You’ve tried growing – at work, in relationships, in life. You’ve done the therapy, read the books, and practiced the habits. Yet you feel like you aren’t making meaningful progress.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t a failure of attitude; it’s a fault in approach. The “old ways” simply don’t work anymore. And that’s what this article is here to address.

What do you do when “who you are” is no longer providing meaning?

• When your career, to which you've dedicated your life, starts to feel draining…

• Your relationships, which are part of who you are, are no longer fulfilling…

• Your hobbies, which once brought you so much joy, no longer do.

Where are you supposed to turn when the very things that brought your life meaning and purpose now only feel draining and dull?

If you’re reading this, chances are something feels ‘off’ in your life. The world you once understood no longer makes sense, and something deep inside you knows it. You feel a growing disconnect between what you value and what you see happening around you.

You check your phone. Another crisis. Another outrage. Another endless scroll.

Ever wonder why bad news spreads so quickly—and why you can't look away?

This isn't a coincidence.

Media companies profit from your attention—and nothing captures attention better than stress.

PTSD doesn’t have to define you — recovery is possible.

If you’ve ever been exposed to trauma, you may recognize signs of post-traumatic stress—flashbacks, mood swings, or chronic sleep disturbances. These symptoms are more common than you might think, especially in high-risk professions.

A common challenge that many high performers encounter is trying to be all things for all people.

Most of your day is spent serving others, whether taking on extra responsibilities at work or running around making sure your family and home are taken care of. You are constantly operating at a high level, and it’s hard to turn it off.

There is a lot of power in our thoughts and the stories we tell ourselves. Our beliefs greatly shape our reality, and they affect our perception of events and our journeys after we experience trauma.

In September 2008, I returned to Canada after a combat deployment to Afghanistan. Shortly after I came home, my parents held a welcome party for me with my family members. Unexpectedly, I couldn’t help but feel anxious and agitated. Among the normal conversations with my family, I felt a growing sense of tension and dread building in me. These feelings continued to build until I had to excuse myself and get some space.   

Are your internal beliefs holding you back from overcoming your challenges and living your best life?

We all have internal beliefs that form part of our identity. Some beliefs can be very helpful, such as believing you are strong, resilient, and brave. If I believe I am resilient, I will be more inclined to perform the activities that support that identity. I will apply positive coping mechanisms because if I don’t, it will conflict with the identity I’ve created for myself.

It takes incredible strength, discipline, and courage to wake up daily and confront your demons. These demons take many forms. They might be the mental illness you are dealing with, your grief, or your traumas.

After you go through a traumatic experience, your ability to manage stress and pressure is often negatively affected. We all know this, but why do we still self-sabotage by putting extra pressure on ourselves afterward?

Imagine holding a cup, representing your total “capacity” for mental energy. Your day-to-day responsibilities are normally well managed, and your cup might only be 60% full on average. When you are functioning optimally, you have the extra space to manage the unexpected stressors that arise.