Pages of Truth

 Not all grief comes from losing a person. Sometimes we grieve a life we thought we would have. A relationship we believed would last. A career that once gave us purpose. A home or country where we created memories. The years when our children needed us every day. A familiar version of ourselves we can no longer return to. Life transitions often involve new possibilities, but they also ask us to leave something behind. And even when we choose the change, there can still be grief attached to it. You Can Know It’s Time and Still Feel Sad You can know that leaving a relationship is the right decision and still miss the life you shared. You can feel proud of your children for becoming independent and still ache for the days when they needed you close. You can be excited about moving to a new country and still long for the people, routines, and places you left behind. You can know that a career no longer fulfills you and still grieve the identity, stability, and confidence it once gave ...

Sometimes change begins long before you know what the change is. Nothing may look obviously wrong from the outside. You may have a job, a home, relationships, responsibilities, and a routine that works. Yet somewhere inside, a quiet voice keeps saying: This no longer feels right for me. You may feel restless, disconnected, or unusually tired. Things that once motivated you no longer do. You know you cannot continue exactly as you are, but when you ask yourself what you want instead, the answer doesn’t come. That uncertainty can make you question yourself. But not knowing what comes next doesn’t mean you’re lost. It may mean you’re finally becoming aware that you have outgrown something. The Pressure to Have an Answer We often believe that recognizing a problem should come with a solution. If you’re unhappy in your career, you should know what career you want instead. If a relationship or role no longer fits, you should have a clear plan for your next chapter. If you want more from life...

There is something about the words “starting over” that can make us feel as though everything we've done before somehow doesn't count. Especially in midlife. Maybe you're considering a career change after decades in the same field. Perhaps a relationship has ended and you're wondering what life looks like on your own. Your children have grown and suddenly the role that occupied so much of your life has changed. Maybe you've moved to a new country, left behind a familiar community, or simply reached a point where you know: I don't want the next ten years to look exactly like the last ten. And then fear enters the conversation. Am I too old to begin again? What if I make the wrong decision? Do I really have the energy to rebuild? I understand those questions more than you might think. I've Started Over More Than Once I've lived through several chapters of beginning again. I left Uruguay as a teenager and built a life in Canada. I later lived in the United...

 For years, you may have known exactly who you were. A mother. A wife or partner. A professional. A caregiver. The person everyone could depend on. Your days were filled with responsibilities, schedules, people who needed you, and things that had to get done. And then life changes. The children grow up. A relationship ends. You leave a career you've had for years. You move to another country. You retire, change direction, or simply realize that the person you've been for the last twenty years isn't quite the person you are today. And suddenly a surprisingly difficult question appears: Who am I now? When a Role Becomes Part of Your Identity There is nothing wrong with finding meaning in the roles we play. Motherhood, relationships, careers, family and service to others can become some of the most meaningful parts of our lives. But sometimes we become so busy fulfilling those roles that we stop asking ourselves what we want. Then, when one of those roles changes, it can feel...

  The Voice of Resistance: Why Part of You Wants Change and Another Part Is Afraid of It Have you ever wanted something to change in your life—and then found yourself doing everything possible to avoid actually changing it? You tell yourself you want a new career, but you never take the first step. You know a chapter of your life is ending, but you keep holding tightly to what is familiar. You dream about starting something new, moving somewhere different, rebuilding your life after a separation, or finally doing something for yourself—but the moment you consider taking action, another voice appears. What if I make the wrong decision? What if I fail? What if I'm not ready? What if I regret it? Maybe I should just wait. One part of you wants change. Another part of you wants everything to remain exactly as it is. That inner conflict can be frustrating, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're indecisive or that you don't want change badly enough. You may simply be experien...

  You’re Not Lost — You’re Between Who You Were and Who You’re Becoming “I don’t know who I am anymore.” I wonder how many women have quietly said those words to themselves. Maybe you haven't said them out loud. Maybe instead you've said: I don't know what I want anymore. I feel stuck. I should be happy, but something is missing. I don't know what I'm supposed to do next. I just don't feel like myself. We often describe these feelings as being lost . But what if you're not lost? What if you're simply standing between who you were and who you're becoming? The In-Between Can Be an Uncomfortable Place There are chapters in life when our identity feels very clear. We know our roles. We know our responsibilities. We know where we're going—or at least we think we do. And then something changes. Your children grow up and begin building lives of their own. A marriage or relationship ends. A career that once gave you purpose no longer fulfills you. You mo...