Hey there, lovely humans! It’s Tina here—your friendly neighborhood girl trying to navigate this wild, unpredictable ride called life. Today, I want to share something that’s been on my mind lately—a little experiment I did, just to see who’s really got my back when the chips are down. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot more complicated than I thought.

So, I did another one of my experiments—yep, I’m that person who likes to poke the bear and see what happens. This time, I set up a GoFundMe. Not because I enjoy asking for help (trust me, I’d rather do a hundred cartwheels than beg strangers for money), but because I wanted to see who would step up if I were in a real jam. It’s like a social experiment, but instead of lab coats and goggles, it’s me, emotionally exposing myself to the digital world.

Honestly, I’ve always wondered about the kindness of strangers. Sometimes I see stories of people getting thousands of dollars overnight, and I think, “Wow, that’s amazing.” But in my case, I’ve always felt like I’d be left to drown if things went south. No lifeguard, no rescue team—just me, flailing in the deep end, hoping I don’t hit the bottom. It’s not that I think I’m unworthy of help; it’s just that life has taught me that most people are busy with their own stuff, and sometimes, you’re on your own.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sitting here rolling in dough, sipping margaritas on a tropical island (although, honestly, that sounds kind of nice right now). I’m just out here, living paycheck to paycheck, trying to make it work. My husband’s money is our money, and my money is his money—kind of like a financial marital spaghetti—twisted together but still a bit messy. Sometimes I have to remind myself to save, to put a little aside for a rainy day, but let’s be real: the rainy days often come with thunder, lightning, and bills that pile up faster than laundry.

Here’s where it gets real: I sometimes think about what would happen if I lost everything—my home, my savings, my ability to pay bills, even my dreams of going to nursing school. I want to be honest: I don’t have a giant safety net. I don’t have a wealthy family or a secret stash of cash tucked away. Honestly, I think if I lost it all today, I’d be lucky if I could find someone to lend me a dollar—or worse, I’d be out here trying to survive on the streets or in my car.

And here’s the kicker: I know there are people watching me—stalking my social media, checking my emails, following my every move. But I’m pretty sure that if I ever asked for help, they’d be nowhere to be found. Instead, I’d probably get whispered comments about how I was flaunting what I have, how I didn’t save enough, or how I should have been more responsible. You know the type.

Honestly, I’ve come to believe that most people want something in return. That’s just the world we live in. If you ask for help, most of the time, it’s not just a free gift; it’s a transaction. Maybe they want sex, control, or some other favor—things I’m not willing to give just to get by. And even if I tried to pay them back, there’s no guarantee that’s what they want either. It’s a scary, sad reality that trust is rare, and help is even rarer without strings attached.

Despite all this, I refuse to give up on my dreams. I want to go to nursing school. I want to better myself and be a provider, not just for me but for my family. But honestly, saving up enough money for classes is a challenge—long story short, my job makes it complicated, but I’m determined to figure it out. I believe in my future, even if the present feels like a battlefield.

So, what did I learn? Well, I learned that without my husband, I’m pretty much alone in this world when it comes to financial support. I learned that people watch but rarely reach out. And I learned that asking for help from strangers is like trying to catch smoke—you think you’re holding onto something real, but it slips right through your fingers.

But most importantly, I learned that I’m resilient. I might be bruised and battered, but I’m still here, still fighting. I’m sharing my story because maybe, just maybe, it will remind someone out there that they’re not alone either.

As I sat back and watched my GoFundMe campaign take shape—or should I say, take a nosedive—I realized something important: I’m not alone in feeling this way. There are countless others out there, just like me, who are navigating the murky waters of life, trying to keep their heads above water. We’re all just trying to figure it out, one day at a time, and it can be a lonely road.

If you’re reading this and feeling a little tug in your heart, I’ve created a GoFundMe to help me overcome debt and start nursing school. I’m not asking for a handout—I just need a little help to get back on my feet, to prove that kindness still exists, and to turn my dreams into reality.

Here’s the link: [Help Tina Overcome Debt and Start Nursing School](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tina-overcome-debt-and-start-nursing-school?attribution_id=sl:4a8cc0b5-57ed-47b6-85da-108f0d141e36&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwL2NHxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp69iTNRsphxOVmGox0tgw9n6HFGc5gXa7hcl4CxGFLn55pBy3E5du_sH6ckK_aem_epzOenK-MP7ZpKkADsfhnw).

Thank you for reading my story, for listening, and for understanding that behind every social media post is a real person with real struggles. Life’s a crazy ride, but I’m still here, still fighting, and still dreaming of a better tomorrow.

With love and a little bit of humor,  

Tina

So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re in the same boat, just know that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, navigating the highs and lows of life, with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of heart. And who knows? Maybe one day, when I’m a successful nurse helping others, I’ll look back on this experiment and laugh. Until then, I’ll keep experimenting, keep dreaming, and keep sharing my stories with all of you.

Thanks for sticking around, and remember: Life is too short to take too seriously. Keep laughing, keep dreaming, and keep being the amazing person you are!