why I don’t have kids

I’ve been judged HARD about this one… ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ WOW. This SUPER SURPRISED me! We got thousands of email responses this week, and I never would've guessed that the one question you wanted to know most about my personal life is: “Marie, why don’t you have kids?” Before I answer that… Let me say that I’ve been judged hard about this one for most of my adult life. I got a LOT of guilt trips from my mom (“But why?!?! I just don’t understand!”). I got questions ranging from curious to awkward to downright rude from friends, colleagues, total randos, and their grandmothers, too. Here’s the truth. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I didn’t want children. Never once did I fantasize about it. Dream about it. Nor did I have any kind of biological, hormonal, or ‘inner urge’ to have children. Not as a teen. Not as a young adult. Not as a grown-ass woman. You see, not having kids is probably one of the clearest ‘knowings’ I’ve ever had in my life. It was never a decision or struggle. Nor was any ‘second-guessing’ involved, because for me — it’s always been a clear and grounded, “That’s not my path in life.” That soul-knowing leaves me peaceful, grounded, and free. This is important… Society has programmed us to believe that we’re supposed to follow a certain script in life in order to be happy. But what if that’s simply not true? What if it’s total BS?!?! What if your happiest, healthiest, most fulfilled life comes as a result of having the courage to do things differently? From having the audacity to explore what else is possible when you step off the well-trodden path? For instance: ⇒ What if dream BIGGER isn’t always the wisest answer for every person or business?!? In fact, I’d argue streamlining and simplifying can be the healthiest thing one can do. (And no, dreaming smaller does not mean you’re slacking or limiting your potential.) ⇒ What if MORE isn't always better? In fact, I believe the constant, unchecked desire for more can lead to destructive, devastating consequences. Here’s my point. Each of us is born with a unique, miraculous blueprint of what we’re here to do, experience, and create. That blueprint doesn’t come from your family, culture, or society. It lives within your heart. And if you don’t admit to yourself what YOU really want out of life and take steps to make it a reality… You wind up friggin’ miserable. Exhausted. Feeling like something is seriously off because you’re not breathing life into the über-unique blueprint that is yours, and yours alone. Don’t believe me? Listen to this (press play!). [Listen to this (press play!).]( Now imagine, {NAME}… That you had a private, special space where your unique dreams could be explored, encouraged, and nurtured into reality. A space where you could master the tools of personal creation. Where you could train — mind, body, and soul to become the artist of your own life. Where you could connect with other brave souls who only want for you what you most want in your heart. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. On Tuesday, you’ll get your invite. Because we all need a place like this. A place to connect, learn, and grow. No judgment. No side-eye. No following other people’s ‘rules’. Just a CELEBRATION and ACTIVATION of the once-in-a-lifetime miracle that is you. Have a great rest of the weekend, Xoxo 💖 Marie P.S. And of course, keep the replies coming too! I’m having SO MUCH fun reading them. 💌   If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription, you can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe here]( or you can email your request to info@marieforleo.com. [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Policy]( Marie Forleo International, 511 Avenue of the Americas #3517, New York, NY 10011