When You’ve Done Everything “Right”
You did everything you thought you were “supposed” to do.
You left behind a promising career to be a stay-at-home mom. A noble choice, they said.
You drove the carpools, baked the cupcakes, chaired the school auction.
You were the one who always had the costume, the uniform, the permission slip, and the soccer cleats ready to go.
You made the dinners, planned the vacations, kept the calendar, showed up at every school event.
You were the glue. And you looked good doing it.
People envied your life.
I know, because I did all of this too. And honestly, I felt lucky. Privileged, even. It was an honor to be there for my kids.
But at what cost?
I can’t tell you when things started to unravel.
There wasn’t one big moment—just a slow, quiet erosion.
A growing sense of invisibility. A vague ache of resentment.
And then one day I looked around and realized I didn’t recognize my life—or myself.
I felt like the hired help. Only without the paycheck.
When my marriage ended, I was lost. No career to return to. No roadmap. No clue how I’d manage as a single mom. And no one to blame but myself.
At the time, it felt like the end.
But divorce, it turns out, was the beginning of something I couldn’t have imagined then:
A return to myself.
A reclaiming. A rebuilding.
I wish I’d known then what I know now.
I wish I’d given myself permission to ask for help.
To stop trying to “handle it” on my own.
To admit I didn’t have all the answers.
If this feels like your story—if you’re in the thick of it, or even just sensing that something needs to shift—I want you to know: you’re not alone and you don’t have to do this alone.
You matter. Your life matters.
Love and Light,
Michele Heffron
If you’re going through a divorce or even just thinking about it, give yourself permission to invest in yourself. Let’s talk. Schedule a free consultation with me, and together we’ll create a path forward—one that honors your past, supports your present, and builds a beautiful future.
Keep Up With Michele
The Quiet Signs Your Marriage is Over (and what to do next)
I remember walking through my neighborhood one chilly afternoon, coffee in hand, sunglasses on even though the sun had dipped low. I was hoping no one would see the tears quietly slipping down my face. From the outside, I looked like a woman deep in thought. But inside, I was unraveling.
I wasn’t sure if my marriage was ending or if I was just falling apart.
I didn’t recognize myself anymore—not in the mirror, not in my marriage, and not in the quiet moments when I could no longer deny the aching truth: Something wasn’t right.
If you’re here reading this, you may be wondering the same thing. Is this a rough patch… or are you standing on the edge of something bigger?
Here are some signs it might be time to take an honest look at your marriage—and your future. Not to scare you. Not to push you into action. But to remind you: you’re not alone, and you have options.
The Communication Is Gone—or It’s Turned Toxic
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EPISODE 48
Raising a Glass to Change: Jamie Peha on Passion, Legacy & What’s Ahead
Jamie Peha is a trailblazer in the Washington wine industry, serving as the Executive Director of the Auction of Washington Wines—one of the nation’s top charitable wine events, which has raised over $68 million for vital causes. With over 30 years of leadership, she has shaped the industry’s growth, from launching Taste Washington to expanding national distribution for Washington wines. Beyond her work in nonprofit fundraising, Jamie has created groundbreaking wine and food experiences through her company, Peha Promotions. Now, as she steps away from the auction world, she’s embracing an exciting new chapter—not as retirement, but as "REWIREMENT"—where she’ll continue to make an impact in fresh and meaningful ways.
You won't want to miss this episode!
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