Marianne Preston

Coach- Life Transitions & Burnout Recovery

Newsletter:
May 5, 2025

Face shot of Murphy ( my Rottie mix dog) by the lake — My boy Murphy

Hey there Reader,

Preparing to Let Go
A Sunday Letter

I’ve been thinking about loss lately.
Not in a faraway or philosophical way, but in the real, quiet way it starts to show up when someone you love is fading right in front of you.

It is a quiet ache in my chest.
It’s not sharp. Not dramatic. Just present. Always there.
It rises when I catch a glimpse of Murphy sunbathing on the floor or feel the warm weight of his head resting on my foot.

Murphy is still here. Still curling up beside me. Still walking with me through the pace of daily life as he follows me from room to room. But I can feel that something is changing.

Some days there are more obvious signs, and some days it is soft. Slow. But unmistakable.

And so I find myself preparing.This isn’t just about pets or aging. It’s about the slow goodbyes we all carry—

The mother you sense is fading.
The job you know is no longer yours.
The version of yourself you’re growing out of.
The child who is becoming someone new.
The season that’s closing quietly behind you.

This kind of loss doesn’t shout. It whispers.
And so, we prepare.

I’ve done this before, in different ways—with people I love, with seasons of life that have ended. And still, it’s never easy. You can’t really get good at loss. But I’ve learned a few things about what helps.

Start saying thank you.
I’ve been doing this a lot lately. Out loud. Whispered. Sometimes just in my mind as I watch him sleep or feel the warmth of his body next to mine.

Thank you for your love. Thank you for your steadiness. Thank you for teaching me to stay grounded and present. Thank you for simply being here.

Let yourself feel what you feel.
I’ve stopped trying to stay composed or strong in ways that cost me more than they serve me. Some days I feel grateful. Some days I feel raw. And some days I just cry without needing to explain it.

Bring in softness.
These days, I reach for what feels comforting. I look at photos of Murphy. I make tea. I take long walks. I listen to music that settles my spirit. These are small things, but they matter. They remind me I can still care for myself, even in the hardest seasons.

Talk to someone.
I’ve shared what’s happening with only a few people closest to me. I don’t need advice or a solution—I just need to speak the truth of it out loud.

And sometimes, I talk to Murphy, too. He knows. Our animals always do.

I’m someone who processes things internally.
I tend to feel deeply but quietly, often needing time and space to let things move through me before I give them words.

We all have out own way. Trust you will know what is best for you.

Keep showing up.
Even in the midst of this slow goodbye, I try to stay present. To not miss the now, even as I prepare for what’s coming. He’s still here. There is still beauty. There is still time.

One of the tools that I have dived into is "How to Survive the Loss of a Pet" audio set by Cheryl Richardson. It is helping!

3 Points to Ponder

Is there something (or someone) you are quietly preparing to let go of?
What would it look like to meet that moment with tenderness?
How do you naturally process loss or emotional change—internally, externally, or both?
Can you give yourself permission to feel and process it your way?
What small ritual or act of presence could help you stay connected while slowly releasing what’s changing?
A photo. A walk. A journal entry. A whispered “thank you.” It all counts.

This isn’t a post about how to do loss well.
It’s just a reflection from someone in the middle of it.
Someone who loves deeply and is slowly, gently learning to let go.

If you’re in a season like this—where goodbye is coming but not yet—I hope you’re giving yourself permission to feel it all. To care for yourself. To say the thank-yous now.
It won’t make it easier. But it might make it softer.

With love,
Marianne

Marianne cuddling Murphys head — My Love!

What's Coming and what is available:

I will be away in the latter part of May so I will aim for June to do a ZOOM call. How our body holds stress and how we show up with that affects our outcomes. There are a couple of options so let me know what you prefer:

"How to Calm and Manage your Body through times of Stress" or
2. " How to Stop Feeling Invisible and Show Up for Yourself " More details to follow!!!

90 minutes private session on "Life By Design" - a laser coaching session to hone in on your top priorities and create clarity and a blueprint for success.
1:1 Coaching opportunities exist.

Staying Connected

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