After two years working as a solo broker, Renée Ouellette joined Team Broady in 2023. Her personal experience with divorce equips Renée to understand the hurdles associated with separation. She can be an invaluable source of strength and empathy, making her a compassionate real estate guide for anyone undergoing similar challenges. Read below for her inspiring story.

Divorce. Shame. Loneliness. These words can evoke a storm of emotions for anyone, but for me, they were the harsh realities I faced as a full-time single mom. When my husband and I split up, our children were just three and seven years old. It was a tumultuous time, marked by pain, loneliness, and the daunting task of rebuilding my life from the ground up.

Living with an alcoholic who was also emotionally abusive had cast a dark shadow over our marriage, leaving me with no choice but to walk away for the sake of my children and myself. It was undoubtedly the hardest decision I've ever made but was one that was necessary for our well-being. 

I felt trapped and embarrassed about my reality. I was overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders, but with two little ones depending on me, there was no room for self-pity. I assumed full custody of my two children, so I had no choice but to put my head down and do whatever it took to support us. 

It was a deeply humbling experience, to say the least. I was lost, hurt, and felt profoundly alone, despite being surrounded by a solid network of friends and family. My parents were my biggest source of support and yet, still, this was something I had to manage alone and most often in secret because I was so ashamed of how far I’d let things go. I felt guilty about my situation, and it therefore became impossible to talk about it with most acquaintances. The wounds, although invisible to most, were deep. But amidst the darkness, a flicker of hope emerged, beckoning me to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.

If I was ever going to be the kind of mother I aspired to be, I knew I had to start by healing myself. I sought guidance from a coach and spiritual mentor, and for five long years I worked on undoing much of the negative programming that had taken over my life. The emotional abuse I suffered caused me to second-guess myself at every turn, and at times I was even questioning my own sanity. My self-esteem had suffered from the constant gaslighting, but I knew deep down that I was going to overcome this. It was a gruelling process, filled with moments of both discomfort and self-revelation. There were parts of myself I didn't like, but with time, I learned to embrace them and even love them – scars and all. 

As I delved deeper into my healing journey, I began to see profound changes taking place within myself and in my relationship with my children. I felt joy coming back into my life as I regained control over my decisions and circumstances. The kids and I were no longer walking on eggshells, and we felt a newfound freedom in being able to be ourselves. They witnessed my resilience in the face of adversity, and my determination to move forward despite all the challenges and hardships we faced. They saw me emerge from rock bottom and put myself back together, stronger, and more committed than ever before. 

But the journey didn't end there. At the age of 45, I made the bold decision to go back to school and embark on a new career path to become a real estate broker. For 20 years I had had a front-row seat watching my mother build a successful real estate career and felt as though this was something that I too could excel at. As I navigated through the wreckage of my failed marriage, I found myself amid a career transition, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. 

It wasn't an easy road, but I refused to let fear or doubt hold me back. I had enough life experience in the rearview mirror to know that I could overcome whatever challenges lay ahead.

Today, three years into my new career, I am so thankful that I get to do what I love every day! When I look back on the turbulent journey that brought me to where I am now, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the courage that carried me through the darkest of days, for the resilience that allowed me to completely rebuild my life and, above all, for the strength that allowed me to show my children what it means to fall down and get back up again.

As a divorced, full-time single mom, I may have faced more than my fair share of challenges, but I refuse to let those challenges define me. I am a survivor! A warrior! And no matter what life may throw my way, I know that I will always find the courage to keep going, to keep growing, and to keep shining brightly, for myself and for my children.

If you or someone you know is going through a separation or divorce and doesn’t know where to turn, feel free to reach out to Renée as someone who can offer empathetic real estate advice and guidance. She can be reached at 514-613-2988 or by email at info@teambroady.ca.