From Sister, Sister to My Next Act: Tia Mowry and the Power of New Beginnings

For those of us who grew up in the 90s, Tia and Tamera Mowry were a huge part of our childhood and teenage years. From Sister, Sister to Twitches and Seventeen Again, their presence on our screens was undeniable. While they're a bit older than me, I’ve always found many aspects of their lives incredibly relatable. Tia Mowry's recent reality TV show, Tia Mowry: My Next Act, hit especially close to home as it mirrored my own experiences with divorce, personal growth, and starting over.

In a world where life often feels predetermined, realizing that we have the power to make

choices can be both liberating and terrifying. As I watched Tia Mowry in her new reality show,

"My Next Act," her words about having a choice for the first time in her life struck a chord with

me. Like Tia, my journey through marriage, divorce, and beyond has taught me the importance

of choosing happiness, even when it goes against societal expectations.

Watching the first episode of My Next Act, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection with her

journey. Like Tia, I too have experienced the ups and downs of love—from the excitement of

dating, to the commitment of marriage, to the heartbreak of divorce. And, just like Tia, I'm

finding myself again as I navigate this new chapter of my life. The similarities between us are

undeniable: we've both been divorced for around a year and a half, we're both mothers to a

teenager and a five-year-old (even sharing the same name for our youngest, Cairo), and we're

both on a path of self-discovery. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey, and

how Tia's experience has helped me understand and grow through this transformative time.

While our paths to divorce were different in terms of public exposure, Tia's journey has helped

me realize the universal need for empathy and understanding during such a challenging time.

While going over my own experiences, I’m reminded of the importance of resilience and

vulnerability in the healing process.

Watching Tia's journey unfold in the media has been a reminder of the entitlement some

people feel towards celebrities' private lives. While we may be curious about the reasons

behind her divorce, we need to remember that we are not entitled to that information. Tia

shared what she felt comfortable with, and the rest is none of our business. Unfortunately, this

lack of information led to assumptions, judgments, and criticisms from strangers who have no

insight into her situation. As a society, we must learn to give people grace and respect their

choices, especially when it comes to matters as personal as divorce. Let's focus on supporting

Tia and others who decide to walk away from situations that no longer serve them, rather than

tearing them down with baseless speculations.

Co-parenting and helping our kids adjust to a new family dynamic after divorce was a tough

journey for Tia and me. After being a tight-knit family for years, splitting time between two

homes and setting healthy boundaries was tricky. In my family, my ex-husband and I continue to work

hard to keep our parenting consistent while giving our kids time to get used to their new

routines. Explaining these changes to our children in a supportive way was important, because

they were going through a lot of emotions too. Balancing my own needs with my kids' wasn't

easy, but we all grew stronger as a family by facing these challenges together.

An big part of the healing process after divorce is learning to balance our needs as

mothers with our own well-being. While our children are our top priority, it's crucial to

remember that if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to be the best version of

ourselves for them. Self-care, self-love, and prioritizing our mental health are not selfish acts,

but rather necessary steps in modeling healthy behaviors for our children. By putting our own

happiness first, we teach our children that it's okay to do the same—that being in a fulfilling

relationship is the norm, not the exception. As we navigate the complications of divorce and rebuilding our lives, let's not forget the importance of nurturing our own happiness and growth.

While Tia eagerly jumped back into the dating scene, eager to experience the world of dating

for the first time, I actually to approached it more cautiously. Having had dating experiences before

my marriage, I knew the importance of taking my time, focusing on self-love, and healing at my

own pace. I’m grateful for the supportive people in my life who allowed me to do just that. Now

that I am dating again, I'm thankful for the patience and respect shown by my current partner,

who is allowing me to take things slow and steady, making me feel cherished and secure.

As we navigate life’s twists and turns, it's essential to remember that growth, learning, and healing are all part of the process. This is what Tia Mowry demonstrates in her own life. Whether you're entering the next act of your life or have upgraded to a 2.0 version of yourself, never forget the beauty of self-love, peace, and the freedom to choose happiness—whatever that means for you.