2024 has been a year of major transformations for me.
From Corporate Life to Solopreneurship
In May, I made a bold decision to leave my corporate role without a backup job. Being the “owner” of a program and team without any real authority became too stifling. So, I dusted off my job search tracker, ready to dive into new opportunities. But with the job market flooded, I felt defeated. Then in July, during yet another morning of applications and endless follow-ups, I stopped and asked myself, “What am I really doing with my life?” That’s when I decided to dust off my business, Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting, instead of pursuing another 9-5 job. You can read more about the mindset shift and my journey here: Not Working from 9-5: My Journey from Corporate to Solopreneurship.
The End of a Decade-long Relationship
In August, I ended a ten-year relationship. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made. Though we’d been through breakups before, this time was different. Instead of searching for a new relationship, I decided to embrace being on my own and focus on self-care and my passions. For the first time, I wanted to experience just being with myself. This journey may take a year or more, but I’m committed to it, despite what others might think.
Rediscovering Myself
By September, I started hitting my stride. My business was taking off, and I felt like myself again. Leaning into the principles I teach, I redefined my health and wellness goals, reconnected with old friends, and even dusted off the things I used to love, like singing and dancing. When October came, the endless cycle of struggle and renewal started to ease, and I began to feel truly at home in my skin, no longer worried about anyone’s judgment.
Liking My Body—For the First Time
For the first time in my life, I began to genuinely like my body—imperfections and all. In my early 20s, I struggled with body image, self-loathing, and yo-yo dieting. When I had my child in 2010 and then experienced a devastating miscarriage in 2013, I committed to a healthier lifestyle and lost 50 pounds. But it wasn’t just about diet and exercise; it was also about cultivating a positive environment and mindset. Since then, my weight has fluctuated, but I’ve learned that progress isn’t always a straight line. Now, I’m on a healthier path, and for once, I don’t just see my body; I appreciate it. I even wear clothes that celebrate rather than hide it.
Finding Joy in Myself, Again
I’ve started to sing, dance, and blog again, and I’m finding joy within myself. With this renewed happiness, I’ve become more open to new, platonic relationships and new experiences, building a vibrant circle of friends. My self-joy is blossoming in ways I never anticipated.
What Others Are Saying About My Life Changes
As I’ve stepped more fully into this new version of myself, I’ve been met with a range of responses—and not all have been supportive. Some see my confidence and self-expression and think I’m seeking attention. I’ve heard things like, “She’s showing off her body to attract someone,” or “What an attention-seeker.” Others question my kindness, assuming there must be a hidden agenda. “How can anyone be so giving without a motive?” they ask, labeling me as two-faced or manipulative.
And because I’m single, a few people have even labeled me “desperate” or “on the prowl,” assuming that every kind word or smile I offer must have some ulterior motive. It’s baffling and hurtful, especially when friends or acquaintances jump to conclusions like these. Recently, I’ve been called attention-seeker, two-faced, and worse—psychotic, sociopathic, and other loaded names designed to make me doubt myself.
What’s difficult about these accusations is that they come precisely when I’m learning to love myself, maybe for the first time in my life. I’m no longer trying to please others or seek validation outside of myself, yet these disparaging comments still sting. They challenge me to stay grounded in my own worth, despite what others project onto me. It’s as if by choosing self-love and embracing who I am, I’ve unintentionally triggered fears, insecurities, or misunderstandings in others.
These reactions could easily make me question my choices, my intentions, and even my own growth. And I’d be lying if I said they didn’t cause moments of doubt. But each time I feel that self-worth waver, I remind myself why I’m on this journey: to live authentically, without apology or the need for external validation. I’m choosing to live a life of integrity, compassion, and joy—whether or not people understand or accept it.
Pushing Through
Becoming myself hasn’t been met with applause. People might resist my evolution, but that’s okay. Instead of chasing approval, I’m focusing on continuing to grow and spreading love back out into the world. To everyone watching my journey, I say: just let me shine.
Have you ever made a life change others didn’t understand? I’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send me a personal message at CoachSamanthaE@gmail.com.
Leaving you support as you continue this journey. There will be those that will be threatened by your new found confidence. That doesn’t mean you are on the wrong track, it means you are on the right one.
Keep going! Happiness is paramount. Don’t be detoured by the fools who just want to tear you down while you’re in your journey! They’re just miserable themselves and it makes them feel better when they can tear others down.