When Life Changes Plans—Natasha’s Brave Pivot

Natasha Kelly was just starting college when her health started to slip. What began as constant exhaustion soon became something she couldn’t push through. Getting to class felt like a marathon. Her energy was gone, and nobody could explain why. Routine bloodwork came back mostly normal, with only a slight dip in kidney function—nothing that raised serious concern at the time.

But Natasha knew something wasn’t right. She eventually moved back in with her grandparents, hoping that rest and a slower pace might help. It didn’t.

Her family kept pushing for answers. A specialist in New York finally pieced it together: Natasha was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune condition that can silently damage organs—including the kidneys.

“I was only 18 and didn't have any family history of lupus or kidney disease so it was a complete shock,” Natasha said. “I went from college life to blood tests, medication, and specialist visits almost overnight.”

Treatment helped her stabilize. She returned to school, joined a sorority, and even landed a fashion internship in California after graduation. For a while, life felt normal again.

But in her early twenties, she stopped being as consistent with her medication. “Being in my early twenties, I desperately wanted to live a normal life,” she said. That decision had consequences—her kidney function dropped to 40%, and doctors warned she was headed for dialysis.

She started treatment, but only briefly. Dialysis helped bring them back online, and strict adherence to her treatment plan helped her avoid it again for several more years.

Rebuilding While Waiting for a Second Chance

By the end of 2017, Natasha’s kidneys gave out for good. She was back in the hospital—this time with full kidney failure. She moved home again, but not to give up. Instead, she began carving out a new life.

Natasha enrolled in an online software engineering course, hoping to focus her energy on something meaningful and give herself a shot at a new future.

Her days quickly fell into a demanding routine—dialysis treatments in the morning, followed by long afternoons at her laptop, immersed in coding lessons. The physical toll was intense. Dialysis drained her energy, often leaving her feeling like she was juggling two full-time jobs. Still, Natasha viewed the challenge as necessary. She needed something to look forward to, something that reminded her she hadn’t lost control of her life.

What began as a fallback option soon turned into a genuine passion. Natasha stayed committed to the program and ultimately earned her certification, a personal victory she proudly claimed. She never let her illness stop her from pushing forward.

Then, on the night of September 14, 2022, came the call she had almost stopped hoping for—a kidney was available. She had been on transplant lists for years, unsure if it would ever happen, and when the call came, it felt surreal.

The surgery went smoothly, and although there were a few challenges with adjusting to the medication, Natasha’s body accepted the new kidney. For the first time in years, she felt a sense of stability.

“Remember to show yourself love. Receiving a transplant is a life-changing event, your body is different than it was before, and the medication can be a lot to process," Natasha said. "In times of stress or worry, it helps me to remember that things are not happening to me. I am in the driver's seat.”

What Natasha's Story Teaches Us

Natasha Kelly’s journey goes beyond just facing a chronic illness—it’s about learning to navigate life’s obstacles with resilience, embracing change when things don’t go as planned, and practicing kindness toward ourselves through difficult times. Her experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone, no matter what challenges they’re dealing with.

1. Resilience is a Daily Choice

When we think of resilient people, it’s easy to imagine them as being immune to setbacks. But what Natasha’s story reveals is that resilience isn’t about never falling down—it’s about choosing to rise every time. Each day, Natasha had to make the decision to keep moving forward, even when the path ahead felt uncertain or overwhelming.

This is something we can all take to heart: resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a choice. Every single day, we can decide to push through, even when the road gets tough.

2. Embracing Change Can Open Doors

When Natasha’s health forced her to step away from her original dreams, she didn’t let it define her. Instead, she leaned into change and sought out new opportunities. By diving into software engineering, she found a new purpose and a sense of accomplishment she didn’t expect.

This teaches us an important lesson: life doesn’t always go according to plan, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. Sometimes, the unexpected turns lead to new opportunities we might never have imagined.

3. Be Gentle with Yourself During Tough Times

One of the most powerful lessons Natasha learned on her journey was the importance of being kind to herself. After her transplant, adjusting to her new reality wasn’t easy, and the medications posed their own challenges. But instead of being hard on herself, Natasha gave herself the grace to heal and adapt.

We could all benefit from embracing this mindset: life can be difficult, and it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Practicing patience and compassion with ourselves through tough moments is just as important as pushing through the hard stuff.

