Reset at 52: How I Finally Said Yes to My Dream

I’ve spent nearly 30 years of my life in retail.
I worked hard… always showing up, always doing more than what was expected. I rarely took time off, always followed policy, stayed late, skipped lunch, helped coworkers and managers, and put my heart into everything.

For the last 22 of those years, I was with one company. I knew my job inside and out. But the truth is… I was starting to feel burned out. Deep down, I knew I needed a change, but I didn’t know when or how.

And then, life made the decision for me.

I was 52 when my boss told me the company announced a restructure. My position was eliminated.

I’ll never forget how it felt. Shocked, scared, unsure.

Was I really supposed to start over now? Doing what?

After the initial fear wore off, I made a decision.
I wasn't going back to retail. 

I took my severance and leaned into something completely new by working from home  — learning online marketing. It wasn’t easy at first. The skillset was totally unfamiliar, and honestly, it felt like I was starting from scratch.

What made it even harder?
Friends disappeared. I had no one to lean on.
It was just me… figuring it out alone.

But I didn’t quit.

I kept learning, trying, messing up, trying again.
And slowly, I began to understand it.
Now I use what I’ve learned to help others who are right where I was — starting over, feeling lost, and needing that online guidance. That alone feels like a win.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Starting something new at any age is hard — but possible. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start. Take one step at a time. Whether it takes weeks, months, or years… you will find your rhythm.

Now, fast forward to this summer, 2025 — something new awakened in me.
After I lost my sweet chihuahua Ginger in April, my heart needed somewhere to go. Something to pour into. Something peaceful.

A month later, I grabbed a piece of paper and started sketching.

All the dreams I had tucked away for years — became a vision of tiny homes, country-style living… finally came to life on paper.

That was the moment Sunday Cottage Escape was born. I live in this vision every single day in my head.

This blog is the first step toward making my lifelong dream a reality.
Not just a peaceful space I can build, but a journey I can share. With you.

I’ll be documenting it all —
From the ideas to the planning…
Buying land, choosing the right tiny houses, designing the space, and even the first day I open the gates.

If you’re here reading this, thank you.
This isn’t just a blog, it’s my dream on paper — finally happening.
I hope you’ll stick around and join me for the ride.