What if Belly Had a Life Coach?
When fans watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon, we’re pulled into Belly’s whirlwind of first love, heartbreak, and the timeless push-and-pull between who she was and who she’s becoming. But what if Belly had a life coach walking alongside her? How might her story — and her choices — have been different?
At Juxtaposed Coaching, we believe in the power of helping people see their stories from the outside in, clarifying what they really want, and designing rhythms that move them toward it. If Belly had worked with a coach, here’s how her story might have shifted.
1. Clarity: Naming the Real Story
Instead of drifting between Conrad and Jeremiah, unsure of what her feelings meant, a coach would’ve invited Belly to step back and ask:
* What do I actually want for myself this summer?
* What story am I living in — and what story do I want to intentionally create?
With clarity, Belly could’ve named her desires beyond romance: belonging, confidence, and stepping into her identity as more than “the little sister.”
2. Goals: From Triangle to Transformation
Rather than letting her love triangle define her days, a coach would strategically ask Belly thought-provoking questions to help her discover who she is, what she thinks, and what she really wants. These questions could help Belly set three simple goals for her summer (and beyond). For example:
1. Build confidence in who I’m becoming.
2. Strengthen my relationships (with both friends and family).
3. Reflect on summer moments that feel most like the real me.
These goals don’t erase the romance, but they stop it from hijacking her whole story — and intentionally create opportunities to discover her identity.
3. Rhythms: Designing the Summer She Wanted
Good life coaching helps us to move from intention to rhythm. Instead of waiting for the boys’ attention, Belly could’ve:
* Scheduled intentional alone time (beach walks, journaling, reading) to take steps toward discovering who she is.
* Planned meaningful moments with those who encourage her, like Laurel and Susannah.
* Set boundaries around her relationships — knowing when to lean in, when to pause to reflect, and when to agree to disagree.
Rhythms would have given Belly more agency in her story rather than simply reacting to everyone else’s emotions.
4. Reflection: Making Sense of the Mess
Every coaching session centers around giving the client space for reflection. Imagine if Belly had been invited to process:
* “How did I feel when Conrad pulled away?”
* “What do I really admire about Jeremiah beyond his attention?”
* “What did I discover about myself through these choices?”
Instead of spiraling in confusion, reflection would’ve given her perspective, growth, and resilience.
The Juxtaposition That Changes Everything
Belly’s story is one we all resonate with: the tension between longing to be chosen and learning to choose ourselves. A life coach doesn’t erase the drama, but we sure help to reframe it to help clients decide, not slide, through life. Through clarity, goals, rhythms, and reflection, Belly could’ve had a story less about turning pretty on the outside and more about discovering her beauty on the inside.
And that’s a story you deserve too.
👉 Ready to step out of confusion and into clarity? At Juxtaposed Coaching, we help you design rhythms that actually work, set goals that matter, and reflect your way into resilience. Because your life doesn’t need to feel like a tangled love triangle.