Been divorced for 2 years and the loneliness as 2 sides to it. I love being alone but i also love great company. These days I make sure I go out… just as you said solo dinners, movie night, picnic, country drives, camping or spa. It takes a lot of courage to leave what’s not working but even more not to rush into another relationship. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you, Victoria. These kinds of transitions can feel so personal and isolating, but I’m finding that the more we talk about them, the more we realize how many of us are in it together.
There’s something comforting in that — in sharing the experience and walking alongside other women who are navigating similar changes.
Laurie you’re like a real life rock star in my opinion. What you have done is courageous and inspiring beyond words. I’m flooded at the strength and grit that took. I love that you honored yourself and you did the hard work. It’s so much easier to stay in the familiar, but you have proven that if you stick it out, it’s worth it. It’s a privilege to know you 🤗💛
You made me all teary! Thank you, Nat. That is incredibly kind and generous - and means more than I can say. And right back at you! It is such an honor to be in the company of women who are listening to that voice inside that’s whispering, “There has to be more,” embracing change and charting new paths for themselves. XO
Wow! You just wrote my experience…and I’m sure a lot of women’s. The line that “no one was coming to build this life for me”, hit me between the eyes. I always say “no one is coming to rescue me.” It’s a sobering truth. Can keep you stuck inside. I left after 23 years once I realized what was happening and could no longer live with the manipulation and covert control. I’ve also felt a vague uneasiness about finding a new life somewhere. I love my home but wonder if there’s something different for me. Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, Pam. I am so glad that this resonated with you. It is a tough truth, and it certainly isn’t easy. But whether you decide to stay in your home or build a new one elsewhere, there is such satisfaction in knowing you did it. You made the choice. You. We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for! You’ve got this!💕
"No one was coming to build this life for me." That's exactly it. So you pushed yourself, not even just out of your comfort zone, but into a whole new life. Thank you for sharing this part of your story!
Thank you, my friend. You will never know how much those beautiful new-pajamas-for-a-new-life gift you gave me meant. Something I never would have thought to buy for myself, but they were somehow permission to enter this next phase with anticipation instead of fear. Forever grateful for you!
Laurie, this is such a beautiful piece. That line about arriving in Boston and not arriving at a new life, but at an empty one, really landed. Because we talk so much about the courage it takes to leave, to end, to move, to begin again, but not nearly enough about the quiet, daily courage required afterwards.
The walking, the looking up, the saying yes when part of you wants to retreat, the willingness to participate in your own life before it feels familiar. That is the real work of starting over, isn’t it? Not the dramatic before-and-after, but the tiny brave choices that slowly turn a strange life into your own. So much resonance here x
This means so much to me, Kiran, especially coming from you, knowing how much of this journey you understand firsthand, even from across an ocean. You captured it exactly. We give so much weight to the big, defining moments, but it’s those quiet, daily practices where the real change happens.
That steady choice to keep showing up. To put one foot in front of the other and, quite literally, walk ourselves into a new life.
Thank you for seeing that — and for putting it into words so beautifully. XO
Been divorced for 2 years and the loneliness as 2 sides to it. I love being alone but i also love great company. These days I make sure I go out… just as you said solo dinners, movie night, picnic, country drives, camping or spa. It takes a lot of courage to leave what’s not working but even more not to rush into another relationship. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you, Victoria. These kinds of transitions can feel so personal and isolating, but I’m finding that the more we talk about them, the more we realize how many of us are in it together.
There’s something comforting in that — in sharing the experience and walking alongside other women who are navigating similar changes.
So grateful it resonated with you.
Laurie you’re like a real life rock star in my opinion. What you have done is courageous and inspiring beyond words. I’m flooded at the strength and grit that took. I love that you honored yourself and you did the hard work. It’s so much easier to stay in the familiar, but you have proven that if you stick it out, it’s worth it. It’s a privilege to know you 🤗💛
You made me all teary! Thank you, Nat. That is incredibly kind and generous - and means more than I can say. And right back at you! It is such an honor to be in the company of women who are listening to that voice inside that’s whispering, “There has to be more,” embracing change and charting new paths for themselves. XO
Awww you’re welcome! You are an inspiration to so many people. I love it 🩷
Wow! You just wrote my experience…and I’m sure a lot of women’s. The line that “no one was coming to build this life for me”, hit me between the eyes. I always say “no one is coming to rescue me.” It’s a sobering truth. Can keep you stuck inside. I left after 23 years once I realized what was happening and could no longer live with the manipulation and covert control. I’ve also felt a vague uneasiness about finding a new life somewhere. I love my home but wonder if there’s something different for me. Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, Pam. I am so glad that this resonated with you. It is a tough truth, and it certainly isn’t easy. But whether you decide to stay in your home or build a new one elsewhere, there is such satisfaction in knowing you did it. You made the choice. You. We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for! You’ve got this!💕
I’ve realized I’m way stronger than I ever thought. 😊
"No one was coming to build this life for me." That's exactly it. So you pushed yourself, not even just out of your comfort zone, but into a whole new life. Thank you for sharing this part of your story!
What an incredible and inspiring journey. You should be SO PROUD. 💕
Awww…thank you, Debbie! XO
WOW! I love how you shared your story, your aha moments, and how you're thriving. So inspiring!
Thank you, Vanessa!
Beautiful 🤍
Thank you, Patricia. That means the world!
Showing up for the life you want! So proud of your courage, all that you’ve collected and curated for yourself ❤️
Thank you, sweet friend. It’s certainly been a journey - with girlfriends like you propping me up along the way!
Love this my sweet, brave friend!!
Thank you, my friend. You will never know how much those beautiful new-pajamas-for-a-new-life gift you gave me meant. Something I never would have thought to buy for myself, but they were somehow permission to enter this next phase with anticipation instead of fear. Forever grateful for you!
Laurie, this is such a beautiful piece. That line about arriving in Boston and not arriving at a new life, but at an empty one, really landed. Because we talk so much about the courage it takes to leave, to end, to move, to begin again, but not nearly enough about the quiet, daily courage required afterwards.
The walking, the looking up, the saying yes when part of you wants to retreat, the willingness to participate in your own life before it feels familiar. That is the real work of starting over, isn’t it? Not the dramatic before-and-after, but the tiny brave choices that slowly turn a strange life into your own. So much resonance here x
This means so much to me, Kiran, especially coming from you, knowing how much of this journey you understand firsthand, even from across an ocean. You captured it exactly. We give so much weight to the big, defining moments, but it’s those quiet, daily practices where the real change happens.
That steady choice to keep showing up. To put one foot in front of the other and, quite literally, walk ourselves into a new life.
Thank you for seeing that — and for putting it into words so beautifully. XO
Thank you, Amanda. I really appreciate this. XO