Written by: By Natalie Carbone
Resilience is more than just a word to me—it’s a way of life. It’s the ability to recover, to rebuild, and to rise, no matter how many times life knocks you down. Over the past two years, I’ve been on a journey of self-love, one I once believed required an escape—something grand, like an Eat, Pray, Love adventure. I thought I had to leave my home to truly find myself.
Ironically, it was within the walls of my own home that I found the strength to grow into the person I was always meant to be. This journey changed me profoundly, in ways I never expected.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was working in a high-risk OB/GYN clinic, a job I had loved for two years. But over time, my confidence was slowly broken, and my mental health began to deteriorate. The work environment was toxic, and despite my dedication, I found myself questioning my worth. When a particularly difficult incident happened, I went home and told my husband. He had always been concerned about the way I was being treated, and this time, he made it clear—it was time for me to leave.
So, I did.
Walking away from that job felt like losing a part of myself. I jumped into interviews, receiving job offers on the spot, but none of them gave me the sense of fulfillment I was searching for. I was yearning for something deeper, something that made me feel whole. So, I took a step back. I decided to stop chasing what wasn’t meant for me and focus on what mattered most—my daughter.
Around the same time, my daughter started kindergarten. Almost immediately, her teacher approached me about having her evaluated. I explained that I had been trying for years to get answers, but I was constantly met with dead ends and little support. That teacher changed everything. She helped me navigate the system, find the right resources, and most importantly, she made me feel seen.
That summer, my daughter was diagnosed with autism.
I told myself I would return to work once I got her the therapy and support she needed. But as I immersed myself in learning about her diagnosis, I realized I didn’t just want to accept what professionals told me—I wanted to understand it for myself. I wanted to know exactly what she needed to thrive.
What started as research for my daughter became a passion. I found myself wanting to share everything I was learning with other parents facing the same struggles. What I once saw as a personal setback—leaving my job without a plan—turned out to be my greatest blessing.
Since then, I’ve become a certified behavioral therapist. I’ve dedicated my time to advocating for children on the spectrum. And, most importantly, I’ve created a platform that not only informs but stands as an ode to my daughter—a declaration that I see her, and the world will too.
That brings me back to resilience. It’s not just about surviving hardships; it’s about transforming them into something greater. It’s about choosing to rise, even when the weight of the world tries to hold you down.
I used to think I needed to escape to find myself. But resilience taught me otherwise. Everything I needed to grow was already within me—I just had to embrace it.
And to anyone going through a season of uncertainty, I leave you with this: What feels like an ending may just be the beginning of something greater than you ever imagined.