The Most Important Step in My Journey

From Arguing to Happily-Ever-After
Becky, Laura Doyle Certified Coach

At age 37, I met the man I would marry. We dated briefly before he proposed, and I figured I had nothing to lose. I was hoping for happily-ever-after and preparing for the worst at the same time.

My happily-ever-after never arrived, but the worst did. My insecurities and fears took control. Early on, I felt lost, hurt, and alone. We argued all the time and immediately grew painfully apart. I was regretting marriage altogether.

Since I did not trust him, I controlled everything: chores, bills, finances, cooking, and practically all the decisions in our household. I felt overworked, taken for granted, and depleted.

I lost myself completely.

Occasional good moments gave me glimpses of hope. Then, in record time, we would be back to arguments and recurring threats of divorce.

I felt stuck. Even though it appeared that we didn’t stand a chance, I did not want to end my marriage until I knew I had tried everything possible!

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I Am So Resentful

How I Traded in My Resentment for True Partnership
Stefanie, Laura Doyle Relationship Coach

I remember when I learned that the word “resentment” comes from the French word “sentir,” meaning to feel. As in feeling something over and over.

No wonder my opportunities for chronic resentment were on automatic replay in my head.

And I lost no opportunity of telling my husband about them. I was overwhelmed and unsupported, doing everything myself.

My deepest fear had come to fruition: I was alone. Or at least it felt that way.

My definition of marriage had been clear (to me, at least). It would be a partnership, everything split 50/50: the bills, housework, childcare. But for some reason, this was not happening.

How could this be? When I met Marco, I didn’t think people like him existed. He was so happy. He said that the word “stress” was not in his vocabulary and that he was here to simplify my life.

But it wasn’t so simple. Who would want a peaceful romance when I could opt for drama? I seemed addicted to it, with zero experience having a peaceful relationship.

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My Relationship Is Hopeless

How to Make Marriage Sexy Again
Valerie, Laura Doyle Certified Coach

“Thank you for being a sexy, hot mama,” my husband says, then he kisses me goodbye and leaves for work.

Yum! I lay in my cozy bed feeling thankful for a hardworking and loving husband. Extra thankful, in fact, because of how dramatically our entire lives have changed.

My story actually begins with an exhausted and unfulfilled “heroine”: me, a.k.a. “Superwoman,” who was actually more like Mary Mary Quite Contrary.

Bitter. Mad. Lonely. Sad.

Feeling unloved, uncherished, undesired, and unlovely.

As an extrovert, I have a perversely large desire to be seen, heard, appreciated, applauded, and extravagantly loved. (Maybe I can blame my grandma, who knows practically everyone and can talk to a tree.)

Whatever the cause, it feels like a curse at times. And whatever the personality, I know I’m not alone in having a profound need to be seen, heard, appreciated, and loved.

Read more…My Relationship Is Hopeless

I Am Exhausted

How I Went from Doing It All to Having It All
Marissa, Laura Doyle Certified Coach

In my house, I did it all.

If a diaper needed to be changed, I changed it. If a last-minute doctor visit was needed, I rearranged my schedule. If the house was dirty, I cleaned it.

I was exhausted from handling the majority of the childcare and household responsibilities.

I was also suffering from postpartum depression following the birth of my daughter. I’m certain that continuing to do so many things I really didn’t want to be doing contributed to my depression.

With depression, exhaustion and just plain misery oozing out of me, my husband became the enemy in my eyes.

It was ugly. He did very little to help and when he did, he did it wrong. I was so angry about having to do everything to keep up the house and care for our daughter.

I was clearly married to a misogynist and knew it was his mother’s fault for babying him and doing everything for him.

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My Husband Irritates Me

How I Went from Annoyed to Adored
Sara, Laura Doyle Certified Coach

I had a hard time talking with my husband from the beginning.

Sitting in the lobby of some hotel, I would feel stifled at his choice of topics for conversation. I felt pressured to read up before we met so that I would look at least somewhat intelligent.

I’d also be annoyed that when the taxi driver didn’t give him change, he would just let it go.

However, I saw that he was sensitive, gentle, good-looking, and very smart.

We got married about five months after we met, and I was a nervous wreck. I wasn’t sure if I liked or respected him that much, but I was afraid that no one else out there
would want me.

As a newlywed, my husband was always thinking of ways to delight me, like bringing home an ice cream cone for us to share. Still, I would be annoyed. Didn’t he know I was trying to diet?!

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