When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan… Now What?

You had a vision.

A timeline.

A plan that made sense.

Maybe it was a career path, a relationship, your skin healing faster, your bank account growing steadier — or just the general hope that by now, things would look a little different.

But here you are.

Maybe feeling stuck.

Maybe a bit lost.

Maybe wondering if you took a wrong turn — or worse, if you’re being punished for something.

I see you. I’ve been you. And I want to gently remind you: just because it’s not going to plan… doesn’t mean it’s not going to work out.

📍 Life Has Other Plans (Even If You Don’t Approve)

Let me tell you something I’ve learned (the hard way): detours are part of the path.

Not the punishment.

Not the “test.”

Just… part of the journey.

I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned everything — my health, my career, my ability to parent, partner, or even just cope. Moments where I felt like I was doing all the right things, but the universe kept serving up delays, closed doors, or curveballs so wild I had to laugh or cry (sometimes both in the same hour).

Whether it was skin flare-ups during healing, financial setbacks while building my business, or moments of feeling painfully alone in a room full of people — I had to learn how to keep showing up without knowing exactly where it was all going.

And that’s the thing most of us were never taught: how to stay present in the unknown.

✨ When Things Fall Apart… You Don’t Have To

You don’t need to have it all figured out to take care of yourself.

You don’t need a perfect plan to make progress.

And you certainly don’t need to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause, check in with your nervous system, and ask:

“What do I need right now — not to fix it all — but just to feel safe and grounded in this moment?”

That might mean a breathwork reset instead of a to-do list.

It might mean walking barefoot on the grass instead of walking into another Zoom meeting.

It might mean crying in the car for a few minutes before you collect yourself and try again tomorrow.

It’s not weakness. It’s wisdom.

🧠 The Brain Hates Uncertainty — But That Doesn’t Mean You’re Unsafe

Your mind is wired for survival, not uncertainty. It would rather have a predictable outcome (even if it’s not ideal) than float in limbo.

So when life doesn’t go to plan, your brain kicks up fear stories like:

• “I’ve stuffed it up.”

• “I should be further along.”

• “Everyone else has it together but me.”

But here’s the truth: most people are winging it more than you realise.

You are not behind.

You are not broken.

And no, your value doesn’t vanish just because the timeline shifted.

🌿 What You Can Do (Even in Chaos)

So if your life feels off-track, here’s what I recommend as a coach, a human, and someone who has rebuilt more than once:

1. Come Back to Your Body

Stress lives in the body. When the mind is spiralling, do something to bring yourself back into physical presence:

• 3 deep belly breaths

• A short walk or light stretch

• A warm drink without your phone nearby

2. Refocus on What You Can Control

You can’t control timing. You can’t force people to respond the way you want. But you can:

• Nourish your body with real food

• Keep your environment tidy

• Choose one small thing each day that feels aligned

3. Rewrite the Story

What if this “delay” is actually a redirection?

What if this is preparation, not punishment?

Grab a pen and try this prompt:

“This didn’t go how I imagined, but maybe it’s creating space for _____.”

It might surprise you what comes out.

💬 A Personal Note From Me

I’m not writing this from a mountain peak of perfect healing or sorted finances.

I’m writing this as someone who still has to remind herself daily:

“You’re doing better than you think. Keep going.”

I’ve had clients come to me at their lowest — stuck in cycles of self-sabotage, shame, or overwhelm. And the moment they gave themselves permission to let go of how it was supposed to be, they started to heal. To reset. To take action again — even small steps.

That’s what I offer in my programs: not just meal plans or exercise guides (though yes, you’ll get those).

But space to be human, tools to rebuild from where you are, and a community that reminds you you’re not alone in it.

📆 This Week’s Focus in My Community

If this blog speaks to you, we’re diving deeper into this topic across all my groups:

• 💬 Mindful Monday: How to stay grounded when nothing makes sense

• 🧠 Wellness Wednesday: Tools to regulate your nervous system

• 🥦 Tummy Tuesday: What to eat when you’re emotionally fried

• 💡 Thriving Thursday: Optimism that isn’t fake or fluffy

• 💭 Soulful Saturday: Journal prompts for redirection and purpose

You’re not too late.

You’re not failing.

You’re just in the middle.

And the middle is where most of the magic happens — it’s where you become who you’re meant to be.

💌 Ready for Support?

If you’re tired of trying to do it all alone, I’d love to work with you.

👉 Book a discovery call

👉 Join a program

👉 Or come say hi in the LiveThrive365 group — you’re welcome anytime.

Let’s stop asking “Why me?”

And start asking “What now?”

Because even if life’s not going to plan…

You’re still allowed to thrive.

Marlene x

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