We recently had the chance to connect with Shaelishia Stevens and have shared our conversation below.
Shaelishia , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is definitely full, but every part of it carries meaning. I’m a proud mother of five — four sons and one daughter — and my family remains the heartbeat of everything I do. Two of my boys are in college, stepping into their independence. Navigating this stage of parenting has been one of my biggest challenges, but I still check in often to make sure they’re grounded, focused, and supported. My younger boys are in middle and high school, so I’m deeply involved in their academics and activities, whether it’s football, track meets, or ROTC events.
And then there’s my daughter — my little sour patch. She’s sweet, bold, and unforgettable all at once. She’s on the dance team at her school, loves sports, and dreams of becoming her own superstar. Her shy-but-bubbly spirit lights up every room she walks into. She’s a ball of joy, and whether she’s performing or just being her playful self, she captures attention without even trying. I make sure to carve out special one-on-one moments with her, because those are the times that truly ground me.
Professionally, I’m a nurse while also pursuing additional certification and working toward my PhD. Between work and school, I still create space for the things that feed my spirit — writing, drawing, playing the piano, and styling hair, especially braids for children. I’m currently working on my fourth adult book and third children’s book, all while building my clientele for my home health business.
Faith and grounding shape my routine. I read, meditate, and pray with my family every single day. I also make it a priority to travel with my children and take solo trips when I need to recharge, reset, and protect my peace.
My days stay busy, but they’re filled with purpose. I’ve learned to balance responsibility with joy, ambition with serenity, and I truly thrive in the fast-paced, multifaceted life I’ve been blessed to build.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a multifaceted woman who wears many hats — and I carry each one with purpose. First and foremost, I’m a mother of five amazing children. They are my greatest motivation and the reason I push myself to show up as the best version of me every day. Beyond motherhood, I am a dedicated nurse, an entrepreneur, a creator, and a lifelong learner.
Professionally, I work in healthcare not only in a clinical setting but also through my own business, where I provide in-home care for individuals who need dependable, compassionate support. I’m not just a nurse — I’m also certified as an X-ray technician and a phlebotomist. These additional skills allow me to offer more complete, well-rounded care and to truly meet people where they are in their health journey. I take deep pride in providing services that help people feel safe, seen, and valued in the comfort of their own homes.
I’m also a published author — a title that reflects my love for storytelling and expression. Writing has always been both a release and a source of healing for me. I’m currently working on my fourth adult book and my third children’s book, each one inspired by real-life experiences, lessons, and the desire to uplift, empower, and sometimes simply bring joy to others.
What makes my journey unique is how I’ve learned to blend caregiving, creativity, and entrepreneurship while still being a present, intentional mother. I’m also pursuing my PhD because growth is a commitment I make not only to myself, but to the example I set for my children and my community. I believe that striving, learning, and evolving are acts of self-love and leadership.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my writing brand, growing my home healthcare business, and completing my educational goals. But I’m also intentional about making space for what nourishes my spirit — love, travel, family time, and peaceful moments that keep me grounded.
My life is full, layered, and ever-evolving — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people?
Bonds between people often break when communication weakens, expectations go unspoken, and trust begins to erode. Misunderstandings, assumptions, and emotional distance can create cracks that grow deeper over time. But one of the biggest destroyers of relationships — whether friendships, family ties, or romantic connections — is outside interference. When mess, drama, or unnecessary opinions are allowed in, it turns small issues into big problems.
When people feel the need to involve others in situations that should remain between the ones directly involved, it invites confusion, judgment, and pressure. Outsiders can twist the truth, take sides, or fuel negativity that didn’t need to exist. Even in relationships that have the potential to grow into a beautiful love story, the quickest way to ruin it is by letting others dictate how it should unfold. Privacy protects peace; drama destroys it. When people fail to keep their bond sacred, the connection weakens.
What restores those bonds?
Restoring bonds requires vulnerability, patience, and the courage to have honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Healing begins when both people are willing to listen deeply instead of reacting, to understand rather than accuse. It takes intention — choosing to rebuild instead of running away.
Forgiveness is essential, too: forgiving the other person, and also forgiving yourself for the moments you didn’t know better. Trust doesn’t come back overnight; it returns through consistent actions, accountability, and showing up with sincerity.
Keeping outsiders out is also crucial when restoring a bond. Protecting the relationship from unnecessary voices allows the two people involved to reconnect without noise, pressure, or confusion. Shared experiences, small gestures of care, and mutual respect go a long way in piecing together what was broken.
