When Life Hit Pause: The Summer That Changed Everything

Summer of 2019 hit me like a freight train.

I was diagnosed with cancer—and I was completely shocked to my core. It felt impossible. I had always considered myself fit and healthy, though admittedly, I was under a lot of stress. I had just launched my second business while still managing my first. Life was hectic, but I thought I was handling it. Then came the diagnosis.

It was a daunting time. I felt overwhelmed, confused, and scared. In the midst of the chaos, I told my brother, his fiancée and few close friends. I needed someone to talk to—someone to anchor me. But I held off from telling my parents. I just couldn’t bear to see them worry, especially when I was still trying to process it all myself.

But of course, my dad figured it out. He’s always had a quiet way of sensing when something isn’t right. He didn’t need me to say a word—he just knew. It was both comforting and painful, knowing I couldn’t protect them from it.

While seeking a second opinion, I received a call that changed everything again—my OB admitted there had been a mistake in the diagnosis.

Damn. I was relieved, of course. But by then, the emotional toll had already settled deep. My mind and heart had already gone through the fear, the grief, the confusion. And the shift it caused in me couldn’t be undone.

That experience made me question everything—my pace, my purpose, my priorities. And to be honest, I had mishandled other aspects of my life, too. I was so busy trying to stay in control and keep everything organized that I neglected parts of myself that needed attention. It was hard to admit, but necessary. With time, I made peace with myself. I forgave myself for not having it all figured out, and for trying too hard to hold it all together.

So, I packed my bags and went on a solo soul-searching journey across Indochina. Just me, my thoughts, and the open road. I needed space to ask the big questions:

What truly matters now? What do I want for the rest of my life?

That trip gave me the clarity I was longing for. When I returned, I made a tough but necessary decision—I let go of my second business. I needed to breathe. I thought I might just refocus on my first venture while continuing with grad school. That felt like enough. That felt safe.

But life had something else in store.

An unexpected opportunity came my way—and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. It offered me something I hadn’t experienced in a long time: real balance and flexibility. The kind that allowed me to slow down, take care of myself, and start healing holistically—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Over the next five years, I began to rebuild not just my career, but my entire way of living. And along that journey, I met colleagues who were deeply spiritual—something I never imagined encountering in a professional setting. These were people who brought depth, empathy, and calm into workspaces. It felt like alignment. Like a soft kind of grace.

Not everyone knows what I went through. I kept much of it private. Only a few people close to me were aware of how much that time shifted me. But I’ve always carried deep gratitude for the mentorswho connected me to this opportunity—amazing individuals who believed in me, guided me, and continue to support my growth today.

Looking back, that summer wasn’t just about a health scare. It was a divine interruption. A reset. A quiet invitation to begin again—with more heart, more honesty, and a deeper sense of purpose.

And it was life’s way of leading me exactly where I was meant to be all along.