I Survived

Book 1

There was a time when I naively believed life was all sunshine and positivity. However, I've come to understand that this is not the case.

When financial difficulties arise, and essential needs like housing become threatened, everything can begin to unravel.

Once this stage is reached, there's often no easy way back. It starts with overdue payment notices, followed by persistent phone calls, and ultimately, an eviction notice.

That's when the harsh reality sets in; it's a critical juncture where one must decide whether to fight for their current situation or move forward.

In my experience, I attempted to retain my home, but unfortunately, the legal process was neither fair nor accommodating.

At that point, I knew that I needed to accept the situation and prepare for a period requiring resilience and unwavering determination to survive my journey of being homeless.

The experience taught me a valuable lesson about financial responsibility. I realized the importance of keeping a financial buffer, especially when facing housing instability.

Looking back, I should have prioritized securing alternative accommodation rather than depleting my entire savings in an unsuccessful attempt to remain in a place I couldn't afford.

This incident reinforced the advice of my friends: never exhaust all financial resources in a single, uncertain endeavor.

Now, I understand the significance of having funds available to proactively secure new living arrangements instead of passively trying to cling to an unsustainable situation.

It wasn’t always this way. Initially, I had a much stronger mindset when it came to managing my finances. Seven years ago, I was in a far better mental and emotional state.

However, due to some unexpected life events, my physical and mental well-being gradually declined. The sudden passing of my father, coupled with the disappointing behavior of family members I had once trusted, was incredibly challenging.

I realized that many people around me were only concerned with their own interests.

I'll never forget the hurtful words my aunt said when we last met, and how she abandoned me as if I didn't matter. She even tried to belittle me when my grandfather fell ill.

At that point, I firmly asserted my worth and emotions. I made it clear that I would continue to thrive, regardless of their presence.

There will come times when you must make difficult choices about who you need and want to keep in your life.

Do not worry about the repercussions of your decisions either, you are making choices that will benefit you no matter what doubts you may have.

Looking back, I am grateful for the journey that has led me to this point. There are decisions I would make differently, but I've come to understand that life has a way of guiding us, even when it feels chaotic.

I believe that the hardships I've faced were necessary for my growth, allowing me to develop resilience and strength.

While the initial period was incredibly difficult, moving from hotels to friends' homes and eventually leaving my state, I am thankful for the support of kind individuals.

Navigating financial uncertainty and the emotional complexities of relying on others was challenging, but it has ultimately made me a stronger and more empathetic person.

The success and goals I've achieved are beyond what I ever imagined. My ordeal wasn't long, but it was enough. It's been a few months since I became homeless, but I've finally managed to make my home a reality again.

I was offered a great job position less than a week ago and plan to start in December 2025. I also successfully secured a place to live, which I plan to move to in the next few days.

I was able to keep my two service dogs and two small geckos safe, healthy, and well-fed throughout this difficult time.

I even managed to stay enrolled in my online college course, which wasn't easy, and I have fallen behind. However, I am planning to make a comeback with it now.

Since I now have time to focus on other important matters that I've been neglecting since I fell on hard times, my journey has been hard and tough, and there were times when I really wanted to give up.

However, I pushed myself to keep moving forward, knowing that once I finally got a stable job, I would be back on my feet.

I would be able to make it again; I have learned great things and met many great people occasionally over the last few months. I took their advice when I could get it and added it to my way of survival.

I am very thankful for what I learned and how this has made me stronger to stand on my own two feet. I know I am now ready to get back into the world and make something great out of myself.

As time goes on and as I continue to do great things, I will look back on this part of my life and remember that, throughout the hardships of life, I was able to say, "I Survived!"

Author: Ta'Sheema Re'Nise Counts