Ultimately, love and genuine effort are the most powerful tools for healing any relationship. When two people choose each other with clarity, intention, and privacy, almost anything can be restored.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life began when I was just a teenager, still trying to understand who I was and what the world expected of me. Becoming pregnant at 18 felt like stepping into a life I wasn’t prepared for, yet was convinced I had no choice but to accept. I was raised to believe that once this happened, my path was set in stone — that my future belonged to the role I was forced into, not the one I still hoped to create.
What started as innocent young love shifted into something much darker. Addiction transformed the once-kind boy I knew into someone unrecognizable. I soon found myself in a toxic marriage, fighting silently for stability while raising my sons. I felt trapped — emotionally, mentally, and financially — and the guilt of wanting more for myself was a burden I carried alone. The fear, isolation, and constant pressure to stay “for the children” created a deep wound that touched every part of my identity.
Healing wasn’t a single moment — it was a long, demanding journey. I had to unlearn years of conditioning that taught me to endure pain quietly. I had to rebuild my sense of self after losing it to survival mode. Therapy helped me find my voice again. Education helped me reclaim my future. Faith, family, and self-reflection helped me rebuild my confidence piece by piece. I learned boundaries. I learned to choose peace over chaos. And I learned that walking away from what hurts you is not weakness — it is strength.
Another defining wound came from betrayal and broken trust, moments when people invited drama, outsiders, and unnecessary opinions into situations that should have remained private. I learned the hard way that letting the wrong people in can damage bonds that were meant to grow. It taught me to protect my relationships — especially those with the potential to become something beautiful — from interference, gossip, and negativity. Love cannot grow where too many voices are trying to shape it.
Today, my wounds no longer define me — they guide me. They’ve made me a more intentional mother, a more compassionate caregiver, a stronger woman, and someone who values honesty, respect, and transparency in every connection I build.
Healing hasn’t made my past disappear, but it has transformed it into wisdom. And from that wisdom, I’ve created a life rooted in purpose, peace, resilience, and a fierce commitment to never lose myself again.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I see fads as short-term trends that often spark excitement but lack lasting impact. They tend to be reactive—quick fixes or flashy changes that don’t address deeper needs or challenges. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, are transformative changes that reshape how we think, work, or live on a fundamental level. They’re rooted in real problems and have staying power because they bring meaningful improvements or new ways of approaching things.
To differentiate between the two, I look for sustainability and depth. Does this change solve a core issue, or is it just surface-level? Is it adaptable over time, or does it fade as soon as the novelty wears off? I also pay attention to whether it influences behavior, mindset, or systems in a way that lasts beyond the initial hype. I want things that build something lasting, that push boundaries for the better, and not just what’s popular for a moment.
Ultimately, I trust patterns that evolve from genuine need and consistent value, rather than fleeting excitement. The lasting impact comes from changes that are born out of care and vision, ones that resonate deeply with people’s hearts and lead to real growth. I don’t want to invest in things that feel good now but have no real depth or substance to sustain them for the future. Instead, I pour my energy into things that create meaningful, long-term progress, even when the road to it feels hard or uncertain. It’s about being intentional and staying true to what really matters.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
What I think I would regret most is not standing up to protect someone I genuinely care about, or someone I believe truly deserves protection and support. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or even someone who depends on me professionally, I’ve always felt called to be a voice and a shield for people who may not be able to defend themselves. That’s a part of who I am at my core. I never want to look back and regret not expressing my feelings or failing to fix misunderstandings. It’s important to me to always speak from the heart, especially when there are fallouts or missed chances. I don’t ever want to leave words unsaid or pass up the opportunity to give someone a chance to make things right. Life is too short for unspoken thoughts and unresolved feelings. I want to be open, honest, and loving, no matter the circumstances, so I can move forward with a clear heart, knowing I did all I could.
I would also regret not pursuing my own goals or allowing myself to get distracted to the point where I lose sight of what really matters to me. I’ve worked too hard, survived too much, and pushed through too many setbacks to let my dreams slip through my fingers because of fear, doubt, or temporary distractions.
Regret usually comes from the moments when we don’t act—when we stay silent, stay still, or let opportunities pass by. So I try to remind myself to stay present, stay focused, and stay courageous. Protecting others and pursuing my own purpose go hand in hand. Both require strength. Both call for integrity. And if I were to hold back, either by not speaking up for someone who needs me or by not going after what I know is meant for me—that’s where true regret would live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Reallovehomehealthcare.com
- Instagram: @shaelishia
- Other: Amazon
Image Credits
Captured by @nicedidit
