The Cost of Staying

Send us Fan Mail The hardest decision isn't about what it will cost to leave. It's about what it is already costing you to stay. In this solo episode, I talk about the hidden costs of staying in situations that no longer serve us, whether it’s a marriage, relationship, job, friendship, or even a version of ourselves. Drawing from my own experience after ending a 28-year marriage, I share how looking at something as an asset or a liability can help us see what it is truly costing us. This episode isn’t about telling you to stay or leave. It’s about asking honest questions, recognizing what is helping you grow, and considering what may be costing you more than you realize. Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode snippet 00:02:17 – The cost of staying 00:06:20 – When holding on hurts you 00:08:00 – Cost vs. investment 00:10:14 – Sponsor: First Light Home Care of Bowie 00:11:41 – When a relationship becomes a cost 00:13:30 – Giving more than you receive 00:15:53 – What is staying costing you? 00:17:15 – The hidden costs of staying 00:18:40 – The cost of staying vs. leaving 00:20:40 – Is your situation an asset or a liability? 00:21:10 – Don’t you lose yourself to make things work 00:22:30 – Thinking about a different future 00:23:00 – Your Next Chapter Live event details Key Takeaways: “Holding on to something that no longer serves you and to a version of your life that is no longer aligned is a slow, painful death.” “The distinction between a cost and an investment lies in the anticipated future value.” “If you are in a relationship where the value is depreciating and not appreciating, then there is a cost to staying.” ✨Season 5 Sponsor: Our Season 5 sponsor is FirstLight Home Care of Bowie. They are a Black-woman owned non-medical home care agency serving families throughout Prince George’s County, MD since 2017. They offer specialized in-home care for individuals navigating: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke Recovery, and Diabetes. Please visit their website or call 301-778-1988 for more information. Join us for Your nEXt Chapter Live! Sunday 11/8 at 1 pm in the DMV 🎉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-next-chapter-live-tickets-2000830768690 Join our email list to stay up to date: bit.ly/joinYNC ☕ Support the podcast here: Buy Me a Coffee About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yournextchap Your nEXt Chapter podcast explores the challenges and triumphs women face as they reclaim joy, reimagine the future, and redefine their identity after divorce and other unexpected life transitions. Join Dr. Nicole as she shares insights from her journey as a high-achieving professional woman navigating divorce while walking in her Christian faith. Support the show