Rebuilding your life and setting real goals after incarceration

Vanessa S.

When I got out of prison after a year and a half, I had nothing. I lost my home, my career, and my professional license. I was released on an ankle monitor and didn’t even have a place to go. I had to start completely over with no safety net, no roadmap, and no idea what was next. It was terrifying. I went from having stability to sleeping wherever I could and trying to figure out how to make something of myself again. But I didn’t give up. I found my way step by step. I discovered a new career path. I rebuilt my life from scratch. And now, over 12 years later, I’ve created something solid and I want to help others do the same.

Setting SMART goals

Vanessa S.

For a long time, I’d set huge goals and then beat myself up when I didn’t reach them. I thought motivation alone would carry me, but when life hit hard, I lost steam, got discouraged, and stopped trying. I didn’t realize I was setting myself up to fail by not having a real plan. When I learned about SMART goals: setting goals that were Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, it changed everything. I started small. I tracked progress. I let go of the idea that everything had to happen overnight. And slowly, I started seeing real change. I built confidence, momentum, and most importantly, self-trust. If you’ve struggled with staying on track, feeling overwhelmed, or not knowing where to start, let’s talk. Setting goals isn’t just about success. It’s about healing and believing in yourself again. What We Can Talk About Together: