How a Stormy Night Changed My Fertility Mindset Forever (And What It Means for Your TTC Journey)

Thunder, Lightning, and a Gut-Check: The Unexpected Lesson I Learned About TTC During a Blackout

Picture this: It’s a muggy Thursday in June 2025, and I’m sprawled on my couch, ovulation app in one hand, herbal tea in the other. The news blares in the background—something about more than 40 million people under severe weather threat across the South and East Coast. I cringe as I hear about lives lost and entire neighborhoods plunged into darkness (watch the full ABC News story).

Minutes later, the first thunderclap rattles my apartment. Then—bam—total blackout. Suddenly, any illusion of control I thought I had, vanished. No Wi-Fi. No way to obsess over charts or connect with my TTC support group. Just the sound of rain pounding my window and my own anxious thoughts.

The Parallels Between Storms and Fertility Struggles

It hit me right there in the silent darkness: Trying to conceive (TTC) can feel exactly like riding out a violent storm. You prep and plan. You buy all the right “fertility umbrellas”—the supplements, the tests, the apps. But sometimes, despite doing everything right, chaos strikes anyway. Cycles go haywire. Hope flickers. Your power (literally or metaphorically) gets knocked out.

So what do you do when Mother Nature—and Motherhood—refuse to stick to your script?

Open Loop Alert: Can You Really Prepare for the Unpredictable?

That night, I sat there asking myself: Can you ever be ready for the setbacks, the heartbreak, or the curveballs that come with this journey? And even if you can’t, is there a way to build resilience so you don’t get swept away every time a storm rolls through?

The answer, I discovered (with the help of a few soggy candles and some deep breathing), is yes—but maybe not in the way you think.

The “Control What You Can” Approach: Finding Calm in the Chaos

• Acceptance Over Perfection: Just like with weather events, you can’t control every outcome with TTC. But you can choose your mindset. It’s okay to grieve the cycles that didn’t work or the plans that got washed out. Progress isn’t always linear.
• Build a Toolkit: After my power came back, I started approaching my fertility journey like prepping for a storm. I stocked up on the essentials—not just ovulation tests, but also self-care rituals, emergency contacts (hello, therapist on speed dial!), and backup plans for when things went sideways.
• Stay Informed, Not Obsessed: I used to spiral into endless research every time I hit a snag. Now, I focus on trusted resources and only check my apps once a day. I even found comfort knowing that companies like MakeAMom offer discreet, science-backed options for at-home insemination, so if clinical appointments get tossed by bad weather (or, let’s be honest, stress), there are reliable backups built for real life—not just textbook cycles.

True Story: Community Matters Most When the Lights Go Out

As the storm raged, my phone battery dwindled. I couldn’t reach my usual online TTC tribe. But when the sun rose, I found handwritten notes from neighbors slipped under my door—offers to share food, phone chargers, and stories of their own “chaotic” nights. It reminded me: You really are never alone. Whether it’s your literal neighbor or someone sharing their struggles in the FertilityUnlocked community, vulnerability is what gets us through.

So, What’s the Secret to Surviving the Emotional Storms of TTC?

Here’s what I came away with:

• Let go of the illusion of total control. Instead, focus on small, daily actions that ground you.
• Lean into your support networks, both IRL and online.
• Equip yourself with tools for the journey—not just medical, but emotional and practical, too.
• Celebrate your resilience, no matter how messy the process feels.

Final Thoughts (And a Challenge to You):

We may not have a say in when the rain comes or how long it lasts. But we do get to choose how we weather the storm. Next time a setback shakes your TTC plans—or knocks out your Wi-Fi—ask yourself: What can I control, right now? How can I take one small, hopeful step, no matter how dark it gets?

Because here’s the truth: Even after the wildest storm, the sun always rises. And your dream—of becoming a parent, of building your family—isn’t erased by one rough night. It’s just gathering strength, like you are, to try again.

Have you weathered your own TTC “storm”? What helped you stay resilient? Drop your story in the comments—we’re stronger together.