She had the degrees. She had the drive. She even ran her own business at one point. But somewhere between academic success and adulthood, Martha Mkhize life took a turn she never anticipated. What followed was 11 years in informal settlements, a difficult marriage, a painful divorce and the long journey of learning how to forgive herself.
It was not the life she imagined, but it became the life that shaped her into someone who now writes, reflects and reaches others through her story.
A hard fall and an honest look
Martha studied psychology and anthropology. She understood human behaviour and had a mind built for reflection. But nothing in her textbooks could prepare her for the emotional cost of her own choices. After facing instability, financial strain and emotional pain, she began to unpack how it all happened.
“After everything, I had to acknowledge that I’m the one who made the poor decision,” she says. “When you are in that valley, you tend to blame others, but owning your mistakes is the first step to moving forward.”
That realisation was the start of her healing. Not a breakthrough moment or outside rescue, but an internal shift. She stopped pointing fingers. She looked inward. And in that space, she found something she had not touched in years: power.
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Writing her way back
She began journaling in private, not with the intent to publish or inspire but to understand. The process brought clarity. Slowly, it also brought peace.
“Writing down your journey is very therapeutic,” Martha says. “I want readers to know that making mistakes is not the end of life. They can always turn their lives around by facing their past and moving forward with self-love.”
Those journal entries later became the pages of her book Greater Than Regret. The book offers no sugar-coating and no perfect ending. What it does offer is honesty. Martha talks about her pain, the weight of judgment, and the process of learning how to live again after losing herself.
The message is simple. If you are still here, you still have a chance. Your story can still change.
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The role of faith and self-forgiveness
Martha’s journey was never just about personal growth. It was about spiritual growth too. “It was through faith that I knew I had to forgive myself for the poor choices I made and ask for strength to continue,” she says. Faith helped her silence the noise of shame and gave her the courage to walk forward even while carrying regret. “Without faith, many would lose hope, but with it, you find the power to carry on.”
Today, Martha encourages others to write, reflect, speak to someone, and take accountability without being crushed by it. She believes that faith, journaling and therapy are practical tools for emotional healing. They do not erase the past, but they help people live beyond it.
Greater Than Regret is not only the name of her book. It is her reality. And through every page and every conversation, she reminds others that your worst mistake does not have to define you. You are always more than what you regret.
To know more about Martha’s journey and her book, watch the video below:
