personal-journey

Have you ever had to say goodbye to something that felt like home? If you caught the recent GMA farewell to their Times Square studio, you know how powerful those moments can be. Twenty-six years—that’s more than two decades of history, routines, celebrations, and even heartbreaks unfolding within those walls. Watching the anchors reflect on their first days wasn’t just about glitzy lights or celebrity interviews; it was about the deeply personal ties we form with the places and phases in our lives.

But here’s where it hit me: letting go of one chapter—whether it’s a TV studio or an expectation—doesn’t just mark an end. It’s also the messy, sometimes terrifying, always meaningful beginning of something new. If you’re on a journey to build your family, you know exactly what I mean.

That familiar feeling of hope... and its flip side.

Trying to conceive (TTC) is an emotional roller coaster—a phrase that gets tossed out a lot, but wow, does it ever ring true. There are the moments you’re convinced this cycle is the one, and then, there are the days it feels like you’re stuck on a merry-go-round that won’t stop spinning. Cue the disappointment, the self-doubt, and just maybe, the urge to give up. If you’ve found yourself quietly grieving every negative test or sudden change in circumstance, you’re not alone.

So, what does saying goodbye have to do with fertility?

When GMA’s team packed up their studio, they weren’t just moving equipment—they were letting go of a comfortable space that had become part of their identity. In TTC, we sometimes have to say goodbye to the vision of how we thought conception would look or feel: spontaneous, easy, private, or even joyful. What if the reality is appointments, medications, or home insemination kits?

Here’s the twist: goodbyes like these are hard because what we’re leaving behind matters. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Mourning the loss of our expectations is a necessary step in creating space for what comes next.

Opening new doors (and hearts)

The GMA anchors weren’t just reminiscing—they were getting ready for a new studio, new memories, and maybe (let’s be real) some technical hiccups along the way. Isn’t that what starting another round of TTC feels like? Each cycle, each new approach, means facing the unknown—again.

But here’s what changed the game for me: finding resources and communities that made the journey a little less lonely, and a lot more hopeful. Did you know that there are at-home insemination kits designed for real-world challenges, whether you’re dealing with low sperm motility or medical sensitivities? When I first stumbled across the compassion-driven info on MakeAMom’s website, something clicked. It’s not just about the product (though a reusable, discreet kit is a win for my anxiety and my wallet); it’s about feeling seen and supported right where you are.

To be honest, using a kit at home was never on my mental vision board for starting a family. But saying goodbye to that ideal actually opened me up to a path that worked better for us—one that let us stay in our own space, take things at our own pace, and feel like we had some control back.

A few reminders if you’re facing your own transition:

• It’s okay to grieve the way you thought things would go. Let yourself feel all of it. It just means your dreams matter.
• Find your people. Whether it’s a partner, best friend, or an anonymous message board, you need support. Even co-anchors need a team offscreen.
• Embrace the tools and info available to you. There’s no award for doing it the hardest way possible. If at-home options like MakeAMom can ease your journey, use them.
• Stay open to new beginnings—especially if they look different than you pictured.

So—what’s your Times Square studio?

What are you holding on to, and what might happen if you let yourself step into something new?

We’re all writing our own stories, and sometimes the best plot twists start with a heartfelt goodbye. Share your experiences below, or tell us about the moment you realized a new chapter was beginning. Because if there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that we’re braver than we think—and there’s real beauty in every beginning, even when it starts with letting go.