4. Focus on What You Can Control

Throughout her journey, Natasha has always focused on the aspects of her life that she can control. Health challenges? She couldn’t control them. But her responses to those challenges? That was entirely up to her. Whether it was sticking to her medications or pursuing a new career, Natasha stayed focused on the things she could manage, even when much of her life felt beyond her control.

This is something we can all take to heart: when life feels overwhelming, it helps to focus on the small things we can control. We may not be able to change every circumstance, but we always have the power to choose how we react.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Natasha didn’t wait for the big milestones to celebrate—she took pride in every small victory along the way. Whether it was getting through a tough dialysis session or mastering a new coding concept, each achievement mattered. And over time, those small wins built up and kept her motivated.

It’s easy to overlook the little steps, but Natasha’s story reminds us that even small progress is still progress. Celebrating the little wins can help keep us moving forward, especially when the journey feels long and difficult.

Why This Matters to You

Natasha’s story isn’t just an inspiring tale of perseverance in the face of illness—it’s a reflection of the universal challenges we all face. Whether it’s navigating health issues, pursuing a career, juggling personal goals, or simply trying to keep up with the demands of daily life, we all experience moments when life doesn’t go as planned.

What Natasha’s journey teaches us is that resilience, adaptability, and self-compassion are not reserved for extraordinary circumstances; they are tools we can use every day to manage our own struggles. Just like Natasha, we all face situations where things get tough, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or defeated. But by adopting the mindset she demonstrates—focusing on what we can control, being patient with ourselves, and celebrating small victories—we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

This mindset also aligns closely with the values that drive our work. At the heart of what we do is the belief that everyone deserves access to the tools and support they need to live a healthy, balanced life—whether that’s through tangible products, services, or a simple reminder that we are not alone in facing life’s difficulties.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt stuck in your goals, or been overwhelmed by circumstances outside your control, Natasha’s story is a reminder that it’s possible to find strength and progress even in the most challenging situations. It’s about showing up for yourself each day, no matter how small the step. Whether it’s embracing a new career path, prioritizing your health, or simply taking the time to care for your mental well-being, you can always choose to keep moving forward.

This is the essence of our mission: empowering you to take charge of your journey, just as Natasha did. The challenges may be real, but the path to growth and fulfillment is built one step at a time, and every small victory counts.

What Science Says: The Power of Mindset in Chronic Illness and Recovery

Natasha’s experience echoes what a growing body of research has shown: mindset plays a critical role in how people cope with chronic illness and navigate recovery.

A study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that individuals with a positive outlook and strong sense of control over their health outcomes tend to experience better physical and mental well-being, even when managing serious health conditions like lupus or kidney disease. This concept, known as “health locus of control,” suggests that believing you have influence over your health decisions—like Natasha choosing to pursue software engineering while on dialysis—can significantly improve resilience and quality of life.¹

Psychologists also emphasize the importance of self-compassion during illness. Research from Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading expert in self-compassion, shows that treating oneself with kindness during times of struggle not only reduces anxiety and depression but also increases motivation and adherence to health-promoting behaviors.² Natasha’s decision to be patient with herself during her post-transplant adjustment period reflects this very principle.

Moreover, staying mentally engaged and setting goals—even small ones—can boost emotional health for people living with chronic illness. A study in Health Psychology found that goal-setting and a sense of purpose were directly linked to improved coping mechanisms and lower levels of fatigue in individuals undergoing long-term treatment.³ Natasha’s commitment to learning to code and building a new career is a textbook example of this in action.

These findings underscore an important takeaway: mindset isn’t just about “staying positive”—it’s about building habits that promote agency, self-compassion, and purpose, even in the face of medical adversity.

Your Story Isn’t Over Yet

Natasha’s story is powerful because it reminds us that healing isn’t always linear—and that even in the most difficult seasons, we still have choices. Choices to adapt. To grow. To show ourselves compassion. And to keep moving, even when the path looks different than we imagined.

You don’t have to be facing a life-threatening illness to take something from her journey. Maybe you’re dealing with burnout, a personal setback, or a goal that feels out of reach. Whatever it is, remember this: you’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to start over. And you are absolutely allowed to celebrate every small step forward.

So ask yourself—what’s one thing you can do today to reclaim your story? Maybe it’s taking a break. Maybe it’s setting a goal. Maybe it’s simply saying, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”

Whatever it is, start there. You’re in the driver’s seat.