Every week on Sunday, I’ll post “Daisy’s Diary” – a memoir I’ve created to document the craziness in my life. As many of you have expressed your heartfelt compassion towards my experiences, I wanted others to see that life isn’t normal…for anyone (not for you, and especially not for me). You are not mediocre, and if you think my life is just amazing all the time, you’re wrong.
The start of something amazing…
It was just 5-years ago that I was pregnant and crying out to God because our electricity was cut off, we were locked out of our apartment for non-payment, and barely had any change just to even buy water. Life couldn’t have hit more rock bottom then. My life has been a roller coaster ride since I was a teen. I’ve seen it ALL and experienced what it was like to be a teen mom in my senior year of high school. When others were planning for prom and graduation, I was planning my baby shower and a nursery for my first born child. I truly believe my struggles in life have become my successes. I would not be where I am now if I had not gone through those “adventures” in my life as a mom trying to raise her children (all while trying to find her way in this crazy world).
I would see successful women who carried themselves well, balance their lives, and look absolutely amazing in the clothes they wore. I wanted to be like them, but thought looking and feeling that way required a lot of money that I did NOT have. Instead of hanging my head in defeat, I became proactive and started thinking up unconventional ways to get their looks for less. Throughout my money saving journey, I learned couponing, shopping at thrift stores, mixing and matching the old with the new, and the true definition of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) in ways I never knew could be possible. The journey taught me what I needed to do to live within my means without sacrificing the way I looked. I have purchased hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for just a few dollars, and I have spent weekends with my family at thrift stores buying hundreds of dollars in designer brands for just a few dollars too. I learned the art of negotiation and simply asking how to get things for less from industry leading experts.
Three years ago, I landed a job as a Corporate Recruiter for a billion dollar gaming technology company. Many of the Facebook app games and slot machines you see in casinos are most likely with the company I work for. And although most of these roles required a college degree (which I do not have, but plan to one day attain), I was able to prove my loyalty and commitment to this technology company.
I encourage you not to let the wreckage of your past define you and your future. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that “you can’t”. And train your mind to think of possible, instead of impossible. I was a teen mom, but who cares. I refused to allow people’s judgements of my potential future affect or hinder me from becoming successful.
Now we are enjoying the life of joy, abundance, hope, and blessings that God promised us. I’ve used what I’ve learned to help others, and created a blog to spread the hope that so many moms have been looking for. I am humbled by my past and confident in my future and in August 2011, TheItMom.com was launched. After realizing how much fun I had doing it and how easy others could do it too, I was able to teach people unconventional ways of looking like a million bucks or obtaining brand names by spending very little of their own money.TheItMom.com was created to show others the potential they have to build trusting relationships, do great things in life, and save money doing it! We also volunteer our efforts with Dress For Success (the mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life).
More to come! Until the next episode of “Daisy’s Diary”…
So encouraging! You’ve gained a new fan today, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog!