my voice and confidence, finding strength in sharing my story authentically.
• I connected with readers around the world, forming bonds with strangers who became friends.
• I was invited to speak on morning television, at events, and on panels about blogging, vulnerability, and storytelling… inspiring others to share their own journeys.
• I became a trusted voice in my community, known for both my honesty and my humor.
• I documented not just the hard times, but the joy, growth, and beauty of starting over.
• I inspired others to chase their dreams, whether it was starting their own business, going back to school, or simply finding the courage to begin again.
• I met Alix and together we launched a podcast about imposter syndrome, exploring how it affects women and sharing stories to inspire confidence and self-belief.
• I taught myself new skills like website management, social media marketing, and content creation… all of which have shaped my career today.
• I gained the courage to open myself up to new opportunities, knowing that vulnerability could lead to incredible rewards.
• I proved to myself and others that you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference… you just have to show up and be real.

Does Curtains are Open Still Fit in My Life?

Curtains are Open provided the launching pad for me to re-discover who I was but for the past few years, I’ve been a little unsure of whether or not it still had a place in my life. Until now, I hadn’t written a blog post since 2023, and while I started a few drafts with the intention to revisit it… to start over… nothing ever seemed to fit. In many ways, I had moved my storytelling to social media, with Instagram becoming my platform of choice. I show up there often, sharing bits of my life through stories and posts, connecting with people in real-time. But still, the blog sits here, quietly waiting, like a friend I’ve been meaning to call but haven’t quite found the words for.

The thing is, there’s still so much to write about… it’s just different now. Life has evolved, and so have I. My kids are grown, my focus has shifted, and the world of blogging feels far removed from where it was sixteen years ago. But at its core, this blog has always been about sharing my journey… through the messy, the joyful, the transformational. And while my life may look different now, the stories are still there. They’ve just been waiting for the right moment to be told.

Shifting Focus: From Blogging Mom to Social Media Strategist

So, going forward, Curtains are Open will have a fresh perspective. I’ll use this space to share more about what I’m doing now as a social media strategist… working with women to help them put themselves out there in ways that feel authentic and true to their brand. I’ve learned so much from my journey, and I want to help others embrace theirs. Vulnerability and authenticity have always been at the heart of my storytelling, and I’m passionate about encouraging others to do the same in their own lives and businesses.

In addition to sharing my professional experiences, I’ll also continue to weave in stories about my personal life. From navigating life as an empty-nest mom, to the adventures of running my own business, there’s so much to explore. Plus, I’ll dive into the conversations I’m having on my podcast about imposter syndrome… a topic that resonates deeply with me and so many others.

This blog has always been a reflection of where I am in life, and now, it’s evolving to reflect this next chapter. I’m excited to continue the journey with all of you… sharing stories, lessons, and inspiration along the way.

As always, the curtains are open.