When Staying Means Leaving Ourselves Behind
There’s a moment in life that many of us hope we’ll never face – a moment where we realise that staying, just as things are, would mean abandoning something deep and essential within ourselves.
For me, that moment came when I had to make the incredibly painful decision to leave a marriage I’d once vowed never to walk away from. As a child, I witnessed my parents’ divorce and swore I’d never do the same. I never wanted to put anyone through that kind of pain.
So when I found myself at a crossroads years later, realising that to stay would mean betraying my own needs and truth, I carried a heavy weight of guilt. For a long time, I questioned myself. But with time, space, and healing, I came to see it was the right decision – not just for me, but for both of us.
Because here’s the truth: when we deny our own needs, when we silence our inner knowing to maintain the status quo, we don’t just hurt ourselves. We also limit the other person’s growth, their experience, and their opportunity for something more aligned and real.
This experience taught me the power of radical honesty – the kind that starts with ourselves. And the importance of choosing to honour our own needs, not from a place of selfishness, but from a place of deep integrity and care.
If you’re standing at your own crossroads, I hope this story offers something meaningful. You’re not alone, and your truth matters 💚
I recently had the chance to talk about this experience with the wonderful Maria Newman on her podcast, Rising From The Rubble. I never thought this was something I would share as it has always felt like a very personal story, but when Maria approached me, I realised it might be a story others could relate to.
🎧 You can listen to our conversation:
💻 Or watch on YouTube:
📗 You can also read more about my story in my book, Take a Walk on the W·I·L·D® Side.
🎤 If you’d like to explore inviting me to speak at your event, podcast, or group, I’d love to connect – feel free to get in touch.
