Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Chamberlain.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I completely started my life over at 30. I thought I had done everything right – gone to nursing school right after high school, obtained a four year degree, had a beautiful son, was working in the hospital…but there was something behind the seemingly “put together” life. I was stuck in an extremely toxic and abusive relationship that almost ended my life. For years, I knew I had to get out but it seemed impossible. I had been isolated from my family and friends, financially my hands were tied since all of my money was going into a joint account and things truly seemed hopeless. Eventually, I made my escape. It took giving up everything and having to restart. I moved my belongings into storage unit. Got a new car. Changed jobs. Found housing. Got my son enrolled in a new school. I felt so behind – I was 30, I was supposed to have it “together”! Now I was in a small and run down apartment, with a small and modest car – but I had something I didn’t have before that; happiness. Freedom. the ability to run my own life. safety. stability.
Even though I was starting to rebuild, I figured I would just be alone. That this was my family – myself, and my son. I thought I would never find someone who would want all this baggage.
But then, I met the man that is now my husband. We got married, had a beautiful daughter, bought a home together. I thought thirty was too late to restart. I thought who I was had already been cemented into the fabric of the universe – just me, and my damage.
I want to remind everyone that it’s never too late to wake up one day and decide “well, that’s enough of that” and choose something different for yourself. You can pick a new career. You can expand your family. You can move to a different place. Somebody will love you for who you are, and you don’t need to compromise your worth to be a part of the picture that you think you’re supposed to pain.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I never quite felt fully like myself, like I had found my niche or my people. I often have felt misunderstood in life – always “too much” something for any situation.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work as a registered nurse by trade but have a hobby on the side of amateur podcasting and content creating, using humor to draw on relatable parenting and marriage moments. I hope to help others navigate figuring out who they are in a world that keeps trying to tell everyone who they should be.
and honestly? who knows what my next endeavor will be. I’ve toyed with the idea of law school. of writing. i’d love us all to just keep trying things until we find fulfillment
What do you like and dislike about the city?
likes: a good book, being outdoors, cooking, attempting crafts that i will inevitably mess up
dislikes: too many noises at once, socks in bed and clutter
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ash.chambs
