243 - You’re More Than Your Relationship Status: Overcoming the Fear of Being Alone | Life Happens
Tue Feb 03 2026
Hard truth: Staying because it’s comfortable might be the loneliest choice you make. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop ignoring the red flags and choose to end a toxic or misaligned relationship.
In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re unpacking the pressure around relationships, singleness, and breakups — and what it really means to choose yourself. From recognizing when a relationship has run its course to building a strong sense of self, this conversation will empower you to create healthier relationships with yourself and others.
💬 Barb opens up about ending a 33-year marriage and how she stepped into a new chapter with confidence, clarity, and freedom.
💬 Michelle shares her journey of being alone and finding peace in choosing singleness over settling for less.
✨ What We Talk AboutSelf-Identity
Releasing the belief that our worth or purpose is defined by our relationship status.
Being Okay With Being Alone
Singleness isn’t failure — it can be a powerful season of growth, healing, and self-love.
Listening to Yourself
Learning to trust your feelings and needs so you can take the next right step.
Choosing Differently
Sometimes the uncomfortable path is the one that leads to joy, peace, and real alignment.
Reminder: You are more than your relationship status. Your identity, purpose, and fulfillment are defined by you — not by timelines, labels, or societal expectations.
📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros
Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is a 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace — one gentle reflection at a time.
✨ Begin the year with intention and courage.
👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg
🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt
💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one.
📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕
🎙️ Host by:
https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️
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Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/
🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday
✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg
🔖 Hashtags:
#Relationships #EndedRelationships #Breakups #ToxicRelationships
Our Sponsors:
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Hard truth: Staying because it’s comfortable might be the loneliest choice you make. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop ignoring the red flags and choose to end a toxic or misaligned relationship. In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re unpacking the pressure around relationships, singleness, and breakups — and what it really means to choose yourself. From recognizing when a relationship has run its course to building a strong sense of self, this conversation will empower you to create healthier relationships with yourself and others. 💬 Barb opens up about ending a 33-year marriage and how she stepped into a new chapter with confidence, clarity, and freedom. 💬 Michelle shares her journey of being alone and finding peace in choosing singleness over settling for less. ✨ What We Talk AboutSelf-Identity Releasing the belief that our worth or purpose is defined by our relationship status. Being Okay With Being Alone Singleness isn’t failure — it can be a powerful season of growth, healing, and self-love. Listening to Yourself Learning to trust your feelings and needs so you can take the next right step. Choosing Differently Sometimes the uncomfortable path is the one that leads to joy, peace, and real alignment. Reminder: You are more than your relationship status. Your identity, purpose, and fulfillment are defined by you — not by timelines, labels, or societal expectations. 📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is a 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace — one gentle reflection at a time. ✨ Begin the year with intention and courage. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 🎧 Listen to the audiobook and step into a year that truly loves you back: https://amzn.to/459zSdt 💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one. 📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕 🎙️ Host by: https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/ Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday ✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 🔖 Hashtags: #Relationships #EndedRelationships #Breakups #ToxicRelationships Our Sponsors: * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.spreaker.com/our-platform Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy