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Let me be real with you for a second.

You can be rebuilding your credit, behind on bills, trying to make ends meet—and still show up for your life. You don’t have to disappear. You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to lose your joy just because you’re in a financial reset.

I know, because I’ve lived it.
More than once.

You ever been so behind you don’t even check your email? Or your voicemails? You see a number pop up and you already know—it’s a bill collector.
It’s heavy. It’s frustrating. And it’s lonely.

But even in that, I made a decision: I’m not going to let this season swallow me.

Because life doesn’t stop just because you’re struggling.
Your kids still need to laugh.
Your body still needs rest.
Your home still needs peace.
And you? You still need joy.

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This Is What I Did Instead:

I stopped waiting for a “perfect” moment to live again.
I started making small shifts that gave me room to breathe, think, move, and reset.
• I made memories with my son, even if it was just a $12 Urban Air membership or a quick trip for sno cones.
• I did my laundry, I cleaned my space, I bought household stuff in bulk so I didn’t have to worry about it every week.
• I knocked out the little bills that were nagging me, so I could focus on the bigger ones with more clarity.
• I started cooking with intention again. I wasn’t just throwing meals together—I was creating food that felt good, looked beautiful, and made me feel proud.
I went back to taking photos of my plates and experimenting with recipes—not just for fun, but with intention. It gave me a sense of peace and power, because this time, it had purpose behind it.
I’m building a food blog for Pinterest, and every dish I made reminded me—I’m not just trying to survive. I’m still dreaming, still creating, and still becoming everything God called me to be.

It’s your turn now.
You’ve been showing up for everyone else—now it’s time to show up for you.

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I Found Peace in the Small Things

Start with your space.
Light a candle. Turn on some worship. Open your windows.

Aromatherapy saved me.
I swear, the smell of my home reminded me of my old apartment in Nashville—my safe place.
It calmed me. It made me feel like everything was going to be okay.

And listen—I still had bills. I still had stress. But the atmosphere changed.
And when your atmosphere changes, your mindset follows.

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Let’s Talk Self-Care on a Budget

I couldn’t afford the salon every week—but thankfully, I didn’t have to.

I was licensed to work in a salon, so I already knew how to do my own hair, lashes, brows, and makeup. That skill? It became a blessing.
I went back to braiding my own hair, and every time I looked in the mirror, I felt proud.
I started wearing press-on nails—and let me tell you, you would’ve thought I just walked out of a nail salon.
I applied strip lashes under my lash line (pro tip!), and people started asking me what lash tech I went to.
I’d tell them they were strip lashes—and they’d be shocked.

It wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up, feeling good, and staying resourceful while still honoring who I am.

I still take my son to the barbershop—but we keep it simple.
No designs, no extras.
A good haircut, a little mousse, some oil, and a sprush for his curls—and he’s good.
He’s still showing up looking handsome and well put together, because guess what? He’s still living his own separate life.
And it’s not fair to not show up for our kids just because we’re going through something.

Oh—and I don’t run all over the city shopping anymore. I place my grocery and household orders online.
Time is money. My peace is priceless.

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Let Me Tell You Something That Changed My Life:

I used to wake up feeling defeated before the day even started.
Now? I pray. I breathe. I stretch. I walk.

I walk at the park with my son, or while he’s playing at the playground.
Sometimes I walk around the complex just to clear my mind.
Cooking breakfast in the morning makes me feel so good and proud of myself.

Because when I move, I feel alive again.

And when I started feeling alive again, I started fighting again.

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You’re Not Alone—Even If It Feels Like It

Don’t let the enemy lie to you and make you feel isolated.
People out here are behind on car notes, mortgages, doctor bills—and still trying to keep their heads up.

You are not the only one.

Put on your armor and remind yourself of this truth:
As long as I keep showing up, I cannot lose.
Because quitting is the only way the enemy wins.

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And Through It All—I Built This Business

Building this business while going through my own storm wasn’t easy.

There were days I wanted to quit.
Days I cried.
Days I wondered if I was even qualified to help others while I was still healing.

But I kept showing up.

Not because I felt strong every day—but because I knew God didn’t bring me this far just to bring me this far.

He made me a promise—that He would restore everything the locusts and cankerworms had eaten.

And He’s doing just that.

This business? This purpose? It was born in the middle of a battle.
But it’s rooted in faith, obedience, and the promise that what’s ahead of me is so much greater than what’s behind me.

Thank you, God, for your restoration.
For covering me. For lifting me.
For reminding me that brokenness doesn’t disqualify me—it builds me.

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Protect Your Peace Like It’s Sacred—Because It Is

I stopped surrounding myself with people who drained me.
I stopped explaining my journey to folks who weren’t clapping for me anyway.
And I made room for encouragement, faith, and people who were fighting just like me.

I realized something powerful:
Life doesn’t pause when you’re rebuilding—so why should I?

I still handled appointments. Still worked. Still cleaned. Still parented.
But I stopped letting my days run me ragged.

Now?
I run my day. I take authority. I set the tone.

And you can too.

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If this post hit home, don’t keep doing life alone.
Sign up for The Credit Reset Newsletter here to get real credit tips, spiritual encouragement, and weekly reminders that you are not alone—and that you’re built to win.

You’re not just getting your credit together.

You’re getting your whole life back.

Written by Kyterria Ivory
Creator of The Credit Repair Ministry. Former Car Sales Pro turned Credit Mentor, helping everyday people fix their credit and level up their life.