From the outside, my life seemed idyllic—a charming apartment by the beach, weekends of dancing, and the freedom of a fresh start in a new town. Yet beneath the surface, freedom gave way to acute loneliness, crippling self-doubt, and a profound sense of unworthiness. Despite my best efforts, my career had stalled completely, leaving me questioning my purpose and whether I’d ever find the clarity I craved. I was grappling with the loss of my parents, estrangement from my siblings, and the invisible scars of my past. Menopause compounded my struggles with anxiety and weight gain, and though I sought help from doctors and medication, the treatments only made things worse. I felt more disconnected than ever, as if I were a stranger in my own life.