How Becoming a Single Mom Changed My Life and Purpose

Rebuilding from the Ground Up

My name is Nicole. And I’m a single mom of two boys. And life isn’t easy. But it beats what it could have been.

Imagine, for a moment, you’re a stay-at-home mom. Life feels open, unhurried. You spend your days exploring parks and museums with your child, living in the moment. You’ve just discovered that your dream of becoming a mother of two is coming true—the positive pregnancy test is in your hands.

And then, everything changes.

Separation. The life I knew—the life I thought I’d always have—shattered in an instant.

It hit me like a tidal wave, pulling me under. My relationship was crumbling, and my son and I were left grasping for stability. No home of our own. No career. The online business I had dabbled in felt like a distant hope.

Life Was Never Perfect

Life wasn’t perfect before. My partner and I fought—a lot. Saving money was a foreign concept to him. But even though it wasn’t perfect, it was mine. And I felt comfortable. Perhaps a little too comfortable.

When I finally realized what was actually happening—that the father of my children was leaving me for greener pastures—I was broken. The only happiness I could find was in my little boy asking me to play or the tiny new life growing inside me, promising hope in the midst of despair.

Hope Within Ashes

At first, hope felt unreachable. During the hardest days—just after the separation and during my pregnancy—every moment felt uncertain. I was still living with the father of my children, waiting for our baby to be born, and I never knew what the day would bring. Would I end up packing early to head to my mom’s after a big fight? Arguing over visitation rights? Discovering he’d brought his new girlfriend over while I was out of town? Spoiler alert: all of those things happened. Constantly. For six long months.

At first, I cried. Oh, how I cried. I screamed into pillows when my son was asleep. But in those quiet, tear-streaked moments, a small voice whispered: What if this is your chance? What if you can rebuild—not just survive, but thrive?

That’s when I realized: life could be better. The stagnant, dreamless years were over. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to imagine a life of freedom—on my terms.

“I am free!” I yelled.

Free to live the life I choose.

Free to let go of the past. To wake up with my boys, make pancakes, and plan our day without walking on eggshells. Free to dream of a brighter future for my children.

Oh, how sweet freedom tastes.

Can you taste it? Or are you in the throes of emotional turmoil, still searching for a way out? Do you need a shoulder to cry on? A friend to vent to about the chaos your ex-partner creates?

If so, I see you. I’ve been there—and some days, I still am.

Rebuilding From the Ground Up

But let me tell you something: time will pass. It always does. And while time may not heal all wounds, it can open your eyes to what you have and what you want to create.

Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t get here overnight. My separation happened nearly two years ago, and it’s been a long, challenging road to where I am now.

Like, what did we do for housing? Well, I’m blessed to have the best support system in the world. It rests on the shoulders of the strongest woman I know: my mom.

She reached out to family, and we were able to rent an RV space on family property for several months. At the time, I had a small work-from-home job, but it barely covered the essentials. Renting an apartment was out of the question, and renting a room from a stranger wasn’t an option I felt safe with—especially with two children.

Living in an RV wasn’t ideal, but we made it work. My mom helped us renovate it to make it as comfortable as possible. We added storage solutions, brightened up the space, and made it feel like home. And as I write this, we’re still living in that RV.

We wake up in tight quarters, and we struggle for privacy. But I’ve learned to embrace the simplicity. And I especially love how easy it is to clean such a small space.

Every square inch in our home has a purpose. Everything we own, we own with intention. Every time I see my son playing in the dirt or helping me with chores, I realize: kids don’t need endless amounts of toys or their own bedroom. They just need love and the emotional space to grow and feel secure.

Keeping my expenses low and focusing on what I have has been the biggest key to not just surviving, but thriving.

I was raised to work with what I have and fix what is broken. But not everyone had that same kind of upbringing. They may not have the support system I’ve been blessed with. That’s why I’m here.

Journals of Motherhood

This little corner of the internet is for parents—single parents, especially—who need advice, encouragement, and a roadmap to pull themselves out of the trenches. To show them how to live life on their terms, even if they’re living paycheck to paycheck. I want to teach you how to use tools to budget, organize, and live below your means while living fully. 

This blog is a place of hope, encouragement, and practical advice for single parents navigating life's toughest transitions. Here, I share the raw and real moments of rebuilding, lessons in simplicity, and the steps toward creating a life that feels purposeful and financially secure.

Whether you're in the midst of heartbreak, rediscovering yourself, or learning to embrace a new normal, my goal is to remind you that you are capable. You can rise from the ashes, create stability for your family, and even find joy along the way. Together, we can embrace simplicity, find strength in the everyday, and prove that even in the hardest times, there is a path forward.

No matter your circumstances, you can rebuild your life and create something beautiful. One penny at a time.