Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Dear Books, After 22 years of marriage, I'm not sure if this is what I want anymore. Yet at the same time, I'm afraid to be alone. I don't feel like I'm a priority for my spouse, which hurts me every time he chooses his own interests over me and our marriage. I can't even begin to imagine what unraveling this love we've built and planned for would entail. How do I know if I should stay or end it?
Worried About Burnout
Dear Books, I have a very high-pressure, stressful job that has potential to lead to burnout—for real. At the same time, I love it. But I'm trying to set myself up with healthy habits that help me cope and manage, so I can stay in this job without getting burned out.
Feeling Unfulfilled
Dear Books, My question is about Midlife transitions. To wake up one morning and realize you have everything your younger self dreamed you wanted, but still feel unfulfilled. To recognize the person you married and the job you are doing will not feed your soul for the rest of your life. And the guilt and shame that this brings. Because who could want more?
Politics Hurts My Heart
Dear Books, My pain point is about politics. It's causing so much division in our family and our country. It hurts my heart! My family used to be so close, and now my favorite sibling is so judgmental of anyone who doesn't agree with her, that it's hard to watch.
Struggling with Guilt
Dear Books, My pain point involves trying my best to help my terribly lonely widower father out of a financial crisis (he was conned by a woman he believed cared for him), then moving him closer to me in his last year, only to be the one to find him dead in his apartment 7 months later.
Missing a Human
Dear Books, I lost a human this week. Not just a human, not just any old human, but the very rare and true gift that is an unfailing human. In a world of distrust, mistrust, and failed promises, he was unfaltering.
Hanging on by a Thread
Dear Books, Last year, my partner had a major health crisis that disrupted everything about both our lives and took months to recover from. Then just as physical recovery was coming along, there was a small health setback (since recovered). Now there is a different life challenge causing emotional turmoil.
Finding the Missing Parts
Dear Books, Unexpectedly widowed at 51, all my plans have fallen away, and I now find myself with the opportunity to re-envision my life and reinvent myself. In just over 4 years my nest will be empty. What do I do then?
Feeling Flummoxed
Dear Books, I feel like I'm at a life crossroads. Is it time to change jobs or change careers? Should I move? I like my status quo but I'm also craving a change. I feel a little flummoxed. I think I'd love some inspiration more about how to make a big decision than specifically about what I should do.
Small Business Blues
Dear Books, My business had been growing and thriving from 2020 through 2023. Then it felt like it fell off a cliff in the beginning of 2024. Dead silence. The things I did before to bring in business stopped working. Things are starting to trickle in again now but I’m scared. How do I shift into a mindset of abundance, confident that I’ll figure things out and start growing again?
Two Separate Families
Dear Books, My twins were born 8 weeks premature, and they are doing great but are in the NICU and can't come home. My 12 year old isn't allowed in the NICU and cannot meet them until they come home. The challenge I'm having is feeling like I am obligated to two separate families: my 12 year old who has been an only child and needs attention and love, and the two babies in the NICU. When I'm with one over the other I feel guilty, and emotionally am having difficulty balancing the obligations and taking care of myself.