Have you ever felt distraught and lost because you don’t know who you are anymore?

These moments may arise when you’re entering a new life stage where your attention is no longer focused outside of yourself, for example retirement, children becoming more independent, children leaving home, a relationship break up, or no longer being needed in a carer’s role for ageing parents. 

So, what can you do about it?

Do you find yourself adapting to life and doing more, pushing yourself harder, working longer, putting up with physical discomfort and illness, and tolerating unhealthy social, working, and living arrangements? You might find yourself thinking – if I just push through this part, things will get better’. But often, instead of stopping ‘after this part’, you push on until you round the next bend of experiences…and the next…and the next.

Is this something you can relate to? Why do we do this to ourselves?