There's a question that haunts midlife women.
It doesn't come with drama or fireworks.
It comes quietly. In the middle of an ordinary Tuesday.
When you're standing in your kitchen, looking at the life you built, and thinking:
"Is this all there is?"
Not with anger. Not with resentment.
Just... quiet disappointment.
You worked so hard to get here.
You did everything you were supposed to do.
You built the life. Raised the kids. Made the marriage work—or at least made it look like it was working.
And now you're standing in the middle of it all, and it feels... brittle.
Like if you press too hard on any part of it, the whole thing might crack.
The marriage that used to feel solid now feels fragile.
The connection that used to come easily now feels forced.
The intimacy that used to be natural now feels like work—work you're too tired to do.
And you look at him—this man you've built a whole life with—and you think:
"We're surviving. But we're not thriving."
Here's what I want you to know:
That grief is real. And it's valid.
But it's not a life sentence.
You don't have to burn it all down. But you also don't have to keep living in the brittleness.
There's a way to experience your marriage differently—starting with how you show up in it.
Even if you're the only one doing the work.
This is Episode 7 of the series: "Marriage Conversations Midlife Besties Are Having (But Afraid to Say Out Loud)."
I'm Jennifer Roskamp, and this is The Intentional Midlife Mom podcast.
Let's dive in.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Free guide: He Doesn't Get It (Yet): How to Help Him See What You're Carrying—Without Starting Another Fight - GET IT HERE
- Check out all the marriage resources at: https://www.jenniferroskamp.com/midlife-marriages-maps
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