Finding Hope In The Darkness

There was a time in my life when every step forward felt like sinking into quicksand. Each day brought new struggles, and life felt like a never-ending storm. My middle daughter’s cancer diagnosis was the breaking point—a tidal wave that threatened to drown me entirely. I remember sitting in her hospital room, the hum of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic surrounding us, wondering how I would ever find my way out of this darkness as my daughter lay there near lifeless.

At that moment, I felt utterly lost. Every ounce of hope seemed to have evaporated, leaving behind an empty space that seemed impossible to fill. I wasn’t sure how I could be the rock my family needed, or even how I could keep moving forward. The weight of it all felt suffocating.

A TIME OF CHAOS

But it wasn’t just her illness. At the time, we were newlyweds, just beginning our journey together. Life should’ve been exciting, full of promise, but instead, we were already in the midst of a whirlwind. We had just found out we were expecting another baby, a blessing we were thrilled about, but it added more stress to an already overwhelming time. I was juggling the demands of being pregnant, navigating nursing school, and trying to manage the emotional weight of the situation.

On top of all of that, my mental health was deteriorating. I had been struggling for a while, feeling like I was sinking under the pressure. The financial strain from medical bills and the uncertainty of the future felt like a storm cloud that never stopped hovering over us. I found myself questioning how we would make it through, wondering if things would always be this hard. Would we ever catch a break?

We had just started our life together, dreaming about the future, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that our dreams were slipping away. All I could see was a never-ending cycle of hardship, one chapter after another. Every time we took a step forward, it felt like life pushed us two steps back. How could we survive this?

WHEN YOU FEEL AS IF THERE IS NO WAY OUT

If you’re reading this and feel like you can’t catch a break, I want you to know—you are not alone. I understand what it feels like to be in the dark, where all hope feels lost, where each day brings more struggles than the one before. When it seems like life keeps throwing obstacles your way, and no matter how hard you try, things never seem to get better.

I know what it’s like to feel like you’re stuck in a tunnel with no light at the end. To question if there’s any point in trying anymore because every ounce of strength feels like it’s already been spent. It can be hard to find hope when it feels like the universe is against you, and you’re running on empty. I’ve been there, and it feels like there’s no way out.

But here’s what I learned: the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t always come to you. Sometimes, you have to find a way to create it yourself.

CREATING YOUR OWN LIGHT

In those dark moments, I found myself searching for something—anything—that could help me feel like I was still in control. That’s when I started creating. I had no idea that something as simple as making a painted sign or glittering and designing a tumbler would become my saving grace, but it did.

At first, I wasn’t focused on creating something perfect. In fact, it was the imperfection of it all that helped me find peace. The process of painting or crafting gave my mind a break from the chaos. It became my escape. With every brushstroke, I let go of a little more of the overwhelming pressure I was carrying. I could pour out my pain in a way that words couldn’t express. And slowly, over time, I began to feel a sense of relief.

I didn’t realize it then, but those small, creative moments were rebuilding me. They gave me the space I needed to heal, little by little. The weight of the world didn’t disappear, but it became lighter as I created. I realized that the act of creating wasn’t just about making something physical—it was about finding something within myself that could keep going, even when everything around me seemed to be falling apart.

FINDING STRENGTH IN THE DARKNESS

As I kept creating, something unexpected happened. I started to find strength I didn’t know I had. It wasn’t sudden, and it wasn’t easy, but each small victory helped me see the strength that had been buried deep inside me all along.

That’s the thing about life’s struggles—they force you to dig deeper than you ever thought possible. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, a journey that takes time. And along the way, you’ll discover things about yourself that you never knew were there.

If you’re in that dark place right now, please know this: even when it feels like you have nothing left, there is still something inside you that can keep going. Maybe it’s the love you have for your family. Maybe it’s the hope that someday things will get better. Or maybe it’s just the smallest spark of curiosity about what your future might hold. Whatever it is, hold onto it. Nurture it. It will be your anchor when everything else feels uncertain.

GIVING YOURSELF GRACE

It’s easy to beat yourself up when you’re in the midst of a struggle, especially when the world feels like it’s falling apart. But here’s the truth: survival is its own victory . Just getting through each day is a win. And in those moments, you have to give yourself grace. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going, even when it feels impossible.

The tunnel may feel endless, but the truth is that even the longest tunnels have an end . If you can’t see the light yet, knowthat you can still create it. Take things one step at a time. Celebrate the small victories, and know that each day brings you one step closer to the light you’re searching for.

LIFE AFTER DARKNESS

As I sit here today, writing this blog, I can tell you that life isn’t perfect—but it’s mine. I’m building a dream I once thought was impossible. I own a boutique that blends my passion for creativity with my desire to help others who are struggling with mental health. I’ve found strength I didn’t know I had, and I’ve learned how to find joy in the small moments again.

The laughter of my children, the warmth of a morning coffee, and the satisfaction of finishing a design—these are the moments that remind me that life is beautiful, even in the midst of the chaos.

If you’re struggling right now, please know that there’s a way out. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. And if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, I want to remind you that you are the one who can spark 

TODAYS TAKEAWAY: "Even the longest tunnels have an end. And if you can’t see the light yet, be the one to spark it."