At 36, I had everything I ever wanted.

I was a senior communications leader at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world and earned a title and salary I had worked for my entire career.

Not only did I have my dream job, but I also had an amazing group of friends and family, a healthy relationship, and a passport that was stamped almost monthly.

I felt like I was finally creating the life and family I always wanted. Until, suddenly, everything changed.

A breakup and layoff forced me to reevaluate my life.

After returning home from a girls’ trip, my partner of four years and I had a difficult but necessary conversation and ultimately decided to end our relationship.

Although we had our ups and downs, we seemed to be getting over things and I never thought our struggles would ultimately end in a breakup.

Because we had been living together, I was forced to pack up my belongings at my partner’s house in Florida and move into my mother’s condo in my hometown of New Orleans—the best financial option and a way to be close to my family when I needed them most.

Fortunately, my job allowed me to work remotely as long as I visited the New York City office once a month, so moving states wouldn’t be a problem.

Plus, my mom and I are close, especially since I’m an only child, so I was excited to live with her again. But part of me still felt like a failure returning to the city where I grew up.

However, I was hoping to spend some meaningful time with her, something I hadn’t been able to do since moving to another state.

It was nice to get back to our old routines: watching our favorite “Real Housewives” episodes together, having lunch, being each other’s date to sporting events, and recapping our days in person instead of over the phone.

I was so grateful for every moment we shared together, but I didn’t think I’d be there for much longer than six months.

That all changed when I was fired from my job. Filled with shock and uncertainty, I was faced with the reality that, for the first time in my life, I didn’t know what would come next.

Suddenly, I found myself stuck at home, unemployed and contemplating a future I couldn’t chart.

Reconnecting with my community inspired my next career move

Fortunately, severance and unemployment benefits gave me something I had rarely allowed myself before: time.

As I sat with myself, I realized that I had spent almost my entire life searching for the next title, promotion, or achievement.

The layoff forced me to face the truth I had been denying: it was time for a change.

So instead of rushing to recreate my old life, I decided to lean on the one I had. I decided that if I was going to be in New Orleans, I would really be here.

After exploring new parts of the city, attending local events, and trying new fitness classes, I began to see my hometown in a new light.

When I visited the city as an adult, I never thought I could be happy living here again. However, I never had a community to rely on, as I had become estranged from my childhood friends and was never in the city long enough to truly reconnect.

Now, a year and a half after returning, my life looks completely different than the one I thought I wanted. I started a business, established a thriving group of friends old and new, built a personal brand, and discovered a passion for community building that I never knew existed.

Above all, I found something I didn’t expect: I love living in New Orleans and I am very happy.

The city gave me a space to heal and rediscover myself after one of the most difficult chapters of my career.

I’m not sure if my time living at home will be permanent, but for now I’m happy and hope to continue flourishing here until the next adventure calls.

Overall, returning home didn’t ruin my life: it helped me rebuild it.