My Story

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Anxiety and low self-worth have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together— successful, managing businesses, ticking all the boxes. But inside, I was constantly questioning myself. It shaped my thoughts, my choices, and how I moved through life—often without me even realising it.

It wasn’t always obvious. Sometimes it was relentless overthinking, the need to get it right, or that constant feeling of being on edge. Other times, it was full-blown panic, leaving me convinced something terrible was about to happen. I thought if I worked hard enough, achieved enough, or just kept going, I’d eventually feel better. But no matter what I did, the nagging sense of not being enough never really went away.

I now know I had high-functioning anxiety. I could hold it all together on the outside, but inside, I was constantly managing an internal storm. I didn’t recognise how much my self-worth was tangled up in my anxiety—how feeling ‘not enough’ kept me stuck in a cycle of overthinking and self-doubt.

When my Body Forced me to Listen

For years, I kept pushing through. And then, my body started keeping score. The tension, exhaustion, and gut issues became relentless. My IBS was so bad I struggled to do the school run, drive long distances, or even sit through meetings without worrying about my symptoms. I started avoiding people because I didn’t have the energy to pretend I was okay, the masks were getting heavier. It was affecting my parenting, relationship and I was trying to run a business, be a mum, wife and friend all while feeling completely drained.

Then Eczema flared up. One symptom would fade, and another would take its place. My body was in a constant state of distress, and I couldn’t outrun it anymore. I felt broken and lost.

Eventually, I went to the doctor, terrified of what they might say. I was screened for serious illnesses, but every test came back clear. Health anxiety made this part of my journey unbearable, but I knew I couldn’t keep going like this. I had tried everything— changing my diet, exercising, pushing through—but nothing was working. My symptoms just kept shifting. Something had to change, but I had no idea what.

The Moment Therapy Changed Everything

I decided to reach out to a therapist. While I was making changes on the outside, I also had a deep feeling that I also needed to look inside.

The moment that opened it all up for me was a simple question my therapist asked me… How have you coped? That’s a lot.

I remember hearing those words made me feel truly seen. It was like, for the first time, someone acknowledged the weight I had been carrying. And over the sessions as I opened up to my therapist, I realised I was speaking to myself too. I hadn’t noticed just how much I had been carrying inside—years of stress, insecurity, and unprocessed emotions.

Therapy gave me space to reflect, and in that space, I started to truly discover myself. It was the start of something bigger. Because I had room to think—to really sit with my experiences and start making sense of them. I wasn’t just managing anxiety anymore; I was learning about myself.

From Reflection to Purpose

That journey of self-reflection turned into curiosity, and curiosity turned into learning. I leaned into it—reading, researching, and exploring more about anxiety and self-awareness. And eventually, I took it further. What started as personal reflection led me down a path of deeper study, and years later, I found myself completing a master’s degree.

As part of my master’s, I chose to research what authenticity meant to me. It was an opportunity to really look at all parts of
myself—who I was, what shaped me, and how I had been showing up in the world. What I didn’t expect was how much deeper I was able to explore my own anxiety through self-study. Through my research, I could finally take a step back and see my experiences more clearly, connecting dots I had never noticed before.

I had spent years trying to think my way out of anxiety, but no mindset shift could undo the foundation I had built on self-doubt.

I needed more than surface-level changes. I realised that I had to address it all—mind and body. I had been trapped in a cycle of insecurity, feeling like I wasn’t enough, and that kept me stuck.

The Real Lightbulb Moment?

This was the moment I realised—I was the vessel carrying me toward my dreams, but I was running on empty. The aspirations were still there, but the thing driving me forward was breaking down. If I wanted lasting change, I had to fix this first.

Therapy allowed me to do that safely. I explored everything— breathing techniques, grounding exercises, movement, and ways to regulate my nervous system. It wasn’t just about one approach; it was about creating a foundation that allowed me to truly support myself. Anxiety doesn’t just exist in the mind—it’s something we feel physically too. And that’s where some of the biggest challenges lie. When we’re anxious, it can feel almost impossible to connect with ourselves, to recognise what we need, or to even start the process of healing. That’s why creating a safe foundation first was so important for me—because without that, all the tools in the world wouldn’t have made a difference.

Turning Experience into Something Bigger

Looking back, I’ve always been fascinated by the brain—why we think the way we do, how emotions shape us, and why anxiety takes hold. University gave me the tools to really dive into research, and I naturally started exploring anxiety more as a passion. I read hundreds of books, absorbing everything that helped me understand who I was and what I needed to build a strong foundation.

And through all that learning, my book naturally took shape. Because for me, change wasn’t about quick fixes or positive thinking alone. It was about rebuilding self-worth from the inside out and understanding and accepting who I was at my core.

I still believe to this day that my therapist gave me the permission to get curious. Now, I know that I’m responsible for my own levels of self-worth. There are ways to manage the physical side effects of anxiety, but also ways to build a foundation so that when the waves hit—as they inevitably do in life—I have a bit more in my tank to handle them.

For me, that means getting outside in nature, being around dogs, taking time to learn and write, and doing things that bring me back to me. We all continue to learn how to manage anxiety and build self-worth throughout our lives. It’s not about erasing anxiety but understanding how to manage it so it doesn’t take over.

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it takes over, that’s when it becomes a struggle. Have you checked in with yourself lately? What’s supporting your dreams, your goals, your wellbeing?

Because if we don’t take a moment to reflect on the strength of the vessel carrying us forward—our mind, body, and self-worth— we risk moving through life without truly understanding what we need. Sometimes, the real challenge isn’t just managing anxiety; it’s recognising where we need more support to feel safe, grounded, and connected to ourselves.

For me, it’s been about learning how I best cope—understanding my triggers, addressing root causes, and keeping my self-worth topped up. Some days, that means getting outside in nature, being around dogs, or writing. Other days, it’s practising selfcompassion—reminding myself that I’m doing enough, that I don’t have to have it all figured out, and that I deserve kindness from myself too. And sometimes, it’s just allowing myself to slow down and take a breath. The more I connect with myself, the more forgiving and in control I feel.

What I Want you to Know

My experience with anxiety is unique to me, and it doesn’t reflect how I help others. What I’ve been through gives me a deep level of compassion, but I never use my own journey as a guide for my clients—because they are the experts in their own lives. I understand how overwhelming anxiety can feel, but I also know that there are ways to manage it and regain a sense of control. I also know that you are not broken. Anxiety is not a personal failing. And there is so much you can do to take back control once you start understanding yourself in a whole new way.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. I see you, and I understand how overwhelming anxiety can feel.

This is why I do what I do—why I share my story, why I write, and why I believe that when we truly understand ourselves, everything shifts. When you take the time to truly know yourself, the world changes in ways you never imagined.

If you want to explore this more, you can find free resources, insights, and tools on my website. You can also connect with me on Facebook, where I share conversations and tips on managing anxiety and building self-worth. And if you’re ready to dive deeper, my book is there to support you on your journey. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.