Childless | I Did Not Give Up

After 6 IUI’s, 3 IVF’s, ten thousands of dollars, relationship challenges, and being really close to a depression. It was enough… Quitting was my act of self-love. Trust me, that was the hardest decision of my life! And now we’re entering a whole new phase… what does life look like being childless?

Despite all the reasons to stay silent, I choose to speak up… Not because I’m looking for sympathy or pity.. But because I know that opening up these honest yet sensitive conversations will benefit so many people around me..

I’m on a mission to raise awareness around childlessness so that together we can help change the conversation… and make sure that unsolicited advice turns into support… real support that leaves us feeling empowered and a little less lonely in this incredibly challenging journey…

Transcript

Thank you for being here.

My name is Rianna.

I'm a serial entrepreneur,

Full-time traveler,

Happily married,

And childless,

Not by choice.

After six long years of battling infertility,

Dealing with hundreds of doctor's appointments,

Invasive tests,

And countless needles,

I can tell you that I didn't give up.

I made a conscious decision to quit.

You see,

There's a distinction between quitting and giving up that often gets blurred,

But they're not the same.

Quitting is a choice.

It's an act of voluntarily stopping a specific pursuit or goal.

It's a decision made for various reasons due to unique circumstances.

On the other hand,

Giving up is like surrender and defeat.

It implies resignation and a belief that overcoming obstacles is beyond our capabilities.

But let me emphasize,

I did not surrender,

Nor did I lack perseverance.

I refused to allow anyone to diminish my resilience or dismiss my story.

It simply came down to knowing when it was enough.

I needed to prioritize my well-being,

Redefine my expectations,

And holding on to the thought that I can still live an extraordinary life,

Despite not having a baby.

Resiliency doesn't reflect our determination or strength.

It's a complex maze of circumstances,

Genetics,

And emotions.

And it's a reminder that life's journey often takes unexpected turns,

Forcing us to redefine our paths.

To all of you facing similar judgments,

Remember this.

Your worth is not defined by anyone else's opinion.

Your strength lies in your resilience,

Your courage in facing the unknown,

And your ability to rise above the challenges life throws at you.

I'm here to remind you that your journey is valid,

Your emotions are valid,

And your triumphs deserve to be celebrated.

Let's continue supporting one another,

Spreading love and understanding,

And rewriting the narrative around infertility.

Thank you so much for listening.

You can follow me for more talks on living this unexpected life here in Insight Timer.

Reviews

So powerful. Thank for your openness & touching on a topic that is very sensitive for many Childless adults.