They say life isn’t about the things that happen to you, but about the decisions you make. There’s a ton of coverage about the best decisions people have made, but not nearly enough conversation about the tough decisions. We asked folks we admire to tell us about the most difficult decision they’ve ever had to make and have shared some of those responses below.

Janet Young | Entrepreneur and Author

To divorce my ex husband and raise my son without him being in his life. I am blessed to have my son AJ. Sometimes I think he is so much more than I can handle, but he is the sun that warms my heart each day. Being biracial is not easy for my son. He has to deal with the racial stigmas along with his very distinctive name due to his father’s nationality. I’m Jamaican, and my son’s father is Palestinian. As the first son, he has his father’s name, Jihad. The first and most challenging thing I had to do for my son was to fight to keep him after his father and I got divorced. I put my life on the line and walked away with my son; I will never be sorry. Read more>>

Rachelle Carrie | Authoress & Podcast Host

The most difficult decision that I have had to make has been to turn away from what was expected from me and realize my passion as a true creator. After giving birth to my daughter and my books, I realized something bigger than me. Hence, the intoxicating feeling you get when something is undoubtedly not aligned with your true self. I came to terms with being authentic and validating myself more than others. I looked within and decided to take the plunge. Read more>>

Desiree’ Stapleton | 2x ‘30 Under 30’ Honoree and Forbes ‘Next 1000’ Nominated Master Level Coach, Author, and CEO

To not let the bad stuff get the best of me. I’ve faced a lot of things that I feel were meant to break me and it takes grit and resolve to keep your essence- to still be optimistic, joyous, humorous, ambitious, or present. It’s the reason I created The Desiree’ Stapleton Self-Help app- because life happens, to ALL of us, and sometimes we need a little extra help. Whether it be to grow or to not be jaded, whatever the personal growth goal is that is tied to a trying experience, sometimes you need a place to go to remind you that things will be okay. Read more>>