When the Mall Goes Quiet: What Dead Malls Can Teach Us About Hitting Reset in Life

Remember the buzz of a packed mall? The music, the food court smells, the lights, the possibility? One of the last malls I worked in as an assistant manager of The Children's Place, the Paradise Valley Mall, is no more. It's being redeveloped.

Now imagine walking through that same space today—dark, quiet, decaying.

It’s haunting. But also… familiar?

Many people reach a point in life where they feel like a “dead mall” on the inside: full of empty storefronts, echoes of old dreams, and forgotten purpose. But like those malls, life can be revitalized—with the right vision, guidance, and support.

1. The Dead Mall as a Metaphor for Burnout or Disconnection

Once a center of energy, now left behind. That feeling after high school graduation when the possibilities were endless… at least that is how I felt. Ready to start anew, discover new people, places, and possibilities. I’ve never been one to dwell on my age, but I am human and do have moments when life hits hard and has me feeling outdated or that I don’t have it figured out yet. I’m a fan of building your community and not worrying how big or how many people you have that love, trust, and have your back. Don’t get me wrong, it can be hard to find your people, but it’s worth weeding through the “friends” who turn out to be acquaintances or only want to hang because you have the connections.

Just like people who were once “busy,” “successful,” or “on track” but now feel stuck or outdated. Dead malls were once full of energy, people, food, and money. And even now, dead malls haven’t lost their luster. These dead malls have become a niche fascination for urban explorers, architecture enthusiasts, and those nostalgic for 20th-century consumer culture. If dead malls can be featured in documentaries and even a Blues Brothers movie, you can reframe your current perspective on life, your worth, and your future plans.

Reflect on the “storefronts” in your life: relationships, passions, habits—are they open or boarded up? Some of the topics that come up for my clients are universal to us all: love, status in life, health, imposter syndrome, and fear of the unknown.

2. Decay Doesn’t Mean Defeat

Dead malls aren’t just sad—they’re poignant. They have touched so many lives. Many people find them fascinating.

They represent unmet potential, changing seasons, and the cost of not adapting. Yet many of them are still relevant and highly sought after as destinations in the U.S. and Canada. There is always something to be said for history, and as the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do you find yourself beautiful inside and out?

Similarly, when we resist change in life, things stagnate. That once bright-eyed, bushy-tailed high school graduate who was all about trying new things, places, meeting new people… loses themselves in their work, the daily grind, parenting, or comparing themselves to others similar in age on social media or at their high school reunions.

 3. Life Coaches as the Redevelopers

Life coaches aren’t there to rebuild the mall for you, but to help you reimagine what it could become. We are there to remind you of your talents and all those challenges you overcame. Let’s get that inner light shining bright and you stepping into your power to design the life you want. It’s never too late.

Like visionary developers who turn a ghost mall into a community center, artist space, or green zone—a coach helps you see new paths where others see decline. We hold the mirror up to you so you can see how amazing you are.

Coaching isn’t about fixing you—it’s about rediscovering your blueprint. And developing your new lease on life.

4. Resetting Isn’t a Failure—It’s a New Lease

Dead malls are being reborn all over the country: mixed-use spaces, education centers, creative hubs.

You can do the same.

It starts with asking: What no longer serves me? What new purpose can I pursue? What is my why? It can be scary to even think about these questions, let alone answer them… out loud...but that’s where your life coach meets you where you're at and holds space.

Closing

If you feel like your inner mall is empty, dusty, or dimly lit—it’s not the end. It’s just an invitation to reimagine.

With the right guide by your side, you can start unlocking the lights again, one storefront at a time.

That’s what coaching is: a co-creation of your next chapter.

Curious about revitalizing your own “inner mall”? Schedule a free spark session and explore what’s next in your life’s blueprint.