Valuable Lessons from Awful Advice: My Mistakes and Insights

The journey to achieving my dreams was filled with both successes and some very dark moments. One of the most formative experiences was when I sought advice from my sociopathic ex-partner and a loved one that turned out to be disastrous. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of seeking advice from those who have successfully navigated similar paths.

The Expensive Blunder with My Ex-Partner

My relationship with my sociopathic ex-partner was a turbulent one. When I decided to attend couple's counseling, I had no idea that this would become one of the most costly chapters of my life. During our sessions, he and the counselor tricked me into relinquishing our joint finances under the pretense that it would give him a chance to prove himself and improve his sense of manliness. In just two weeks, our savings for a house disappeared—50,000 dollars, all gone. This experience was a harsh but essential lesson in recognizing when individuals are manipulating situations for their own benefit.

Forced to Choose the Military or Stay Home

Upon graduating high school, college seemed out of reach. My parents, unable to afford my tuition and reluctant to let me live at home, advised me to explore my options. The military was one of them, thanks to tuition assistance programs. Being an 18-year-old, I knew little about the military or the sister who wisely advised me against it. According to her, military life would turn women into lesbians and subject them to constant sexual harassment. My reaction? Rather than heeding her advice, I decided to proceed with my plans and explore the military option.

I remember the shock and unease of talking to my sister about my intentions. She warned me about the potential from a place of protective love, but it was still an inaccurate prediction. Several years later, I read stories of women successfully navigating the military and thriving in their roles. This realization showed me the importance of taking advice from someone who has successfully achieved the goal you are aiming for. Moving forward, I focused on my own goals, saving my tuition money through full-time work and summer courses.

Navigating Adulthood Independently

Even after overcoming the emotional and financial setbacks, my sister's rejection and my parent's landlords' ultimatums were tough. My parents were renting from one of my sisters, and when she discovered I had a full-time job, she demanded rent payments or eviction. The situation was handled with grace, but it highlighted the challenges of maintaining relationships and financial independence.

One day, after enduring a barrage of criticism, a sister suggested I could earn tuition money through prostitution. The shock was beyond belief, but I kept my focus. Eventually, I lived independently, worked full-time, and attended night courses to prepare for college. I relied on student loans and worked additional jobs to finance my education. Despite numerous obstacles, I earned my bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science, followed by a Bachelor's and Master's in Nursing Administration.

These experiences taught me valuable lessons. Never giving up on a goal, and the importance of seeking advice from those who have successfully achieved similar milestones. This journey may have been full of mistakes and hurt, but it also provided irreplaceable wisdom and resilience.