You Don’t Have to Hit Rock Bottom to Change—5 Ways I Chose Growth Instead

Transformation doesn’t always come from hitting rock bottom. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or a single defining moment of collapse. Sometimes, we change simply because we love ourselves enough to want more. More joy. More fulfillment. More life.

My story was never defined by one singular moment. It was a series of small but powerful moments over the years—tiny wake-up calls, quiet realizations, and random Tuesday afternoons where I thought, Wait… is this really it? I had done everything I was “supposed” to do—followed the paths laid out before me, achieved the goals others and I had envisioned for me—but somewhere along the way, I lost my own voice. Until I decided: I want to love myself enough to keep exploring who I can become. Over & over again.

That promise has led me down a road of self-discovery, one that was far from easy but ultimately transformative. And if you’re reading this feeling lost, overwhelmed, or like your life isn’t aligning with who you are inside, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and surprise! The way through it can be fun. 

The Slow Wake-Up Call

I didn’t wake up one day and suddenly feel lost. It was a slow, creeping feeling—one that built over time as I kept pushing myself to fit into roles that didn’t truly belong to me. The exhaustion, the emptiness, the nagging sense that something was missing—it all became too loud to ignore.

Then came the moment (or rather, many moments) when I realized I couldn’t keep doing things the same way. It wasn’t one big, dramatic breakdown. It was more like a series of Huh, this isn’t working thoughts that gradually got louder until I couldn’t ignore them anymore.

The Path to Healing

I didn’t have all the answers at first, but I knew I had to start somewhere. The biggest shift happened when I stopped looking outside myself for validation and started listening to my own inner knowing. Here’s what helped me walk through that period and come out the other side:

1. A Best Friend Who Held Space

I was lucky enough to have a best friend who was on her own journey of self-discovery. We became each other’s lifelines, checking in regularly and asking deep questions to keep learning about ourselves and each other. She introduced me to great books that cracked me open and helped me understand that I wasn’t trapped—I had choices.

2. The Power of Self-Inquiry

Instead of following a checklist of societal expectations, I started asking myself how I actually wanted to feel. I journaled, I reflected, I got brutally honest with myself. The more I asked, the more clarity I gained. My life didn’t have to be about checking off someone else’s boxes—I had permission to create my own.

3. Stepping into Coaching: Helping Others Helped Me Too

I became a life coach, but not because I had all the answers (spoiler: I still don’t). I stepped into helping others because sharing my stories, lessons, and empathy with people who had experienced the same emotions—just in different ways—felt like closure. I ultimately became a life coach because I wanted to show up for people the way my best friend did for me, and to fill in the gaps I had to figure out the hard way. Growing doesn’t have to be lonely. Sometimes, we just need someone to remind us we’re not the only ones trying to figure this life thing out.

4. Holistic Healing as a Challenge

I dove into breathwork, meditation, and yoga—not just to heal but to challenge myself. I wanted to prove that I was stronger than I thought I was. Each time I sat with discomfort instead of running from it, each time I committed to a practice that required patience and self-trust, I realized how much inner strength I actually had. It wasn’t just about relaxation; it was about resilience. Also, deep breathing really does help, even if you roll your eyes the first time someone tells you to try it.

5. Embracing Adventure and New Experiences

I learned that stepping outside my comfort zone wasn’t just about thrill-seeking—it was about rediscovering the joy of being alive. Whether it was planning adventures, or simply trying something new (like the time I accidentally signed up for an aerial silks class and realized mid-air that I have the grip strength of a toddler), I found that the more I embraced life, the more life embraced me back.

The Lesson: Your Power Lies in Choice

Looking back, I realize that my journey wasn’t preparing for an ending—it was an invitation. An invitation to shed the expectations, the conditioning, and the fears that kept me small. An invitation to choose myself, again and again, until my life reflected me.

If you’re in the middle of your own transformation, know this:

You are still becoming.

The discomfort, the uncertainty, the questioning—it’s all part of your unfolding. The key is to trust yourself, to listen to the whispers of your own heart, and to take small, courageous steps toward the life that truly calls to you.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take the first step.

And then another.

And another.

Until, one day, you look in the mirror and see yourself—fully, unapologetically, beautifully you.

If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to help you navigate your own path. Whether you’re craving clarity, growth, or just someone to help you build a method to the madness, let’s talk. You can schedule a free discovery call with me here or dive deeper into self-exploration by joining my Vision Mapping Program—a space designed to help you create a life that truly feels like yours. Let’s make your transformation an adventure, not a struggle.