When both of my parents died, I ran from grief by burying myself in work. I had to learn work-life balance all over again.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Matthew Lovell and his parents
The author struggled after the death of both of his parents.

Courtesy of Matthew Lovell

My husband and I would break out sobbing when we first became empty nesters. We found joy together.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Grandma with grandkids
The author says being an empty nester is not what she expected.

Courtesy of the author

I became a single mom of twins when my fiancé died unexpectedly. Grief rewired my ambition.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her twin children.
When the author's fiancé died, she became a single mom of twins overnight.

Courtesy of Darlene A. White

I grew up in a house without family photos on the walls. I didn't realize what I was missing until I became a parent myself.

Tech Insider : Business
Family posing for photo
The author says seeing family photos in her house changes her mood for the better.

Courtesy of the author

I don't give my 7-year-old an allowance. Instead, he runs a neighborhood business, where neighbors pay him to take out their trash.

Tech Insider : Business
Laura palmers son taking out a large trash can to the street
The author's son started a garbage business in the neighborhood.

Courtesy of Laura Palamer

My family and I are moving back to my hometown to be closer to my parents. We're giving it a year to see how it goes.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The author with her parents, smiling on a sunny day.
The author wants to move back to her hometown to be closer to her parents.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

I lived in a converted toolshed after the 2008 recession. It taught me resilience, and now, I run multiple businesses.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
a man drilling a roof on a toolshed
The author (not pictured) lived in a toolshed when he had no other options.

NataKor/Getty Images

After my son was born, I had a hard time leaving our house. Trying new experiences got me out and helped me make friends.

Tech Insider : Business
The author during a pasta-making class.
The author took a pasta-making class.

Courtesy of Autumn Gavora

I grew up missing my grandfather. Now I'm making sure the 400-mile distance doesn't keep my kids from knowing theirs.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Kids on phone
The author makes sure her children have a connection with their grandparents.

Courtesy of the author

I quit vaping only 6 months ago and have saved over $900. It hasn't been easy, but I'm feeling healthier.

Tech Insider : Business
a man vaping
The author quit vaping because it was too expensive.

Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images

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