Filmmaker and author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal's column in The New York Times, "You May Want To Marry My Husband," was released on March 3, 2017, ten days before she died. She wrote about loving her husband, Jason Rosenthal, the life they had together, and how she hoped he would move forward. It immediately went viral and has been read by millions of people.
In the piece, Rosenthal reflects on their 26-year marriage, highlighting Jason's qualities—his kindness, creativity, and dedication as a father. She expresses her desire for him to find happiness after her passing, hoping that "the right person reads this, finds Jason, and another love story begins." The essay resonated deeply with readers worldwide, serving as a testament to enduring love and selflessness in the face of mortality. It also reminds us that endings can herald new beginnings, and this could be an invitation for reinvention.
Jason Rosenthal offers us candid insights on the often excruciating process of moving through loss - as well as some quiet wisdom for anyone else experiencing life-changing grief in his much viewed 2018 TED talk, The Journey through Loss and Grief. Happiness can be recovered, and new joys can be encountered, and it requires us to re-form our sense of self.
Loss is not a prerequisite for our reinvention, although loss has a mandatory learning module that requires us to reassess our lives. We can choose reinvention at any time. It might be boredom, frustration with repeated disappointments, or an unwavering desire for change that motivates us to let go and move on.
Have a look at the list of 10 reasons why it might be time to let go of the old patterns and habits and to consider a plan for reinvention of your life narrative.
1 | Repeating Unhelpful Patterns: You keep making the same mistakes or encountering the same struggles in different areas of life.
2 | Persistent Discomfort & Restlessness: You feel stuck or frustrated, even though nothing has technically gone wrong.
3 | Feeling Out of Alignment: Your actions, choices, or relationships don’t reflect your true values anymore.
4 | Negative Self-Talk & Limiting Beliefs: Your inner voice is harsh, repetitive, or full of self-doubt.
5 | Emotional & Physical Burnout: You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained by your current habits or thinking patterns.
6 | External Feedback & Signs: People close to you reflect back concerns about your behaviour, mindset, or emotional state.
7 | Resistance to Growth & Change: You rationalise staying the same with thoughts like: “That’s just how I am,” or “I’ve always done it this way.”
8 | Lack of Progress or Purpose: You feel stagnant—as if you’re going through the motions without growth or purpose.
9 | A Deep Inner Knowing: Something inside you whispers that it’s time for a shift, but fear holds you back.
10 | Holding Onto the Past: You keep replaying old mistakes, regrets, or resentments, unable to move forward.
Reinventing yourself can be about implementing changes and new behaviours or habits that could result in you feeling less regret and having a fuller sense of being alive. Use our free template No Regrets (Click Here) to guide you through some thinking and preparation that might launch you into a moment of reinvention.
From a narrative practice perspective, reinventing oneself involves re-authoring one’s life story to align with our preferred values, strengths, and possibilities. Reinvention is the process of intentionally transforming ourselves, our habits, or circumstances to align with new goals, values, or personal growth. It involves letting go of outdated patterns and embracing change to create a renewed sense of purpose and identity. Is it time to author a new chapter in your life story?
If you’d like to explore your life stories in more detail or begin a journey of reinvention, why not reach out to Made Better Human? We offer a comprehensive program, Made Better Stories which guides you through an approach you can take to unfold new meaning and perspective on your life stories. Or you might like to work with one of our narrative therapists / coaches who can offer one-on-one coaching that will support you as you work through your stories and the re-authoring process. Contact us here.