45: On Infertility Struggles, Undesired Childlessness, and How to Regain Balance and Find Your Purpose When You Find Yourself in Unexpected Circumstances

Have you ever found yourself on a life or career path that took you completely by surprise? When a plan you’d mapped out so clearly in your head didn’t unfold the way you’d imagined — or hoped — it would?Well, my guest in this podcast episode, Lana Manikowski, is no stranger to that kind of turning point. So much so, that she’s written a book entitled So Now What?, and hosts a podcast of the same name, which charts her experience of coming to terms with a reality vastly different from the one she’d envisioned.At the heart of Lana’s story is an infertility struggle that lasted seven years, ultimately leading to the painful realisation that motherhood wasn’t going to be part ofher future — despite her hopes and expectations.The impact on Lana’s working life was profound. It shifted not only her sense of purpose, but also how she viewed her own value and the role that work had played – and was evolving - in her life. In our conversation, Lana opens up about how infertility treatment affected her work-life balance. We also talk about how her identity as the child of immigrants shaped her work ethic and values, and explore her bold transition from corporate life to self-employment. Throughout this episode, I step outside my comfort zone to ask some direct, and at times difficult questions about motherhood and infertility – topics that are often considered off-limits in polite conversation- too personal, too painful and shrouded in stigma. But Lana’s openness, her commitment to breaking the silence around these issues, and her desire to be the role model that she needed during her own darkest times, created the opportunity for us to explore the emotional realities that many women face – but few talk about.In so doing, we get to the heart of how to find balance during infertility treatment, and what it means to rebuild a meaningful working life when the dream of becoming a mum doesn’t come true.RELATED EPISODES: On Work-Life Balance and Infertility Struggles: 14: On Pride, Acceptance & Finding Balance by Parenting Equally While Working Full-Time-Paul's Story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/14-on-pride-acceptance-finding-balance-by-parenting/id1570430336?i=10006246155951: On self-care, the power of a positive mindset, and finding balance in mid-life - Soli’s Story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1-on-self-care-the-power-of-a-positive/id1570430336?i=1000530012085On Collegiate Relations When You Don't Have Caring Responsibilities: 6: “Single & Childfree by Choice”. On boundary-setting & doing what makes you happy - Laurie’s Story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/6-single-childfree-by-choice-on-boundary-setting-doing/id1570430336?i=1000553872664