WELLNESS WARRIORS

May 31st marked my last day of work after being laid off. Before that date, my life felt like a whirlwind. My mind was foggy, my anxiety was sky-high, and I was juggling what seemed like a mountain of responsibilities: finding a new home in an okay area, securing a truck, organizing people to help me move, taking care of two babies, finishing up my meetings at Chatham Hall, and preparing the girls for our departure. I was running on overdrive.

Fast forward—oh wait, did I mention it was Chatham Hall? Yes, that Chatham Hall. Well, after the layoff, I moved. Then I was hit with the requirement to constantly fill out job applications to qualify for unemployment. No problem, right? I’ve been doing that since I was 16. Piece of cake. WRONG.

I was hesitant to step back into teaching because of my experience at Chatham Hall. It left me feeling inadequate, like my education had boxed me into a dead-end road with zero options besides dancing—which, let’s be real, doesn’t pay enough to sustain a family. (Artists, you know the struggle. We pour our hearts into what we love, but society still undervalues our contributions. Imagine the world without live entertainment… yeah, I bet the tune would change fast. But that’s a conversation for another day.)

So there I was, filling out job applications, spiraling into anxiety. I kept telling myself I needed a Master’s degree to make enough money to properly care for my boys. But how? How could I juggle school with two toddlers who won’t even let me edit videos, check emails, or take a call in peace? And what would I even study?

Teaching? No. Dance? Absolutely not. Entrepreneurship? Did I need a degree for that? Probably not.

What I did know is that I wanted to launch my We Straight App, a platform to help students embrace holistic self-care and wellness. That dream fueled me. School didn’t feel like the right path, so I set it aside and got to work.

I created a program and spent a month refining it. Then I dove into app development—learning to code, exploring no-code options, and eventually collaborating with developers. The vision is crystal clear: I need to raise $110,000 to bring this app to life. The development process is staged, meaning costs are incurred in stages. If we can secure the capital upfront, we won’t have to stress about debt for bug fixes or cutting corners on features. We can deliver the wellness experience I’ve envisioned—a transformative one.

Most businesses take on major debt before that pivotal moment where they either soar or crash. I’m determined to soar.

In the midst of all this, I realized my boys had been cooped up indoors too much because of my own struggles. To heal myself, I knew I had to change our environment. I started listening to my spiritual side, visiting my great-grandmother at the rehabilitation home, being honest about my feelings, moving my body, expanding my mind, and rekindling my creativity through content creation.

I even booked a hotel stay I’d won at a food truck festival in Greensboro—a small win that set the stage for bigger ones. I planned each day meticulously, preparing for the ride ahead.

And now that I’m on this journey, I’m not stopping. My goals are set:

• Make $70,000 or more
• Travel the U.S.
• Build my social media community
• Stay consistent
• Create new adventures for my boys
• Return with the ability to secure a safe and nurturing home for us

I love being a mom, but I’m also me. Honoring my needs is vital, not just for me but for my boys. If I’m at my best, they thrive. And honestly, isn’t that reason enough to embark on this adventure?

What about you—where have you always wanted to go?

Follow My Journey (click on the handle and it will direct you)

TikTok: @_kaykeel (Daily uploads, 6-8 AM in my current time zone)
Instagram: @kaykeel_ (Daily posts, spontaneous throughout the day)
Facebook: Kaykeel Dillard (Random posts)
YouTube: Coming Soon! (Stay tuned!)
Blog: Right here.

Let me know your answer. Let’s inspire each other!

Email: Kaykeel@lovememoimi.com