The Journey to She Owns Her Day: My Story of Growth & Empowerment

As the creator of She Owns Her Day, I’ve often been inspired by the stories of other women who’ve faced challenges, embraced growth, and created lives they love. Today, I’m sharing my own story—one of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. My hope is that it inspires you to pursue your dreams and thrive, no matter where you are on your journey.

My Journey: How It All Began

I grew up in a small town on the outskirts of Houston, TX, always dreaming of city life. After graduating from college during an economic downturn, I faced a tough job market and took on temporary jobs that had nothing to do with my major. From working the front desk of a hearing aid company to unpacking recalled knives at a Walmart warehouse, my post-college life was far from glamorous—but I made it work.

Eventually, I decided to go back to school to study Human Resources, a decision that transformed my career and my life. During graduate school, I fell in love and got engaged after a magical proposal in Paris. But as we planned our wedding, I began questioning whether this relationship truly aligned with my happiness and future. Ultimately, we decided to part ways.

This was one of the hardest periods of my life. I had to rebuild from scratch, facing mornings when even brushing my teeth felt like a victory. What helped me heal? My close-knit family and a group of incredible women I met through a Meetup group who reminded me how to find joy in life again. That experience set the stage for my next adventure: moving to Washington, DC.

Overcoming Challenges & Embracing Growth

Rebuilding my life in DC was both exciting and challenging. I was proud of my courage and openness to new experiences, but over time, the hustle-and-grind culture of the city began to wear on me. I found myself burnt out and questioning the ambitious goals I once held close.

A failed relationship, heavy workload, and ongoing bullying from a difficult co-worker pushed me to take extended leave from work to focus on my mental health. During this time, I leaned into therapy, solo travel (visiting Mexico, Portugal, and Costa Rica), and self-care practices like journaling and yoga. These experiences not only healed me but also deepened my connection with myself.

I’ve come to know that life’s challenges are opportunities for realignment. When we listen to those inner nudges and make space for self-reflection, we open ourselves to growth. Some relationships fell away during this time, while others grew stronger. Most importantly, I learned that the most important relationship is the one I have with myself.

What Success Means to Me

For me, success is about honoring my soul’s purpose as often as possible. It’s not about perfection but about staying aligned with practices that ground and fulfill me. When I feel anxious or disconnected, I turn to journaling, yoga, nature walks, or even something as simple as drinking water and eating nourishing food.

Success also means freedom—financial freedom and the ability to enjoy my time. One of my proudest accomplishments is paying off nearly $65,000 in student loan debt. It took 16 months of discipline and focus, but it showed me how capable I am of achieving big goals. This journey also inspired my family and friends to think differently about their finances, which was incredibly rewarding. To learn more about the story behind how I paid off my student loans quickly, check out this post.

Self-Care Practices That Keep Me Grounded

Self-care is the foundation of everything I do. With time, I’ve learned that I am my source for calm, peace, and truth and so I never have to look outside of myself for these things. Here are my go-to practices:

• Yoga and breathwork for grounding and mindfulness.
• Journaling to process emotions and clarify goals.
• Nature walks for reflection and rejuvenation.
• Morning playlists to start my day with motivation.

These routines help me reconnect with my body and intuition, allowing me to stay aligned with my purpose. Although I know they seem simple, they have been powerful commitments I choose to make to myself and the results have been life-changing.

Inspiration & Advice

• Who or What Inspires Me Most? In many cases, the most impactful people in my life have been women, black women. Women who embrace their authenticity and lead with courage will always leave me inspired. I think about my mom, Issa Rae, Michelle Obama, Clarke Peoples, countless friends and women I’ve crossed paths with who have learned to walk in their power, unapologetically. There is an essence about these women that inspires me to walk taller and be proud of my own essence. They love themselves, prioritize themselves, and encourage other women to do the same. These are the kinds of women who inspire me most.
• Advice For Women Creating Lives They Love: Be patient with yourself but fiercely committed to your goals. Take small, intentional steps towards building a life that resonates with your soul’s calling. It may not meet societal expectations, but it will feel true to you. Give yourself grace, and always prioritize your well-being.
• What I’d Tell My Younger Self: Trust your intuition. No one’s voice should be louder than the quiet whisper that’s always inside you. In its truest form, it loves you, wants to protect you, and already knows what’s best for you. Ignore it at your peril. Trust it and you will come to find that life is always unfolding for your benefit.

Fun & Personal

• A fun fact about me: I love solo traveling domestically and internationally and each trip has taught me something new about myself.
• My favorite personal growth/self-care tool: I’m not sure if they automatically qualify as a self-care tool, but, my AirPods Pro. I always have them with me and use them to listen to audiobooks, inspirational music and podcasts. The noise cancellation feature also comes in handy when I’m in public and want to enjoy silence with no audio! For more info on self-care products I love, check out our Recommendations page.

How She Owns Her Day Was Born

The idea of She Owns Her Day began brewing during the pandemic in 2020. As I navigated personal challenges and the uncertainty we all faced during COVID, I created a vision of who I ultimately wanted to be – a woman who felt powerful, self-certain, and grounded. The vision for She Owns Her Day started as a personal one. I knew that if I could realize that vision for myself, I would want to help other women do the same. 

The name She Owns Her Day is an affirmation and reflects the mission at its core: empower women to take charge of their daily lives, one small but intentional step at a time. Whether it’s through self-care practices, practical advice, or sharing inspirational stories, I want this blog, She Owns Her Day to be a reminder that every day is an opportunity to design a life you love.

When I started, I was motivated by the stories of women who had overcome adversity, pursued their passions, or found ways to balance wellness, creativity, and ambition. I thought: Why not share these stories in one place, along with tips and tools that have helped me thrive? My goal is simple—to create a hub of inspiration for women ready to grow, heal, and thrive in their own way.

This blog is a reflection of my journey, but more importantly, it’s a resource for every woman out there who is ready to own her day and her future. My hope is that it gives women the courage to take the next step, whatever that looks like for them.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Like most, my journey has been one of ups and downs, but every step has brought me closer to living authentically and purposefully. I hope it inspires you to take steps toward creating the life you truly desire.

If my story resonates with you, I’d love to hear yours. Share in the comments or reach out if you’d like to be featured in an upcoming She Owns Her Day post! Together, we can inspire and uplift one another.

XO,