By A.L. Childers | Truth-Teller. Author. Not Another Cinderella.
You ever look around and think,
“Dang, maybe I should’ve just married rich…”
Because this “self-made” struggle?
It ain’t for the faint of heart.
I wasn’t born with connections.
I didn’t inherit stock options.
I wasn’t handed seed money or a business coach.
I was born to a poor single mother with three children and not a dime to spare.
No trust fund.
No silver spoon.
No “start here” guide.
All I had was survival, shame, and the silent pressure to figure it out.
💡 But Here’s the Catch…
I could’ve married rich.
I could’ve smiled more, bit my tongue, and played the long game.
I could’ve traded my fire for finances and my dreams for diamonds.
But something inside me knew…
I wasn’t built to be someone’s trophy.
I was built to be a voice.
🔥 The Truth They Don’t Tell You
No one talks about what it’s really like to grow up poor—not in that “aww, sad movie” way, but in the real, gritty, ‘figure-it-out-or-fail’ kind of way.
We glamorize the hustle. We glorify the grind.
But when you’re poor, success isn’t inspirational—it’s survival.
You:
- Learn how to stretch $10 into three meals
- Wear hand-me-downs and still make them look good
- Pray the power stays on another week
- Watch others get ahead with ease—and try not to let the bitterness kill your spirit
💅 Why Marrying Rich Sounded So Good
Honestly? A husband with a hedge fund sounded better than trauma bonding with struggle.
- No late notices.
- No “Ramen again?” dinners.
- No explaining why your dreams have to wait until the kids are fed.
But here’s the twist…
Even if I had married rich, I would’ve still been me—loud, bold, creative, honest, messy.
And rich men don’t usually like that in a wife.
They want quiet admiration.
Not revolutionary energy.
🗣️ So Instead… I Built Myself
I wrote 50+ books.
I built a blog that tells the truth.
I healed my body from hypothyroidism.
I raised my children.
I spoke when no one else would.
And while I’m not sitting in a mansion (yet), I sleep just fine knowing:
I didn’t sell my voice to buy security.
💎 If You’re Reading This…
And you’re struggling, tired, or wondering if this grind is even worth it—just know:
You are not alone.
You are not behind.
And you are not broken.
This system wasn’t built for women like us.
But we’re building something better.
✍️ Why I Wrote This Blog
Because not all success stories start with six-figure savings.
Some of us had to fight to keep the lights on and still show up like we had it all together.
Because I’m tired of the “just hustle harder” advice from people who started life ten steps ahead.
Because some of us didn’t want a rich husband—we wanted to be rich in truth, power, and peace.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog reflects personal experiences and commentary. It is not a judgment of those who marry for security, nor a dismissal of the financial realities many women face. Everyone’s path is valid. This is simply my truth.
✍️ About the Author
A.L. Childers is a truth-telling Southern author, blogger, and survivor of systems built to break her. She’s the creator of TheHypothyroidismChick.com and author of over 50 powerful works, including:
- Silent Chains
- Roots to Health
- The Hidden Empire
- Breaking the Silence
Audrey’s mission? To expose the lies, empower the overlooked, and help women own their stories—without shame.
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