Loss has a way of stripping away who you thought you were. When my marriage ended after almost 25 years, I didn't just lose a relationship—I lost the version of myself that existed in that relationship. When I was let go from the ministry leadership position I'd held for a decade, I didn't just lose a job—I lost the professional identity that had organized my days and defined my mission.

Looking back, I can see that the worst points in my adult life came after losing roles I'd tied my identity to. The end of my marriage felt like I'd failed as a person. Being let go from a job felt like I'd failed as a person. Losing a role felt like losing my sense of self.

Ever catch yourself thinking, 'My life would be better if those people would just change'? It's easy to point fingers when life gets hard. But when you make your happiness depend on changing other people, you've just given them control over how you feel. Learn practical steps to focus on what you can actually influence during major life transitions instead of staying stuck in blame patterns.

Major life changes can make you feel like you've lost yourself completely. When your job ends or your marriage falls apart, it feels like your identity disappears too. But here's the truth: your circumstances and your identity are different things. Learn what actually stays constant when everything else shifts.

Ever notice how some people get furious when you question their beliefs? It's not really about the belief itself—it's about their identity being threatened. When someone's sense of self is built around being right, questioning feels like personal attack. Discover why this happens and how to engage curiously instead of defensively.