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So Now What?: Create a Life You Love Without the Children You Always Dreamed Of
A fresh perspective to living a rich, fulfilling, and beautiful life even without the traditional milestones of motherhood.
This is a groundbreaking guide for women navigating an unexpected childless life-a topic with few resources, yet one that so many silently struggle with.
Whether fertility treatments ended without the child you dreamed of, or if health or other life circumstances shaped the path you're on now, this book offers hope, empowerment, and a clear way forward.
Unlike other resources that focus solely on grieving the loss of motherhood, So Now What? goes deeper and helps you not only process the loss of a dream, but also uncovers the possibilities, purpose, and joy in the life you are building.
With authenticity, heartfelt stories, and practical tools, certified life coach and infertility advocate Lana Manikowski helps
Navigate the emotional complexities of your childless journeyRediscover your joy and create a life that is vibrant and uniquely yoursFind peace and create a meaningful legacy without motherhoodThrough empowering exercises and deeply personal insights garnered from the author's own seven-year journey through fertility treatments, So Now What? invites you to move forward-not by erasing your dreams of being a mother, but by embracing the beauty of what lies ahead.
This is a life-changing resource for anyone seeking to reclaim their purpose and create a fulfilling future when life turns out so differently than expected.
Your story isn't over. It's just beginning.
This is a groundbreaking guide for women navigating an unexpected childless life-a topic with few resources, yet one that so many silently struggle with.
Whether fertility treatments ended without the child you dreamed of, or if health or other life circumstances shaped the path you're on now, this book offers hope, empowerment, and a clear way forward.
Unlike other resources that focus solely on grieving the loss of motherhood, So Now What? goes deeper and helps you not only process the loss of a dream, but also uncovers the possibilities, purpose, and joy in the life you are building.
With authenticity, heartfelt stories, and practical tools, certified life coach and infertility advocate Lana Manikowski helps
Navigate the emotional complexities of your childless journeyRediscover your joy and create a life that is vibrant and uniquely yoursFind peace and create a meaningful legacy without motherhoodThrough empowering exercises and deeply personal insights garnered from the author's own seven-year journey through fertility treatments, So Now What? invites you to move forward-not by erasing your dreams of being a mother, but by embracing the beauty of what lies ahead.
This is a life-changing resource for anyone seeking to reclaim their purpose and create a fulfilling future when life turns out so differently than expected.
Your story isn't over. It's just beginning.
Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2025
This book seeks to support and empower readers who have unexpectedly found themselves on a childless life path. It acts as a navigation tool for women who had always expected to be mothers, yet due to infertility or other reasons, have found themselves in a life without children that they never planned for.
Lana Manikowski shares the story of how her husband and she tried for several years to have a child, undertaking rounds of IVF treatment, but their fertility journey didn't end how they had hoped. Understandably, Lana experienced a long period of grief after this experience before she was able to come to terms with her childlessness. But on coming through this, Lana reemerged as a stronger and more resilient person who has also been able to extend that strength into guiding other childless women.
This book is written to fill the gap in support that Lana identified during her own post-IVF journey - offering women a more defined path to emerge through their grief and into a new life that they can love. Lana shares the tools and techniques of her coaching practice to steer women back onto a life course in which they can feel fulfilled. In particular, the book offers a series of thinking points that can help to move readers forward and step into a life filled with meaning, purpose and joy. And whilst the book is written from the perspective of someone who underwent fertility treatment as part of a couple (and this may not be every reader's exact story), there is warmth and wisdom here from Lana for all non-mothers.
Lana Manikowski shares the story of how her husband and she tried for several years to have a child, undertaking rounds of IVF treatment, but their fertility journey didn't end how they had hoped. Understandably, Lana experienced a long period of grief after this experience before she was able to come to terms with her childlessness. But on coming through this, Lana reemerged as a stronger and more resilient person who has also been able to extend that strength into guiding other childless women.
This book is written to fill the gap in support that Lana identified during her own post-IVF journey - offering women a more defined path to emerge through their grief and into a new life that they can love. Lana shares the tools and techniques of her coaching practice to steer women back onto a life course in which they can feel fulfilled. In particular, the book offers a series of thinking points that can help to move readers forward and step into a life filled with meaning, purpose and joy. And whilst the book is written from the perspective of someone who underwent fertility treatment as part of a couple (and this may not be every reader's exact story), there is warmth and wisdom here from Lana for all non-mothers.
April 22, 2025
MUST READ for women going through infertility and find themselves questioning what’s next when motherhood remains out of reach. Intended audience: Childless Not By Choice!
Written with empathy and honesty, this book helps readers find fulfillment and rewrite the narrative of the next chapter of their lives.
There is joy available after infertility and this book reads as a guide to help you get there.
Written with empathy and honesty, this book helps readers find fulfillment and rewrite the narrative of the next chapter of their lives.
There is joy available after infertility and this book reads as a guide to help you get there.
June 11, 2025
Really appreciated this book—it offers a refreshing perspective for those whose infertility journeys haven’t followed the typical narrative of “success.” It’s a worthwhile read for anyone navigating life after or alongside infertility, especially when the path looks different than expected.
The author captures so many relatable experiences: the emotional weight of well-meaning but painful questions about children, the disenfranchised grief that often goes unacknowledged, the strain infertility can place on relationships, and the unique challenges of facing holidays and social events. These moments are written with honesty and empathy, which makes readers feel seen and understood.
What stood out most was the forward-thinking, encouraging message woven throughout. The author emphasizes reclaiming power and agency in your own life, and her story is a hopeful reminder that things can get better—even if the ending looks different than we imagined.
The book includes “paper thinking” exercises—essentially guided journaling prompts—which can be helpful for readers who process through writing. While this feature may not resonate with everyone, it adds a meaningful layer for those who enjoy reflection.
Overall, a thoughtful and empowering read for anyone living with or beyond infertility.
The author captures so many relatable experiences: the emotional weight of well-meaning but painful questions about children, the disenfranchised grief that often goes unacknowledged, the strain infertility can place on relationships, and the unique challenges of facing holidays and social events. These moments are written with honesty and empathy, which makes readers feel seen and understood.
What stood out most was the forward-thinking, encouraging message woven throughout. The author emphasizes reclaiming power and agency in your own life, and her story is a hopeful reminder that things can get better—even if the ending looks different than we imagined.
The book includes “paper thinking” exercises—essentially guided journaling prompts—which can be helpful for readers who process through writing. While this feature may not resonate with everyone, it adds a meaningful layer for those who enjoy reflection.
Overall, a thoughtful and empowering read for anyone living with or beyond infertility.
November 10, 2025
Lana says things in this book that just help me feel normal and okay. Each chapter has key questions to consider and extremely helpful advice. The only thing I wish I could change is that I found it and read it earlier in my childless journey. It would have really helped. I’m 3 years in and still found it incredibly helpful. I wasn’t into the paper thinking at first but many good things can come from it. Thank you so much Lana for putting your story out there and striving to move forward and help the rest of us! Truly this is a gift.
December 14, 2025
This book has been an incredible resource for me as I come out on the other side of my heartbreaking infertility journey not as a mom. An important read for anyone struggling to find their place after they couldn’t become a parent.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews