The Roller Coaster I Didn’t Sign Up For
I began 2025 with a simple plan: keep my head down, do the work, and keep things steady.
I had no idea I was about to step into the biggest roller coaster of life I’d ever seen.
I don’t do roller coasters. I’ve only been on one, and I was tricked into it. My friend swore it was a kids’ ride. The launch was brutal. The words out of my mouth were… not repeatable.
This year felt like that ride. Loud, fast, and not always fun. But it changed me—and it sparked something I now want to share with my community.
The Year I Didn’t See Coming
I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
I didn’t know how much I’d be stretched.
I didn’t know how many skills I’d learn or how much I’d grow.
And I certainly didn’t know I’d start to enjoy parts of the ride—once I unclenched my jaw.
If someone had warned me in January, I would have said no.
If you had shown me a checklist of challenges, I would not have picked the all-inclusive package. I would have chosen safe and familiar.
But life doesn’t hand out safe tickets. It gives you a seat—and then it locks the bar.
What the Ride Taught Me About Growth
The biggest shift this year wasn’t just skills. It was desire. A hunger to grow. A steady knowing that I can do hard things. That confidence didn’t arrive in one dramatic moment. It grew quietly, over nine messy and beautiful months.
Here is what started to change:
Courage: I gave myself permission to try before I felt ready.
Focus: I stopped doing five things at once, and chose one.
Discipline: I built small daily habits instead of chasing a mood.
Reflection: I measured progress, not perfection.
Small actions stacked up. I kept telling myself: keep showing up. I didn’t wait for ease. I moved with what I had.
Faith Was My Seatbelt
Through every twist, turn, and drop, God was with me. His presence held me in place. His promises kept me grounded. I found shelter under His wings, even when the ride felt out of control.
I prayed simple prayers in hard moments. I opened my Bible when inbox noise got too loud. I let worship reset my mind before I touched a plan. That is how I stayed steady. Not from my own strength, but from His.
No, you still won’t catch me on a real roller coaster. But this roller coaster of life? I’ve learned to ride the highs, brace for the lows, and lean into the curves. I laugh more. I trust more. And I know—I am not riding alone.
The Big Drop Brings the Growth
We all want the thrill without the stomach flip. We want the view from the top without the plunge. But it’s the drops, the twists, and the loops that change us. Those are the moments that test our grip, force us to trust, and show us what’s really inside.
I stopped asking for an easy ride and started asking for endurance.
I stopped asking why me and started asking what now.
That shift freed me. It turned pain into purpose. It turned fear into movement.
From Personal Change to Community Impact
Here’s what surprised me: my growth didn’t stay private. It spilled into how I show up for my community.
I shared more honest stories instead of polished takes.
I created simple tools that helped real people take the next step.
I listened more. I stopped assuming I knew what people needed.
I invited others to share their rides—not just their wins.
Empowering my community didn’t start with a big platform. It started with my own character. When I did the work in me, I had more to give.
Your Roller Coaster Has a Track Too
Maybe you’re standing by the gate, watching the cars whip by. Your stomach flips. Your palms sweat. You wonder if it’s worth it.
I get it. I still feel that tug between safety and growth.
Here’s a simple place to start:
Name the ride you’re avoiding. Say it out loud.
Pick one small action you can do this week. Keep it simple.
Set a timer and do it for 20 minutes. Then stop.
Track how you feel before and after. Note what worked.
Share your step with one person. Ask them to check in.
Progress likes momentum. Start small, then stack it. Repeat until your nerves turn into muscle.
How I Learned to Handle Highs and Lows
I used to think progress was a clean climb. It’s not. It’s loops, dips, and sharp turns. But you can still build steady practices that help you ride each phase.
Highs: Don’t sprint so fast that you lose your breath. Store energy. Write down wins. Share credit.
Lows: Keep moving in short bursts. Rest with intention. Stay close to the Word. Call one friend who tells you the truth.
Curves: Adjust your grip. Shift your weight. Stay curious. Ask what this curve is showing you.
Energy rises and falls. You can stay consistent even when feelings swing. Discipline beats mood every single time.
The Quiet Work That Built Real Confidence
I used to chase big moments. Now, I chase quiet ones. The little choices changed me more than the loud events.
I got up a bit earlier to think and pray.
I made a list the night before so the morning felt clear.
I set goals for the week that fit my season.
I took walks when my brain felt heavy.
I set boundaries on my phone so I could hear my thoughts.
These weren’t flashy. But they were honest. They helped me trust myself again. Confidence is not hype. Confidence is a record of kept promises.
Can This Transformation Reach Your Work and Life?
Yes. Not because my path is your path, but because the pattern works. Pressure becomes growth when you meet it with purpose. Fear loses power when you take one honest step. Hope expands when you share it.
If you lead a team, bring them into the process. Name the real problems. Trade vague goals for clear steps. Celebrate process, not just outcomes.
If you run a business solo, create a weekly review. Choose one theme per week. Keep your promises small and stackable.
Here’s one simple example of a week of focused change:
DayFocusAction
Monday, Clarity - Write your top three goals for the week.
Tuesday, Skill - Spend 30 minutes learning one new tactic.
Wednesday, Community - Ask one person what they need most.
Thursday, Delivery - Ship one small deliverable, even if imperfect.
Friday, Review - Log wins, lessons, and the next right step.
Small, steady, and honest will take you further than big, loud, and random.
Your Turn: Share Your Big Drop
When was the last time you braved a big drop in your life or work—even when your stomach flipped? What shifted in you because of it?
I’d love to hear your story. Share it in the comments, send it directly, or—if you’re ready to step onto your own ride—let’s connect. I can’t promise easy. I can promise presence, accountability, and the right kind of push.
If you’re buckling up, say so. We can ride this coaster together.
Conclusion: Keep Your Bar Down and Your Heart Open
Every twist taught me something I needed. Every drop showed me I was held. The track was wild, but I was never alone.
If this is your season of sharp turns and free falls, remember: the ride is shaping you. Keep your bar down, keep your eyes open, and trust the One who rides with you.
I’m rooting for you—hands up, heart open.
With Love;
Denise Thibodeau, IWH-Certified Wholistic Health Coach—empowering lives through faith, hope, and one health evaluation at a time.
