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Have you ever wondered what life could look like three years after making one of the most difficult decisions of your life? In this deeply personal anniversary episode, I reflect on my three-year divorce milestone and the remarkable transformation that's occurred since choosing to end my 26-year marriage after experiencing betrayal.

The journey hasn't been easy. That first year was brutal—selling our home, moving, and watching my children struggle as they rated their healing at near-zero on a ten-point scale. But sitting here today, those same children confidently declare they're at a perfect ten. They're thriving, no longer fantasizing about their parents reuniting, but accepting and embracing our new reality with surprising contentment.

What's changed for me personally is even more profound. The thoughts of my ex-husband and his new wife that once consumed my mental space have faded into neutral territory. I'm dating again—something unimaginable just a year ago—and can even envision remarriage with the right person (though they'd need to bring something truly special to the table). Most importantly, I've reclaimed my sense of self. After 26 years of not choosing me, I finally did—and that choice has transformed everything.

Whether you're just beginning to process betrayal, considering divorce, or somewhere in the middle of your healing journey, this episode offers honest reflection and genuine hope. Choosing yourself might be terrifying, but the peace waiting on the other side is worth every uncomfortable step. If you're ready to move from victim to hero in your own story, I'd be honored to help guide you there. Let's create your happily even after.

Year 2 episode:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happily-even-after-with-life-coach-jen/id1566971244?i=1000656124266

1st year of divorce episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happily-even-after-with-life-coach-jen/id1566971244?i=1000613968858

Please follow me on instagram and facebook @happilyevenaftercoach and if you want to see what coaching is all about I offer a free 45 min. clarity call via zoom.

Email me: hello@lifecoachjen.com for any comments or questions.

Thanks for listening, please like and review as well as share with your family and friends.

My website is www.lifecoachjen.com

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Have you ever prided yourself on being the one who "keeps the peace" in your relationships, only to realize later you might be sacrificing your own well-being in the process? That's exactly what happened to me after years of what I thought was noble peacekeeping in my marriage.

In this deeply personal exploration, I unpack the critical difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking—a distinction that transformed my understanding of healthy relationships after betrayal. Peacekeepers avoid conflict at all costs, minimize problems, and often sacrifice their own needs for artificial harmony. Meanwhile, peacemakers have the courage to engage with difficult issues while maintaining compassion and respect.

Through my own journey recovering from betrayal, I discovered that my so-called peacekeeping was actually preventing genuine healing and connection. I share the telltale signs you might be a peacekeeper, including feeling responsible for managing everyone else's emotions, walking on eggshells to avoid triggering others, and suffering in silence rather than addressing problems directly.

Most importantly, I offer practical guidance for shifting from peacekeeping to peacemaking: identifying your triggers, setting healthy boundaries, practicing difficult conversations, and creating safe spaces where vulnerability is welcomed rather than punished. This transformation isn't about becoming confrontational—it's about finding the courage to address issues with love and integrity rather than sweeping them under the rug.

Whether you're healing from betrayal or simply want more authentic connections in your life, understanding this distinction could be the key that unlocks more honest, fulfilling relationships. Listen now to discover how you can honor your truth while still cultivating genuine peace in your relationships.

Please follow me on instagram and facebook @happilyevenaftercoach and if you want to see what coaching is all about I offer a free 45 min. clarity call via zoom.

Email me: hello@lifecoachjen.com for any comments or questions.

Thanks for listening, please like and review as well as share with your family and friends.

My website is www.lifecoachjen.com

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Betrayal tears through more than just marriages—it fractures entire family systems. When divorce follows betrayal, many people discover they're not just losing a spouse but also relationships with in-laws they once considered family. This emotional double-loss often goes unacknowledged but carries its own profound grief.

Drawing from personal experience following my 26-year marriage, I explore the complicated terrain of navigating relationships with former in-laws after betrayal. The reality is that everyone affected—your parents who considered your ex a child, siblings who viewed them as family, and in-laws caught between loyalty to their child and caring for you—experiences their own form of grief and betrayal. These competing emotions create a complex web that requires thoughtful navigation.

The most healing approach starts with self-compassion and boundary-setting. You must protect your emotional well-being first, which might mean temporary or permanent distance from certain relationships. For my own healing, I needed space from my former mother-in-law who seemed to normalize the betrayal rather than acknowledge the pain it caused. This decision wasn't about punishment but self-protection during a vulnerable time. As your healing progresses, you might find, as I did, that some relationships can resume in modified form.

Children add another layer of complexity. They deserve relationships with extended family who love them, but not at the cost of their emotional safety. Open communication about expectations—like not speaking negatively about either parent—creates necessary guardrails. Remember that family gatherings are experiments; you can always adjust your approach based on how they affect you. Your healing journey deserves protection, even when others don't understand your boundaries. Subscribe for more guidance on recovering from betrayal and creating your happily even after.

Please follow me on instagram and facebook @happilyevenaftercoach and if you want to see what coaching is all about I offer a free 45 min. clarity call via zoom.

Email me: hello@lifecoachjen.com for any comments or questions.

Thanks for listening, please like and review as well as share with your family and friends.

My website is www.lifecoachjen.com