n this episode of Shattered Not Broken, I’m opening up about something many of us carry quietly—those years we look back on and think, “why didn’t I walk away sooner?” I spent over two decades in a marriage that slowly pulled me away from my friends, my family, and even pieces of myself. It wasn’t dramatic in the moment, but it was damaging over time.

This conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness. It’s about realizing when someone is shrinking your world instead of sharing it with you. And it’s about reclaiming your life, your joy, and your relationships, even if it happens years later than you wish it had.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you stayed out of survival… or whether you gave up too much of yourself to keep the peace, this episode will probably feel a little personal. And just know—you’re not the only one who’s had to rebuild from something you didn’t recognize until you were already deep in it.