New Beginnings

Welp, it’s been a hot minute, y’all.

Almost four months, to be exact.

A lot of you have asked me where I’ve been. Why I haven’t been writing. Why I haven’t been posting on social media as much.

The truth is…I needed a little sabbatical. A short season away from the written word. Away from being “The Single Woman.” Away from pithy, 140-character soundbites.

I needed to just be Mandy for a little bit. Actually, I needed to figure out who Mandy was first and then learn to just be her for a little bit. Be OKAY with just being her for a little bit.

I’ve felt a little lost for much of the past year. Well, if I’m being REALLY honest, I’ve felt a little lost for about two and a half years now. For those of you who have read my book Beautiful Uncertainty, you know that two and a half years ago, a guy I had loved for more than seven years broke my heart in a great, big, gigantic way. Everything I’ve been through since that day can all be traced back to that moment. The struggles. The sadness. The seasons of anxiety and uncertainty and depression. It all started there, sitting across the couch from someone who brought my worst fears about myself to life in just a few short sentences:

I don’t love you. I don’t want to be with you. And by the way…I’m no longer even attracted to you.

Ouch. Talk about a triple whammy.

After that, I took a complete dating hiatus for two years.

And as many of you know, I re-entered the dating scene back in September using the dating app Bumble.

And my life changed again. In so many great, big, gigantic ways.

I opened my heart for the first time in two years. Went out on dates for the first time in two years. I made new friends, had new adventures, put myself out there again, stepped completely outside my comfort zone, found the courage to take chances on myself and on love and on other people…

Because of Bumble, whether directly or indirectly, I have at least five to six new friends in my life I would have never known otherwise. One of whom is my neighbor who I briefly dated. I received an apology from my long-suffering ex I never thought I would get. I have an idea for a new book. I’ve been through an entire life transformation that I plan to tell you all about in the coming weeks. And though it hasn’t always been pretty at times, I’ve started to figure out, perhaps for the first time in 38 years, who I really am.

And you know what? I kinda like her.

As with all things, sometimes you need a little break from online dating…so while I took a short hiatus from Bumble over the holidays, I decided a few weeks ago it was time to get back on and continue my journey. I am well-aware that this journey may not end with me finding love.

But that’s okay. Because it’s helping me find MYSELF…and that is perhaps the greatest gift of all.

So here we go again, guys. I’m bravely re-entering the world of online dating and once again bringing you guys along with me for the ride. I know a lot of you signed up for Bumble a few months ago when I first joined and I’ve so loved hearing your stories. A few of you have even found your “person” on there and that has brought me so much joy knowing that I played a very small part in your love story. In fact, if you’re on Bumble and have a story to share, I’d love it if you left it in the comments below.

I can’t wait to tell you more about where I’ve been. I can’t wait to see where I’m going. I’m open to whoever and whatever comes along.

It’s time for a new chapter in the story of Mandy.

Let’s do this.

6 Responses to “ New Beginnings ”

  1. Stacey
    April 4, 2017

    I am so happy to see you writing again!!

  2. Gina
    April 5, 2017

    Congrats on finding yourself and actually liking yourself. I feel like that was something I struggled with was because I hadn’t found that certain someone that there was something wrong with me. However, I’ve accepted that there is absolutely nothing wrong with me and before I can find someone to be happy with, I’ve got to love myself first. Can’t wait to follow you along on your journey 🙂

  3. Jasmine Q
    April 5, 2017

    Welcome back! Glad you had some time to just be you! Excited to hear about your journey!

  4. April 5, 2017

    Thank you for your authenticity and vulnerability! I can so relate on many fronts. Sending love and light as we walk this journey together! Hugs soul sista!

  5. Amia
    April 5, 2017

    Blessings! Mandy your words in the past have changed my life ! I will share more!! And I hope to help you sister! Love you!!

  6. Lucy Calvillo
    April 9, 2017

    I found me with the help of you about 5 years ago. I loved that me. I found someone who I adored ans was actually willing to open my heart to and completely opened his heart to me as well. Turned out last year he’s severely mentally disabled and I have been nothing but a caregiver the past 2 and a half years. Due to electroconvulsive treatments he has gotten amnesia that has wiped about 90% of his memory from about the past 5 years. He barely knows who I am. In this, I have completely lost myself. I no longer know me anymore. It sounds almost like someone fictional romantic horror story even when I read it back. I am being called to write so hopefully through you, Mandy, I can rebuild myself once again.

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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only
Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only