FertilityFocus

What do a spelling bee champion and your fertility journey have in common? More than you think—and this might just change how you look at setbacks forever.

You might have seen the recent viral moment: Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old, almost lost it all on live TV during the Scripps National Spelling Bee. He flubbed a word—self-inflicted, unthinkable, gut-wrenching. But what did he do next? He recovered. Not just recovered—he came back and WON the entire competition. If you missed it, watch the unforgettable moment here.

Sound familiar? If you're on a fertility journey, especially at home, you already know: sometimes you feel like the odds are stacked against you. Maybe you missed a cycle, misread an ovulation test, or felt your hope slip just out of reach. The setbacks can feel as public and personal as a flubbed word on national television. But what if these "failures" are actually the fuel for your future success?

The Myth of the Perfect Path (and Why It Needs Busting)

Let's be honest—Instagram makes it look so easy. Happy families, positive pregnancy tests, everything perfectly filtered. We all know that's not the full story. Like Faizan on the spelling bee stage, you can't plan for every twist or guarantee each cycle will end with a win. But here's a not-so-secret truth: the people who succeed aren't the ones who never stumble—they're the ones who dust themselves off and spell one more word.

This lesson isn't just for kids in spelling bees. It's the game-changer for anyone trying to grow their family, especially in 2025, when conversations around resilience and self-advocacy are louder (and more essential) than ever.

The Open Loop: What If Your "Mistakes" Actually Move You Forward?

Remember that pit-in-your-stomach feeling when something didn't go as planned? Maybe you:

• Missed a key ovulation window
• Struggled with insemination technique
• Faced another negative test after months of trying

What if I told you these moments aren't evidence that you can't do this?

They're proof that you are doing it. You're learning, adapting, and building emotional muscle—the same qualities that led Faizan Zaki from flub to champion. Maybe your big win is just on the next cycle.

How to Find Strength When You Feel Overwhelmed

If you're feeling stuck, here's what you can borrow from Faizan:

1. Pause, Don't Panic. When he realized his mistake, he didn't collapse—he took a breath. In fertility, recognizing a setback is the first step to regrouping.
2. Lean on Your Support System. Like the family and coaches rooting for Faizan, your circle—whether friends, online communities, or expert guides—is a critical part of your journey.
3. Trust the Process (and Your Tools). You don't have to spell every word from memory; in the fertility world, you have resources and innovations at your fingertips.

One such resource making a difference right now? MakeAMom's at-home insemination solutions are designed to empower people just like you—offering practical, user-friendly options with a 67% success rate among users. It's not about erasing all obstacles—it's about having the courage to keep spelling, even when you stumble.

Why This Moment Matters More Than Ever

Post-pandemic, self-directed healthcare is exploding. People aren't waiting for perfect conditions—they're taking charge of their dreams at home, on their own terms. But with new freedom comes new fear: "What if I mess it up? What if it takes longer than I thought?" The zeitgeist of 2025 is all about redefining success as persistence, not perfection.

Ask yourself: - What would I do if I knew setbacks were part of the process—not proof that I should stop? - Am I willing to give myself grace between the flubs and the final win?

The Comeback: Your Story Is Still Being Written

Every fertility journey is unique, with its own twists, turns, and—yes—moments of public (or private) "flubs." Like a spelling bee, nobody hands you the answers, but every time you try again, you're moving closer to your goal.

So when you're feeling defeated, remember Faizan. Remember that your comeback might already be in motion. And most of all, remember that persistence—supported by community, the right resources, and a little self-compassion—is what separates champions from the rest.

Ready for your next attempt? Take a deep breath—you've got this. Your story's biggest victory could be just a word (or a cycle) away.

What setback taught you your greatest lesson on your journey? Share your story below, and let’s root for each other until we all reach our own big wins!

What does Memorial Day have to do with your fertility journey? More than you might think.

As we watched former President Joe Biden honor the memory of his son, Beau, in a moving ABC News Memorial Day tribute, many of us were reminded just how deeply personal the concepts of family, legacy, and hope truly are. President Biden’s heartfelt words about loss, love, and the enduring power of family didn’t just resonate with military families—they struck a chord for anyone trying to build or grow their own family, especially those embarking on the often-challenging path of fertility.

