Breakdown or Breakthrough? Is Your Engine Failing?

Let’s pretend, for a moment, that we are all cars (OK, if you prefer, Transformers), and you’re cruising through life with what you assume is a smooth engine, career humming, relationships steady, responsibilities handled. Then, without warning, things start sputtering. Something feels off and the drive isn’t as smooth anymore. 
The motivation you once had? Gone.
The things that used to excite you now feel routine… or worse, heavy.
That’s not just midlife. That’s your check engine light coming on.
And the big question is:
Do you ignore it and keep driving until something breaks down?
Or do you pull over, pop the hood, and figure out what needs attention? 

This is dedicated to all those who just stepped into their midlife crossroads, or like me, are approaching a milestone stage in your life and you are no longer sure you like the road you’ve been driving on, or even the car you’ve been driving.  

When your car starts making strange noises, you don’t just turn up the radio and hope it goes away. You listen. You investigate. You find a good mechanic. So why don’t we treat our lives the same way? At midlife, a lot of us hit this invisible wall: career burnout, relationship disconnect, identity crisis. And instead of checking under the hood, we try to power through. We distract ourselves. We allow others to convince us that stagnancy is the new norm with phrases like
“You should be grateful.”
“This is just what life is like.”
“There is no time to stop.”
I’m here to demystify all of this with the following sentence: Ignoring the signs doesn’t make the problem go away. It makes the breakdown inevitable.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is to pull over, step back, get honest and assess what’s actually going on. Is the engine of your career misfiring? Have your relationships lost alignment? Are you running on fumes—emotionally, creatively, spiritually?

A pause is not weakness. It is never weakness or a sign of capitulation or cowardice. It’s maintenance. It’s how you prevent the breakdown and move toward a breakthrough. And sometimes, just like with a car, you need a mechanic, be it in the form of a coach, therapist, mentor, spiritual guide, or trusted friend; someone to help diagnose what’s wrong and guide you to a better path. The most beautiful part? Engines can be rebuilt just like systems can be upgraded. Old cars (ehem, vintage) can drive new roads. Midlife isn’t a dead end. It’s a rest stop. A chance to refuel, reroute, and remember why you started the journey in the first place. The best drivers aren’t the ones who never face trouble—they’re the ones who know when to slow down, when to seek help, and when to change course.

So if you’re feeling stuck, off-track, or ready to give up—know this: your life isn’t falling apart. Your soul is asking for a tune-up. This isn’t the end of the road. It’s just a necessary pit stop. Breakdown or breakthrough? The choice is yours. Just don’t be afraid to check the engine.