“What’s wrong with me?” “Why can’t I figure this out?” “Others seem to be doing fine. Why is this so hard for me?”
These questions are more common than we think—but most people don’t say them out loud. Especially not the women who’ve spent years holding everything together, doing what was expected, and showing up for everyone else first.
And yet, underneath the surface, so many are quietly wondering:
How did I get here? How do I get out? What needs to shift for me to feel hopeful again?
The Habit of Staying Stuck
This isn’t about dismissing deep depression or anxiety—or the legitimate, complex struggles we all face. It’s about the freeze that happens when we’re overwhelmed, unsure, or running on empty. That freeze becomes a kind of habit. And over time, that habit becomes a way of life.
Our ability to move forward is shaped by a lot: Our upbringing. The stories we were told. Our capacity for discomfort. Our support systems. Our self-trust.
Even when we want change—when we take a few brave steps in a new direction—there’s often an internal “set point” that pulls us back into old ways of being. It whispers:
You don’t really know what you’re doing. You’ll probably fail anyway. It’s safer to stay where you are.
So we stop. We wait. We go back to familiar patterns. We stay stuck.
But What If It’s Not Too Late?
Midlife has a way of bringing everything to the surface.
You may have done all the “right” things—built a family, a career, a life that looks good from the outside—and yet, something feels unsettled. You’re asking deeper questions now. You feel the urgency of time, maybe even the ache of regret creeping in.
And you are not alone.
In fact, people at the end of life often speak openly about what they wish they had done differently.
Palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware captured the top five regrets of the dying, and they hold powerful lessons for the living—especially those of us in transition, wondering what to do with the rest of our lives.
The 5 Regrets of the Dying:
“I wish I had lived a life true to myself, not the one others expected of me.” → So many spend their lives meeting others’ expectations and never pause to ask what they actually want.
“I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.” → Especially true for women who’ve juggled careers, caregiving, and invisible labor. Where is your rest?
“I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.” → Silencing your truth—out of fear, or to avoid conflict—leaves emotional scars.
“I wish I had stayed in touch with friends.” → The pace of life often costs us our connections. But connection is where meaning lives.
“I wish I had let myself be happier.” → Waiting for the right time, or permission, or perfection… and missing joy in the process.
What Would It Mean to Live With Fewer Regrets?
This isn’t about throwing everything away or making dramatic changes overnight. It’s about becoming conscious—of the choices you’re making and the ones you’re avoiding.
It’s about noticing where you’re stuck… and gently choosing not to stay there.
It’s about allowing space to ask:
What am I postponing that actually matters to me?
What would shift if I gave myself permission to try?
If I were to fast-forward 5, 10 or 20 years… what might I regret not doing now?
There Is a Way Forward (Even If It’s Small)
What keeps most people from moving forward isn’t laziness or lack of potential—it’s fear, inconsistency, and trying to do it alone.
That’s why I offer something called a Micro Mapping Session—a short but powerful one-on-one session designed to help you untangle one area of stuckness and start identifying the first right step. It’s not about fixing everything—it’s about moving something. If this is something that interests you then drop me a line.
You don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
And if your body has been carrying too much stress for too long, my upcoming workshop may help:
🧘♀️ Somatic Practices for Overwhelm 📅 June 26, 2025 ( Time TBD) We’ll explore body-based tools to calm the mind, reconnect with yourself, and move through overwhelm with more ease and compassion. Watch for the sign-up and ZOOM link.
Before More Time Passes…
There’s still time to shift direction. Still time to make different choices. Still time to choose a life that feels more like you.
This isn’t about chasing happiness or fixing yourself. It’s about remembering that you’re allowed to live with intention, courage, and joy—now, not someday.
And if something in you knows it’s time… I’d love to walk beside you as you figure out the next step.
Send me a message at marianne@mariannepreston.com
With warmth and encouragement, Marianne
Live your life with fewer regrets.
Staying Connected
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