Episode 7: Perfectionism, Midlife Awakening, and Letting Go: Morgan’s Journey

In this episode of The Midlife Mud, Morgan dives into her lifelong struggle with perfectionism, control, and the fear of failure—common themes for anyone navigating midlife. She unpacks how early coping mechanisms, like meticulously arranging her Lip Smackers as a kid, set the stage for a relentless pursuit of certainty in adulthood. That drive led her to dentistry, not out of passion but because it felt like a “sure thing.” But when her orthodontic practice failed, she was forced to face a hard truth: perfectionism isn’t a safety net—it’s a trap.

Morgan shares the breaking points that finally made her question everything, from the stress-induced shingles that took her down in 2017 to the life-changing car accident in 2024 that forced her to rethink what really matters. She opens up about her shift from fear-based parenting to connection-focused parenting, the lessons she’s learned through coaching, and how midlife has been both a reckoning and a reset.

If you’ve ever tried to control your way to happiness—only to realize it’s exhausting and unsustainable—this episode is for you. Tune in for an honest, unfiltered conversation about perfectionism, failure, resilience, and what it really takes to let go in midlife.