Letting Go of My Happily Ever After

Summary

Divina Grey reflects on the disintegration of her once idyllic life and the realization that her fairytale ending may not align with traditional narratives, as she learns to embrace a new concept of happiness and fulfillment.

Abstract

In a personal essay, Divina Grey recounts the unexpected unraveling of her life in 2020, a year that shattered her long-held expectations of a perpetually blissful marriage and family life. Despite the upheaval, she acknowledges the enduring beauty within herself and the love for her children, while reconciling with the loss of her envisioned future. She emphasizes that happy endings can still exist but may differ from the classic tales of "Prince Charming" and "white-picket fence" ideals. Divina expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her journey through writing and invites readers to explore more of her work, showcasing her resilience and commitment to rebuilding her life through her passion for storytelling.

Opinions

Divina Grey believes in the possibility of happiness beyond the conventional "happily ever after" narrative.
She feels that the challenges she faced led her to a place of acceptance and growth.
The author conveys a sense of loss and nostalgia for the life she once had.
Divina appreciates the support from her readers and the inspiration she received from Lucy Dan 蛋小姐.
She identifies as a strong, ferocious woman who is actively rebuilding her life through her love for writing and other passions, such as biking, singing, and working out.

Letting Go of My Happily Ever After

You couldn’t pay me enough money to convince me that in the year 2020, my whole life was going to fall apart, and everything I had ever known since the age of eighteen would be ripped from my clenching fists like a fairytale gone wrong.

I’m going to go ahead and say it; I was a beautiful woman on my wedding day. I thought I would remain that woman forever with a happy, committed, family-man-of-a-husband and two heavenly children I love with all my heart.

A few of those things remained true. But today (partly because I have no choice), I’ve let go of my life working out exactly the way all those Disney movies said it would.

Happy endings are still a thing, but the narrative doesn’t always include a Prince Charming or a white-picket fence.

Thank you for your love and support. You Are Loved. ❤

Divina Grey is a ferocious woman and mother rebuilding her life one article at a time. She likes long bike rides, singing and playing her guitar, an electrifying workout, and a cup of coffee so decadent she can feel the frothiness in her bones. Over the last twenty-five years, Divina has stockpiled a collection of journals in an elegant wooden chest and is oozing with gratitude for the chance to share her staggering long-time love of writing with the world.

If you enjoyed this piece and would like to read more, please make yourself at home:

Letting Go of My Happily Ever After

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Poem prompt thanks to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)