After calling off my wedding and leaving my old school, I'm starting fresh at a new campus. Here's what I learned from a bright-eyed new teacher about approaching life with renewed enthusiasm.
Author: Laura Joy Palma
When Life Unravels, Keep Writing: What My Front Porch Taught Me About Starting Over
After my engagement ended and my teaching world shifted, I almost stopped writing. Here's why showing up to the blank page—even when you're broken—is the most important thing you can do.
How New Teacher Orientation Opened My Eyes to Who I Really Am
They handed us sunglasses as a symbol of our bright future, but the real vision came from seeing myself through my colleagues' eyes. Sometimes strangers become mirrors.
When Friendship Becomes Judgment: Learning to Love Without Fixing
I lost my best friend because I couldn't love her without trying to change her. Here's what the ocean taught me about friendship, boundaries, and letting people be themselves.
You Can’t Change Yesterday, But You Can Grow Today: Kitchen Lessons in Life
This summer I traded gardening for cooking and learned to fix my own car. Sometimes wisdom comes from trying new things and accepting that you can't be better yesterday—only better today.
When You Can’t Write Your Own Truth: Living Through What You Can’t Say
Some stories are too raw, too complicated to tell publicly. Here's what I learned about truth, lies, and the weight of secrets during my summer of silence.
The Unfinished Puzzle I Had to Put Away
I was working on a Cinderella puzzle when my engagement ended, so I put it away with only the border complete. Here's what storms and roller coasters taught me about perfect endings.
Four Days After My Cancelled Wedding: Learning to Live Fully Anyway
Four days ago, I didn't get married or start my honeymoon in Europe. Instead, I hosted a Harry Potter photo booth, made curry chicken, and celebrated my nieces' birthday. Here's how I chose to live intentionally after heartbreak.
Breaking Free from Labels and Excuses: Learning to Fly at 35
My student Snow White taught me that growth means accepting criticism without making excuses. Here's how I'm learning to stop using labels as crutches and find the freedom to fly.
The Mountain That Taught Me How to Start Over Again
Post 1: "Skills for Starting Over" Better title: "The Mountain That Taught Me How to Start Over Again" Excerpt: "After my engagement ended and my life unraveled, I went to the mountains seeking adventure. Instead, I found scars—and the skills to begin again. Sometimes getting knocked down shows you what you're made of.
Writer's Growth 