It’s November in Tampa, and finally, the air has begun to cool. There’s a gentleness in the breeze that signals not just the change of seasons, but the end of another hurricane season—one that always arrives with anxiety and, this year, seems to be drifting away at last.
A Transition in Tampa
This city in Florida is now my new home. Moving here from South Africa (actually from Connecticut, I was there for 3 years before landing here – I decided to move states and escape the cold) was both thrilling and daunting, a leap that uprooted me and left me to weather more than just storms. The relief that hurricane season is nearly past is palpable—each quiet, rainless day feels like a small victory, a sign that perhaps the worst is behind me, not just in the weather, but in my own life.
Solitude, Community, and Change
Living alone in Tampa has challenged me in ways I never expected. The sudden quiet after summer’s storms mirrors the shifts in my own world since the loss of my spouse almost 3 years ago, not long after we arrived in Tampa. I am learning resilience, discovering a version of myself who embraces new routines, nesting in my home, well kind of, I still intentionally keep as few possessions as possible, and slowly find friends in unexpected places. This city—vibrant, sun-drenched, alive—offers both solitude and the beginnings of community. Evenings spent exploring the bay or meeting locals remind me I am not truly alone. But am I?
Building Roots Far From Home
Building new roots far from home is as much an inward journey as it is an outward one. Each day calls for honest self-reflection—a willingness to sit with my thoughts and truly examine who I am becoming, who I want to be, and what I must leave behind. Therapy has become an anchor, helping me navigate the complex emotions that surface in the wake of loss and extreme change. Combining this with journaling, I give myself room to untangle feelings, celebrate small victories, and process setbacks. The pages hold both my doubts and my dreams, gradually revealing the slow, steady progress of healing and personal growth.
In this season, I’m not just striving for success in my work, but yearning to become better at life itself. Every intentional choice—no matter how small—feels like an act of hope, a vote in favor of my own resilience. Underneath it all is a deeper longing: a need to reconnect with my maker, to find spiritual grounding after so much upheaval.
The act of seeking is itself transformative, inviting a sense of peace and purpose into my days. As I learn the rhythms of Tampa, I also learn new rhythms of prayer, reflection, and gratitude. This spiritual pursuit fills the spaces between moments, reinforcing my desire not just to survive, but to flourish, mind, body, and soul.
South African Spirit, Ubuntu in Florida
Looking back on my journey, I’m often confronted by moments where I didn’t show up as my best self—instances where stress, grief, or uncertainty clouded my interactions, and I struggled to truly embody the warmth and openness that South African culture cherishes. There are regrets—words unsaid or said in haste, times when my actions didn’t honor the Ubuntu spirit of togetherness and deep care. These memories can weigh heavy, but self-reflection reminds me that growth is born out of honesty and humility.
I never set out to hurt or disappoint anyone; my intentions are rooted in kindness and a sincere desire to add value wherever I am. Acknowledging missteps is difficult, but it’s also transformative. By owning my imperfections, I find clarity and resolve. Each mistake becomes a lesson, guiding me to be more present, more compassionate, and more deeply engaged with the people around me. The South African ethos of community pushes me to keep trying—to build trust, to apologize when I fall short, and to constantly strive to uplift others, whether in Tampa or anywhere life takes me.
In this city, far from the landscapes and loved ones of home, Ubuntu continues to guide me. It calls me to look beyond myself, to seek out ways to contribute meaningfully, and to remember that we are all shaped by the connections we build. Each day is a renewed commitment to letting that spirit shine through, nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose, and becoming someone who adds value—through both successes and the grace to learn from regrets.
And for those not familiar with the Ubuntu concept, Ubuntu is a profound South Africa African philosophy that means “I am because we are” and expresses the belief that our humanity is shaped through our relationships with others. This concept is foundational to South African culture, emphasizing interconnectedness, compassion, and communal support rather than focusing only on individual achievement.
Ubuntu encourages a strong sense of togetherness, kindness, and harmony, urging each person to recognize that their actions impact the community and that true fulfillment comes from caring for the collective as much as the self.
This philosophy is deeply important to South Africans because it has informed the way communities care for one another, resolve conflicts, and rebuild following times of hardship—most notably after apartheid. Ubuntu taught us that when one person suffers, the community suffers, but when we lift each other up, everyone benefits. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu used Ubuntu as a guiding principle for reconciliation, forgiveness, and creating a nation that values every individual’s dignity.
In carrying Ubuntu with me to Tampa, even as I reflect upon mistakes and regrets, I am reminded that my worth and growth are intertwined with my care for others. Although I have at times failed to show up as my best self, my commitment to embodying Ubuntu pushes me to learn, add value, and build genuine, supportive communities with those around me, no matter where I am in the world.
Moving Forward
As November breezes bring a welcome coolness and the intensity of hurricane season passes, there’s a growing sense that a major chapter is closing in my life. Tampa is my home right now—a place that has both challenged and supported me during one of the most difficult years of my life. The truth is, I still don’t know if I will plant permanent roots here; the future remains uncertain, and the question of where I truly belong still lingers in my heart. Yet, there is hope that wherever I end up, it will be exactly where I need to be.
2025 tested me in ways I never imagined possible. The depth of emotions I have experienced (and finally faced)—grief, loneliness, resilience, and slow, steady renewal—forced me to confront parts of myself I never knew existed. Each struggle, while overwhelming at times, has also been an opportunity to grow and discover inner strengths that only hardship can reveal. Even through the toughest moments, I’ve tried to hold onto gratitude: for fresh starts, for the small joys of daily life, for the unexpected kindnesses that Tampa and some of its wonderful people that I have had the good fortune of meeting, have offered.
Looking ahead to 2026, I choose optimism. The lessons learned this year have shaped me in profound ways, leaving me more resilient and open to whatever possibilities the future holds. I am embracing hope—hope for healing, for community, for a renewed sense of purpose, and for the chance to keep building a life that honors both where I come from and where I am going.
As the year draws to a close, the simple act of believing in brighter days ahead feels like the most courageous choice of all.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
