When we are living through an acutely difficult period, it can be almost impossible to imagine that life will ever feel different. We cannot see the path ahead; we see only what has been lost, what has gone wrong and how far we appear to be from the life we desired. At such times, the reassurance that “everything happens for a reason” can feel hollow or dismissive. Some experiences are profoundly unfair, and there are events we would never have

There can be enormous pressure in our lives to appear “fine”. How many times do we respond with “fine” to the question of “how are you?” when the opposite is true. We may become skilled at presenting a capable and composed version of ourselves: continuing to work, caring for others and meeting the demands placed upon us, even when something inside feels overwhelmed, frightened or profoundly alone. We tell ourselves that other people have it worse, that we should be

For generations, many women have learnt that succeeding requires them to embody qualities traditionally associated with the masculine: independence, decisiveness, productivity, resilience and control. These qualities are not inherently male, nor are they undesirable. They help us establish boundaries, pursue meaningful goals and create change. Yet when they become the only qualities valued by our workplaces and wider culture, something important can be lost. Many women have become extraordinarily capable. We keep going, solve problems and carry responsibility—often while managing