Meet Priya | Life is Changing

Priya (45)

Priya dedicated years to her marriage and family, keeping everything running smoothly and prioritising others’ needs above her own. As her children grew up and her household became quieter, she realised her marriage had drifted, leaving her unsure of her own place in it. She now faces emotional uncertainty while learning to centre herself, rediscover her voice, and navigate a new chapter in her relationships. She’s finding strength in reflection, support from friends, and small steps toward self-discovery.

Driving back from work after a busy day, Priya could feel that her energy levels were low. It was already Wednesday, but the weekend felt so far away. And when it did arrive, it was gone in the blink of an eye. Yes, life felt like a whirlwind sometimes, but at least she had something to look forward to this weekend: Amina was coming home from uni. It had been a while since she had seen her. Every time she was supposed to visit, something came up. But this time, she had promised she would come home.

Priya turned the key in the door. The house was so quiet now. With Amina at uni and Ricky now married and living a few miles away, it definitely felt different. Now she would come home and prepare a meal for Steve. Sometimes it would go to waste, depending on the time he got home. Steve had set up a business with his best friend, and now they had a team of five. As the business grew, so did their time apart. He had always been work-orientated, but now he was on the road more often. She hadn’t noticed it before, maybe because the kids were there to fill the void, but now she realised how little time they spent together. Priya sighed and made her way to the kitchen. Just then, the phone rang and she heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, Amina. How’s my girl?” She smiled. It was nice to hear her voice.

“Hey, Mum, how has your day been?” Amina replied.

“Busy. I do feel mentally exhausted today. I had a difficult client and spent most of the day dealing with them. Still, we eventually got it sorted. I am really looking forward to seeing you this weekend. I was thinking we could go hiking, like we used to…”

Amina interrupted her. “Erm… about that.”

“Not again. What do you mean?” Priya could not hide her disappointment.

“I know, Mum, but me and the girls have decided to go away for the weekend. It’s the only opportunity we’ll get before our exams start. You can understand that.”

“When you went to uni, you promised me you would come home every break. I haven’t seen you for the last two.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“I’ve heard that before.” Priya felt agitated by the empty promise.

“Listen, I’ve got to go now. I love you,” Amina said. There was a moment of silence.

“Mmmm… I love you too.”

Priya looked around; the silence was deafening. “Yes, things have definitely changed,” she thought. As she turned to grab the pot from the cupboard, the phone rang again. This time it was Dannielle.

“Hello, lovely, I haven’t spoken to you all week. Been a bit manic. How you doing?” Dannielle enquired.

“I don’t know. Drained, bored, lonely,” she exhaled in frustration.

“Why, what’s happened?” Dannielle probed.

“Amina promised me that she was coming home this weekend. I made plans and now she’s cancelled again.”

“Sorry, Priya, but you know once they get with their friends, we become background noise.”

“Yeah, I know. It feels that way. I just have to get my head around it… Anyway, how is your week going?”

“I just feel tired all the time. I’ve booked an appointment with the doctor. Maybe he can give me something.”

“You do too much. You need to slow down.”

“Easier said than done. I can hear Joey crying. Got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And once again, there was silence.

Priya was half asleep when she heard the front door close. She looked over at the clock. It was 11:45 p.m. Steve tried to open the bedroom door quietly.

“Don’t worry… I’m awake,” Priya murmured.

“Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Steve apologised.

“Where have you been?” Priya wiped the tiredness from her eyes.

“Sorry, after the meeting I got caught up with the lads.”

“You seem to be doing that a lot lately.” Priya shot him a concerned look.

“We were celebrating. We secured the contract. You can’t get mad at me for that.”

“No, what I can get mad at is coming home from work and cooking a meal for you, then throwing it away. You know what?… forget it. Congratulations, by the way.”

Priya turned her back and pretended to go back to sleep, with everything weighing on her mind. Eventually she drifted off into a restless sleep.

Priya was the first one there at their usual meet-up. She checked her phone – no messages from the kids or Steve. She continued to scroll until Aisha arrived, followed by Dannielle and Simone.

“Evening, ladies.” Simone gave a warm smile. “How is everyone doing?” Everyone gestured except Priya, who sat silently.

“Are you okay?” Aisha turned to face Priya.

“No, not really. Amina has let me down again, and I had a fight with Steve last night.”

“Why?” Simone asked, frowning.

“Well… now that the kids aren’t there, I’m often alone. I didn’t realise it before because they were there to keep me occupied. But now… I’m noticing how distant we really are. I poured so much energy into being the perfect mother, the perfect wife… I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Dannielle touched her hand. “That’s normal. It takes a lot of adjusting. Who said it would be easy?”

“Have you sat down with him and had a heart-to-heart conversation?” Simone asked.

“No, not really. We’re like ships that pass in the night. And when I do voice my concerns, we end up fighting.” Priya felt a lump in her throat.

“You need to set time aside. Go for a meal, or cook something special. Let him know that this is playing on your mind, you need to tell it like it is,” Aisha suggested.

“And as for you, you need to reclaim yourself. Yes, we all do that quite often, putting everyone else first. But this is your time now. Think of it that way. What do you enjoy? What have you stopped doing but would like to get back to? Start prioritising you,” Dannielle encouraged.

“You’re right. I’ve got to start somewhere,” Priya agreed.

“I’m going to an event this weekend. Something a little bit different. Somewhere I can meet new people, relax, and just take time out for me. You should come along,” Aisha said.

“You know what?” Priya paused. “I just might.”

The evening turned into shared stories, filled with laughter. Sometimes that’s just what you need: to be around people who get you.

“Where would I be without my girls?” Priya laughed as she made her way back to her car.

Final Thoughts

Reclaiming yourself can start with the smallest step. A new space. A new experience. A table of friends who remind you that you’re supported, seen, and never doing life alone. And maybe that’s how we find ourselves again. Not by searching harder, but by trying something new, laughing a little louder, and remembering that the people beside us have been part of the journey all along.

Exploring new experiences isn’t always easy, but having a supportive circle can make all the difference. That’s why I’ve created workshops where you can try your hand at creative projects, share stories, and connect with people who get it. Little steps, big impact -sometimes the best way to rediscover yourself is in a space designed for growth and connection.

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