I began this month by saying November and I have an odd relationship, and true to form, this month showed up to prove my point. But seriously, this past year has been one of the hardest in my life. Now, I’m ready to share a story many of you have been waiting for. Buckle up, grab your drink, and settle in because it’s a long one.
The Ripcord: A Turning Point
It all started last November when I finally pulled the energetic ripcord I had been holding onto for over a year. I’m someone who has to try everything before making a final decision. Or at least I used to be. After this past year, let’s just say I’ve learned the value of proceeding with caution.
The past year has brought me countless lessons—some of them in human form. But I won’t be naming names here because, at the end of the day, the wisdom gained is mine, and those people? They’re now history.
A Hard Decision: November 2023
The decision I made last November set the course for the entire year. It was a type of hard I can’t quite put into words, even now. The tears flowed, and they still do. I thought they’d stop in December, then January, March, and again in June. But they didn’t.
Eventually, I realized it wasn’t just about last year; it was about everything that came before it. This was bigger than I had initially understood.
The Dream Apartment Turns Nightmare
To explain November, I have to take you back to February and March of 2023. It was then I discovered that my dream apartment had a significant mold problem. Over the course of the coming months I would learn it was an even more significant infestation than initially understood. What made things worse was that the elevator in my building was broken for more than 10 months, making it difficult for me, given a physical disability that I don’t often talk about.
Despite the situation, I was locked into a lease, and moving wasn’t an easy option due to financial and housing market factors.
A Fight for Health
Throughout the year, my doctor and I repeatedly contacted the apartment management. The mold issue worsened, and my health, which had already taken several hits, was continuing to show signs of being impacted by the continued exposure.
Fortunately, during the summer, I spent most of my days outside, working in the garden. This allowed me to see the correlation between being away from the apartment and my improved health. (And the inverse.)
During the summer I also was able to find another apartment thanks to some networking, but due to a miscommunication between the husband and wife who managed the property, that option fell through. And, shortly after returning to my old apartment after gardening season, where I spent considerably more time in it, I got severely ill, showing even more clear signs of the mold exposure.
The Breaking Point: November 2023
By November, I knew I had to make a drastic change or risk my life. It may sound dramatic, but if you’ve been following my journey, you know what I mean.
I rented an Airbnb for my birthday, and the first few days were incredible. But as it got closer to time to return home, I was filled with panic. My body felt so much better away from the apartment, and the thought of going back was unbearable. So, I extended my stay. What was meant to be a week-long trip turned into a week, and then two months, because I knew I could never return to that mold-infested place.
Letting Go: Losing Everything
By January, after one final attempt to salvage a few belongings, I was hit with the harsh reality: I had to leave everything behind. After that attempt to go back and get a few things, I got incredibly sick, and my doctor confirmed it was unsafe to return, and I couldn’t take anything with me. That meant losing 95% of my possessions, including things that held significant sentimental value.
Renter’s insurance didn’t cover the mold situation, so I was left with no financial safety net. I couldn’t afford to stop working entirely, which is why I opted for Airbnb stays—they were furnished, and I could continue running my business.
Lessons in Strength and Surrender
This year has taught me the true meaning of strength. Not just the physical or emotional kind, but the spiritual resilience that comes when everything is stripped away. Without the comforts of my home or the security of my belongings, I had to dig deep and figure out who I really was.
When everything began to burn, it all burned. I released not only my physical possessions but also false narratives, false confidence, and people who no longer aligned with my path. Relationships, friendships, and business partnerships all shifted. I was left with a raw, unfiltered version of myself—a spiritual experience like no other.
A New November: What’s Next
And now, here we are at another November. A new chapter is unfolding, and while I’m excited about what’s next, it was important to share this past year with you first. If you’ve made it this far, I hope my story has helped in some way.
So, tell me—what have you learned from this? Sharing this journey, though raw, is my way of helping others, and I hope it resonates with you.