An Open Letter to the Woman Who Feels Worn Out
BY MICHELLE MCLAUGHLIN
Hey you.
Yes, you—the one quietly carrying the weight of the world. Trying to hold it all together while the economy shifts every day, your job may be unstable or unsatisfying and your peace feels like a distant memory. You wake up tired. You go to bed worried. And somewhere in between, you wonder, is this how life is supposed to feel?
Let me tell you something straight from the heart: You are not broken. It just feels like it.
These uncertain times?
They’re not here to break you.
They’re here to remake you.
Not to push you down—but to pull you inward.
To ask you, gently and firmly:
What truly matters? What no longer fits? And what are you finally ready to lay down?
I know this from the trenches. I’ve had to reinvent myself more times than I can count—especially in these last few years.
…I’ve cried until there were no tears left.
…I’ve screamed into pillows, prayed in silence, begged the universe for mercy.
…And yes, I’ve wanted to give up.
…I’ve whispered “I’m done I can’t go on” into the dark and meant every word.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
There is always a way forward despite Divorce. Financial loss. Illness. Grief. Life doesn’t always go how we planned. But somehow, in the middle of all this I found something sacred. I found gratitude.
When I stopped fighting the reality of where I was and started accepting it as a truth I needed to face something shifted. I began to see that what I had, even in the midst of uncertainty, was enough. That I was enough…and that’s when everything started to change.
So how do you live—and truly thrive—when life feels like it’s falling apart?
You come home to yourself.
You get still.
You get honest.
You let go of what isn’t yours to carry.
And you start building something new… from the inside out.
Because the answers you’re looking for? They’re already within you.
Where Do You Begin?
- Ground Yourself in the Now.
Uncertainty breeds anxiety because it lives in the future. But power? Power lives in the present. Pause. Breathe. Feel your feet on the ground.
- Reclaim Your Joy & Peace.
Ask yourself: What makes me feel alive? What small thing sparks joy and gives you peace, even for five minutes? Paint. Dance. Walk barefoot. Journal. Your joy is your lifeline. Reconnect with what nourishes your soul.
- Create a Simple Vision.
Forget the one-year plan. What’s one aligned step you can take today? Focus on progress, not perfection. A small, heart-led step is more powerful than a big, forced leap. Baby steps will get you there.
- Strengthen Your Tribe.
You don’t have to walk this path alone. Find your tribe—those who remind you who you are when you forget. Talk it out. Receive love and give it back in multitudes. You weren’t meant to carry the heaviness of the world in silence.
- Anchor to Purpose.
Who can you serve? What can you create? How can you rise? Let it shape your story.
Growing Through Uncertainty
You weren’t made just to get through the hard times—you were made to grow through them. To get clear on what matters and build strength from the inside out. Life’s uncertainty doesn’t need to be feared—it can be faced, baby step by baby step, with heart, honesty, and resilience. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just the courage to keep showing up.
In closing… the world may be uncertain, but you don’t have to be.
You’ve got this. I believe in you!
And woman—you’re just getting started.
About Michelle McLaughlin: Michelle is a guide, a wise woman, and an accomplished coach experienced in supporting women as they navigate remarkable, unexpected, and / or some of the most challenging transitions in life. She intimately understands the overwhelming weight of these moments that feel like they might break us. Yet, through her journey, she has discovered something extraordinary: transitions, while undeniably hard, are also powerful opportunities to rediscover who we are, what we’re capable of, and how to live a life of deeper meaning and connection.
McLaughlin has endured cancer, alcoholism, financial loss, divorce, depression, and grief and emerged stronger, bolder, and more capable to lead other women into new directions. A courage creator and pioneer, Michelle is the mentor any woman would love to have by their side — and every woman deserves. For questions and/or a complimentary 30-minute coaching session please email her at im4letitbe@gmail.com