The Unspoken Side of Fertility: Grief and Legacy

Here’s a truth we don’t talk about enough: the journey toward parenthood isn’t always about the positive pregnancy tests and baby announcements. For many, it’s also a series of losses—of expectations, routines, and sometimes, pregnancies. It’s about honoring what you’ve endured and who you hope to become.

If you felt a tug at your heart while watching President Biden speak about Beau, you’re not alone. His vulnerability in the face of unimaginable loss is a reminder: Your feelings are valid. Processing emotions—grief, longing, hope, and joy—is an essential part of this deeply personal chapter.

Why Ritual and Remembrance Matter—Even for Would-Be Parents

Ask yourself: When was the last time you paused to acknowledge your journey so far?

Memorials aren’t just for the past—they’re for honoring possibilities too. Maybe you’ve lost a pregnancy, experienced failed cycles, or felt societal pressure around timing. The act of remembrance, like President Biden’s tribute, can actually help you move forward:

• Acknowledging loss creates space for healing.
• Honoring your journey affirms that your feelings matter.
• Reflecting on legacy empowers future hopes.

In 2025, we’re seeing a cultural shift: more people are openly discussing infertility, pregnancy loss, and non-traditional paths to parenthood. There’s never been a more important time to recognize your own strength and vulnerability.

The Link Between Emotional Wellness and Fertility Success

Here’s a shocker: Mental and emotional health directly influence fertility outcomes. Studies show that chronic stress and unprocessed grief can disrupt hormonal balance, ovulation, and even sperm motility. In other words, your feelings aren’t just “in your head”—they impact your entire reproductive landscape.

But there’s good news. Prioritizing mental and emotional wellness isn’t only about preventing burnout; it can also:

• Boost your resilience to setbacks
• Improve communication with your partner or support system
• Help you make more informed, empowered choices (hello, boundaries!)

How At-Home Fertility Options Are Changing the Conversation

Now, here’s where hope enters the picture. The rise of at-home fertility solutions in the past year isn’t just about convenience or privacy. It’s about restoring a sense of agency and control for people who’ve faced enough uncertainty already.

Companies like MakeAMom’s trusted insemination kits are part of a wider movement empowering individuals and couples to take actionable steps on their own terms. Whether you’re tackling fertility after loss, exploring donor options, or facing medical barriers, the ability to begin your family-building journey at home can be profoundly healing.

• Kits like CryoBaby are tailored for those using frozen or low-volume sperm—ideal post-cancer or after other health challenges.
• The Impregnator kit supports those with low motility sperm, making family-building more inclusive.
• The BabyMaker kit considers users with sensitivities or conditions like vaginismus, meeting people exactly where they are.

And because MakeAMom’s kits are reusable and discreetly shipped, the experience remains private and cost-effective—removing some of the stressors that can cloud the experience.

Honoring the Journey—Every Step Counts

Just as Memorial Day isn’t just a holiday, your path to parenthood isn’t just a checklist or a series of medical procedures. It’s a personal journey marked by resilience, hope, and the willingness to keep going—even after setbacks.

So, as you reflect on national moments of remembrance or your own private milestones, take a moment to honor your story. Lighting a candle, journaling, or simply taking a mindful pause can bring clarity and healing. And know that you’re not alone—entire communities, resources, and innovations are emerging to help you along the way.

Your legacy begins long before parenthood. Honor your journey.

Have you found ways to commemorate your fertility journey? How do moments of remembrance shape your path forward? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—your story could be the inspiration someone else needs today.

Have you ever opened your phone, swiped up for a quick weather check, and—BAM!—your photo app drops you into 2018? Instantly, you're looking at a vacation selfie you forgot existed, a dog you barely recognize, and a weird dinner you swear you didn't cook. I recently read Julia Edelman and Ginny Hogan’s hilarious piece, 'Everything My iPhoto Memories Has Chosen to Resurface', and honestly? I felt seen in a way only an awkward collection of digital memories can make you feel.

But as someone navigating the wild world of at-home fertility, these surprise photos have started to feel less like “cringe” and more like tiny emotional lessons. Maybe you’ve felt it too—the sting of a baby shower pic, the nostalgia of old couple selfies from your hopeful dating phase, or even the comfort of your cat curled up on your lap during a stressful treatment cycle.

