I was fired from my 12 year career as a flight attendant on the evening of Saturday, July 19, 2025. It felt like, little by little, my world had gone into complete chaos. I wasn’t even looking in the mirror anymore.

Fired? I had never gotten fired from anywhere in my life. My ego had exploded. What was I going to do? What just happened? What was I going to do about it?

I couldn’t recognize myself. I allowed the wrong person into my life and here was my final reward. It was time to clean house. I used my anger, my vengeance, anything and everything to get back up as quickly as I could.

It was “go time”.

I then took a walk and strategized. What’s next? What else am I throwing out of my life? I have a list now. It took four days to get disrespect out of my life. I couldn’t save anyone but myself.

I wondered where I went wrong, thinking of all the times I was saying yes when I wanted to say no. I didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings or start a confrontation. I was the nice person, the healer, the people pleaser.

Don’t get me wrong— these can be wonderful attributes to have. The art is knowing when and to whom to give them to, as long as you don’t ever betray yourself, as I have.

I had completely lost myself. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. Then the toughest questions arrived. What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What is my passion? Who am I and what was I created to do?

Then… I heard a voice: “Journalism.”

God was sending me a message.

“Journalism? Where did that come from? I have never, ever thought about being a Journalist”, I thought. Then he continued “El Camino College.”

Nine months later, I am in my second semester of journalism at El Camino College. I am in the newsroom as a reporter for the school’s paper, The Union and back to working full-time as a realtor in the South Bay with a new home that brings me pure joy and bliss.

The day before my birthday, Friday, April 10, I shot the first episode of my podcast, “Heart to Heart Convo’s with Michelle Claire.” I was nervous but I’m just getting warmed up. Comeback stories that can bring hope.

After years of talking, now I am doing. I have no idea where I am going to end up, but I finally know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. In my creative element and I’m having a ball.

Although I am almost twice the age of my classmates, taking the most intense class I have ever taken in my life, I understand that losing my flight attendant career was my greatest blessing. It forced me to make the changes I needed to make. I am now living on purpose and doing what’s best for me.

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