Many years ago, my life took a turn I never saw coming.
In a single moment, everything changed. I discovered that my marriage of 17.5 years was over. The person I had trusted the most had been unfaithful, and I was left in a fog of shock, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Infidelity wasn’t part of my plan. But there I was, living it.
Since then, I’ve learned that sadly, I’m not alone. So many people have gone through the painful and disorienting experience of infidelity. And even if this hasn’t happened to you personally (and I hope it hasn’t ❤️), chances are you know someone it has affected.
Maybe it wasn’t infidelity, but perhaps you’ve experienced what it’s like for life to take an unexpected turn, one that completely shifts everything you thought your future would be.
There’s a quote from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo that helped me ground myself during that time:
“Ultimately, no matter the wound we are given, we are faced with a never-ending choice: to become the wound or to heal.”
The Book of Awakening, Mark Nepo
That quote stayed with me because I knew I didn’t want to become the pain I was in. I wanted to heal.
But I didn’t know how.
The Healing Power of Journaling
One of the greatest gifts I gave myself during that season of my life was the simple act of journaling. I know it might sound too easy, or even cliché, but I mean it when I say: journaling changed my life.
It became a safe place for me to begin the healing process, one small, consistent moment at a time. I often refer to journaling as the biggest life hack, and I will keep saying that to anyone who will listen, because the benefits are real and powerful.
Here’s what journaling did for me:
- Helped me acknowledge and process my emotions on a daily basis
- Gave my thoughts somewhere to go instead of spinning endlessly in my mind
- Helped me tune into my true inner voice—not the voice of fear, shame, or anxiety
- Connected me to my intuition, and helped me know when it was truly speaking
- Slowly rebuilt my confidence and self-worth
- Taught me how to love myself
And none of this happened overnight. It was about consistency, choosing myself over and over again in small, daily ways.
How I Started: The Two Prompts That Changed My Life
When I started journaling, I was in a place of desperation. I didn’t have a lot of energy or clarity. So I gave myself one simple goal: journal for just 5 minutes a day. That was it. No pressure. Just presence.
Each day, I wrote about two things:
1. One specific thing I was grateful for in the past 24 hours
This shifted my perspective more than I can describe.
I learned that I could hold both grief and gratitude at the same time.
Some days, my gratitude was something small:
☕ A hot cup of coffee in my favorite mug
☀️ The light peeking through the clouds
💬 A friend who texted to check in
These small, beautiful moments were always there, I had just stopped noticing them. This simple prompt helped me find them again.
2. One specific thing I did well in the past 24 hours
This was huge for my mindset.
It’s easy to focus on all the things that I am not doing right and to be constantly buried in “shoulds” and self-judgment.
But this prompt forced me to look for my wins.
Sometimes it was as simple as:
- I made myself a nourishing breakfast.
- I went on a walk when I didn’t feel like it.
- I didn’t spiral after a hard conversation.
Little by little, this daily practice helped me rebuild a relationship with myself—one built on trust, encouragement, and compassion.
If You’re Healing, You’re Not Alone
If you—or someone you love—is navigating the deep pain of infidelity, I want you to know that healing is possible. I’m living proof.
And if you don’t know where to begin, maybe start where I did.
Grab a notebook. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Write what you’re grateful for. Write what you did well. Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take one step toward your healing.
I would be honored to walk alongside you on that path.
✨ Click here to connect with me and begin your journey.
🎧 You can also listen to my podcast episode on how to start healing after infidelity right here.
Now I do want to make a note here that infidelity is usually a symptom of a larger issue and by doing the work in the coming months and years after this initial shock I was able to process that and work through what was mine to work through. More details and specifics on that at a later date…
How I Support Women in this work
Coaching- what best describes you:
- I want coaching and I’ve experienced infidelity and am looking for a way forward
- I want coaching that is focused on making changes with nutrition
- I want coaching to improve my overall life
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The Love Your REAL Life Membership gives you ongoing support through monthly wellness themes, guided coaching, practical tools, wellness resources, live experiences, and a supportive community of women who are learning to create a life they truly love.
Each month, you’ll receive fresh inspiration, actionable resources, and simple practices that help you care for your mind, body, and spirit, without the pressure of trying to do everything perfectly.
✨ To start your FREE 7-day trial and learn more here
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Be well,
Faith
Board Certified Nurse coach
Holistic Coaching • Yoga teacher • Love Your REAL Life Membership
***Some of the links in my posts contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I pinky promise I will always give my honest opinion of any product and would never recommend something if I did not use and love it!!
D I S C L A I M E R Anything that I discuss about making any lifestyle changes is from my own experience and/or other clients personal experiences and may not be suited for you. It is strongly recommended that you consult with your health professional before making changes in your own life. By engaging in anything that I talk about, you agree that you do so at your own risk.