Why do these random iPhoto blasts pack such a punch, and what can they teach us on the fertility journey?

The Emotional Rollercoaster… In Your Pocket

I’ll admit it—sometimes these memory-popups catch me totally off guard. One minute I’m boiling water for pasta, the next I’m spiraling because I’ve stumbled on a picture of my best friend’s kid’s first birthday. (The irony: she swore she was “bad at getting pregnant.”) And it’s not just envy—sometimes it’s a goofy photo of my partner making pancakes, or the way my old apartment looked before the mountain of ovulation tests took over the bathroom counter.

Sound familiar? If you’re plotting ovulation charts or eyeing at-home insemination kits, these flashbacks can feel equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. But here’s where it gets interesting:

• They remind you how far you’ve come.
• They show you what’s possible—even if it’s not the life you planned.
• They prove you have resilience (and a fantastic sense of humor).

When Memories Sting (And How to Cope)

Let’s get real: sometimes old photos just hurt. You see yourself at a time you thought “it would’ve happened by now,” and there’s a pang in your chest. As Edelman and Hogan brilliantly joke, our photo apps have an uncanny knack for digging up precisely the wrong moment at the wrong time.

But here’s something I’ve learned from both awkward iPhoto reminders and this rollercoaster fertility ride:

• It’s okay to feel whatever you’re feeling. If you need to ugly-cry, do it. If you want to rage-scroll, go for it.
• Try reframing. What if, instead of seeing “the failed cycles” or “the happy families,” you spotted your own courage, your tenacity, or even just your epic pancake-making skills?
• Reach for support. Whether it’s a text to a friend or an online forum, you’re not alone.

Fertility, Technology, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Here’s the wild part: Both fertility journeys and smartphone memories have something sneaky in common. They’re rarely straightforward. They mess with your expectations. They force you to rewrite your own story, sometimes daily.

Scrolling through memories can make you question everything: Did I wait too long? Was I ever really ready? Why does everyone else seem so… fertile? (Spoiler: They aren’t. Everyone is just editing their own “highlight reel.”)

But if you look closely, those photos can also remind you of good times, acts of bravery (like that terrifying first home insemination kit unboxing), and the tiny moments that aren’t about babies at all, but about love and persistence.

Practical Tips for Navigating Photo-Induced Emotional Spirals

If you’re deep in TTC (that’s “trying to conceive,” by the way) and your camera roll is a minefield, here are a few sanity-saving ideas:

• Curate Your Memories: It’s okay to hit “hide.” You get to decide what you revisit.
• Create a Future Album: Snap photos that envision your future family—your cozy at-home rituals, your partner’s silly faces, even the fertility milestones (with a side of snark).
• Lean into Humor: Like Edelman and Hogan, make fun of your apps’ choices! Caption the next random photo, “This slice of banana bread is the closest I’ve come to creating new life this year.”
• Remember the Wins: Celebrate the little victories—whether it’s learning to self-inject, surviving a cycle, making the call to try something new, or just getting out of bed on a tough day.

Choosing the Tools That Empower You (Subtle, But Life-Changing)

A huge part of taking charge of your fertility story is finding options that fit your reality. Not everyone can (or wants to) march into a clinic for every milestone, and that’s okay. There’s real strength in exploring alternatives, especially with so much uncertainty in the air.

Whether you’re using tech to track cycles or considering an at-home insemination kit like these thoughtfully designed, privacy-focused options from MakeAMom, you’re taking back control in a world that loves to surprise you (and not always in the best ways).

The Final (Bittersweet) Lesson

Your phone’s photo apps will keep surprising you—sometimes with pain, sometimes with hope, always with a dash of “What were we thinking with those haircut choices?” But what matters most is this: Every memory, every awkward snapshot, is proof that you’re still here, still hoping, and still writing your next chapter.

So, the next time iPhoto drags you down memory lane, take a deep breath. Maybe even laugh. Because every journey (fertility included) is a real, messy, sometimes hilarious work in progress.

How do you handle the emotional curveballs your digital memories throw? Share your survival tips below—because we could all use a little more support (and maybe fewer pictures of weird quinoa bowls).