When we moved to South Africa, it wasn’t my first time starting over—I’d been through relocations before. I knew how to navigate new schools, new systems, new lives. But this time, it felt different. I had just completed my master’s degree and left behind exciting career opportunities. While I kept everything running smoothly for my family, inside, I felt like I was coming undone.

The days blurred into a relentless cycle of settling everyone else while ignoring my own needs. I told myself this was just how it was supposed to be, that my sacrifices were part of the deal. But the cracks were starting to show, and my body was bearing the weight of it all.

Then came the diagnosis—Rheumatoid Arthritis. The pain was excruciating, and it was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore. It forced me to confront a hard truth: I couldn’t keep putting myself last. If I didn’t take the time to prioritize my health, my fulfilment and figure out what I wanted, I was on track to becoming a bitter, resentful shell of myself.

That moment of clarity changed everything.