One week, one habit, and one decision at a time—let’s build this life together.
The Moment Everything Changed
Over the past few months, driving for Lyft stopped making sense.
Some weeks, I couldn’t even earn enough to pay for my own gas and food—let alone set anything aside for repairs or emergencies. I’ve been a teacher for years, and I love what I do. But the truth is, I’ve always needed extra income just to make ends meet. And lately, that extra income hasn’t been enough.
It’s hard to admit this: but I got to a point where I had to say no to my kid over something small, something simple—and it broke me more than I expected.
I realized I was working nonstop, but never moving forward. I was stuck, overwhelmed, and numb. And honestly? I was losing sight of why I was even doing it all.
That’s when I knew—I needed a reset. Not a break. A change.
What Starting Over Really Looks Like
This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to rebuild.
I went back to school for GIS. I did a software engineering bootcamp. I invested in affiliate marketing. Each time, I hoped it would be the thing that changed everything.
But none of it stuck—because I wasn’t building consistency. I was chasing solutions without changing my foundation.
Now? I don’t have a safety net anymore. And that’s why this time is different. I’m showing up, not just for another side hustle—but to face how I see money, how I use my time, and how I treat myself.
Starting over means shifting my mindset, building new habits, and finally taking control of what I can control.
The Habit That’s Quietly Changing Everything
You know what’s been helping me most? Movement and self-love.
It started simple—just doing a few squats. And even though they were hard, and I felt tired, I also felt something I hadn’t in a while: alive.
It reminded me that I’m not broken. I just forgot to take care of myself.
This habit isn’t about chasing a six-pack. It’s about proving to myself that I’m worth showing up for. Because once I started treating myself like I matter—I started believing I do.
The Hardest Part (So Far)
This reset has challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. But the hardest thing?
Facing the truth that even when I feel alone—I’m not.
I’ve battled depression. I was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. There have been long seasons where I felt like something was wrong with me… that I couldn’t keep up with “normal.”
But now, I’m using this reset to reconnect—with myself, with others, and with the idea that I’m not in this fight by myself. There are people who love me. Who believe in me. And slowly, I’m starting to believe in me too.
Why I’m Sharing This With You
I don’t have it all figured out. I’m still broke. I’m still rebuilding. But I’m doing it with intention. And I want you to know something:
You are capable of change. Not because I said so—but because deep down, you’ve already felt it too.
I’ll keep sharing what works for me, what doesn’t, and how I’m pushing forward one day at a time. But you’re the one who has to take that step. This reset is mine—but it can be yours too.
Let’s build the life we want. Together.
👉 Your Next Step
I created a free 7‑Day Reset PDF to help you get started—no fluff, just seven simple but powerful actions that helped me get unstuck.
🔗 Download the 7‑Day Reset Now
📩 And if you haven’t already, join the email list to follow the journey and get weekly updates that actually help.
We’re not stuck. We’re just starting.
—Chris aka That Dad Ladd