Ashleigh Smith

Growing up, I always felt like the odd one out. I never quite felt that passion or drive for anything specific and felt that I just blended with the world, never standing out. Immediately after I graduated high school, I was already in a serious relationship.By the age of 22, I was married and by the age of 23, we had our child. It seemed like life was just being lived the way I was “supposed” to live it. Though I was over the moon being a mother, I lost myself. I really believe that Everleigh, my daughter is the where the path to finding me really began. Upon delivering her, I developed POTS(Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). POTS is a condition that can develop in your body at anytime. It affects your blood flow and causes a variety of symptoms in your body, specifically upon standing. Needless to say, becoming a mother and developing this made things a little difficult. I remember a lot of moments angry at the world for this. I hadn’t lived yet. So many things I wanted to do but was too scared, I now couldn’t because of this autoimmune disease. Even enjoying a hot day outside was a no for my body. Simply going for a short walk with my daughter was almost impossible. Angry is how I felt. I had been robbed of my life at such a young age. One day it clicked though. I could sit there and cry and be angry and continue missing the most important moments of my life or I could start fighting for something. So I started making changes here and there. Started eating better and kept my body moving. Started playing with my hair and my makeup. Spending hours learning make up techniques off YouTube and trying them out. I tried to enjoy the little moments with my daughter and finally after over 2 years, I decided to try to start working full time again. My mom happened to find a listing for a receptionist opening at a local Dermatology clinic in town and told me to send in my resume. I was so excited when I got that call to come in to interview. I thought, this is it, I have got the job! Boy, was I wrong. One girl in front of me got the job and I was told no. I will never forget where I was that day, sitting in the bank opening a new checking account. Tears ran down my face as I read that rejection email and my bank lady told me everything happens for a reason. A day later, I got a call from a bill collector company offering me a job. I was blessed to hear that so even though it wasn’t a huge interest, I said yes because a begger cannot be a chooser. A week goes by and I am starting to feel more depressed about starting this job. I knew this wasn’t the career I wanted. At this point though, I still didn’t really know what I DID want. I just knew I was unhappy. The moment came in November 2016. I woke up on morning to a email and missed call. It was the Dermatology clinic offering me the position because the girl before me just didn’t work it. Let me tell you how excited I was for that moment. I immediately said yes, called the other job and thanked them for the chance but I would have to decline. I stayed at the Derm clinic for almost 4 years. In that time, I developed a lot of knowledge for skin care, skin cancer, products, etc. Remember though, I was just a receptionist. That was as far as it was going for me. I decided that wasn’t enough. I needed more. I wasn’t feeling that happy that I knew was out there somewhere. I made the huge leap and decided to become an Esthetician. This big change has sparked other big changes in my life recently and while it hasn’t been easy, it will be worth it. I have never been so excited for my future. The best part of all of this is my little girl gets to watch her mom live out the dreams she never thought possible, andI can only hope that will light a fire in her to keep fighting for what she wants, and to never give up. Regardless of how hard the road or how big the speed bumps are. The sky is the limit.