BY MICHELLE MCLAUGHLIN
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Sometimes you lose your faith. I have more times than I can count.
Not just in some higher power, which happens too, but in people. In plans. In timing. In yourself. In life itself.
You hit a wall. Life doesn’t go the way you thought it would. The person you trusted lets you down. The job doesn’t work out. The relationship crumbles. You’re left wondering, What the hell am I even doing anymore?
And that feeling? It’s heavy. It doesn’t always come with drama. Sometimes it’s just a slow drift, a numbness, and you realize you are just going through the motions and off your mark. Like you’re still showing up, still saying the right things, but deep down, you’re disconnected.
I’ll tell you what I wish someone would tell me in those moments:
Losing your faith doesn’t mean you’re failing. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, broken, or too far gone. It means you’re human. It means something cracked wide open—and now, you get to choose what grows from that space.
So, what do you do when faith is gone?
You don’t fake it. You don’t slap on positivity and pretend. You let yourself be honest.
Say the hard thing: “I don’t know what I believe anymore.” Start there.
Then? You get simple. You do the basics. Make your bed. Wash your face. Step outside and look up at the stars. Drink water. Eat something real or better yet cook. Do the things that remind your body and brain: I’m still here. I still matter. It is easier to rebuild coming from this place.
You stop trying to control the big picture and just focus on one corner of it. You talk to someone who gets it, or who will listen and not try to fix you. You go for a walk, even if you must drag yourself out the door.
And when your mind spirals, stop it in its tracks. Say “nice try” but I’m not going there. Ask yourself. “What’s still good?” Not perfect. Not Instagram-worthy. Just good.
Your dog. The way coffee smells. A stranger holding the door. A belly laugh. A small act of kindness. That one playlist that never lets you down. Faith doesn’t always roar back into your life at once. Often, it comes back in bite sized pieces.
And that’s all it is…for now! Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about believing there’s still more to come especially when you can’t see it yet.
So, if you’re in the dark right now, one of my favorite things to say to myself is “Let it be.”
You’re not broken. You’re in-between. And the in-between is where transformation happens. I’ve been tested on this the past few years with divorce, monetary loss, a cancer scare, moving from one city to another where I didn’t know anyone, loss of friendships and relationships that I thought would be part of my “forever.” I promise you change is possible, and it took time, and trust and rebuilding my faith. It happened one next brave step at a time.
Remember this:
“I don’t have it all figured out. But I’m not done.”
And you’re not. So, keep going. Let life show you what’s still possible. It’s usually more than you dreamed of and better than any script you could write. I’d love to support you on this journey to rediscovering yourself and your faith. Email me and let’s find time to have a complimentary coaching session.
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, monetary 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
