High-Functioning. High-Pressure. Completely Dysregulated.

There was a season where, on paper, I looked like I was thriving, and by most metrics - I was!

I was leading projects. Supporting clients. Holding space for teams. Creating, designing, mentoring — doing meaningful work that mattered deeply to me.

And yet, behind the scenes, my body was quietly unravelling.

My shoulders were permanently tight. My breath sat high in my chest. I woke up tired even after a full night’s sleep. Brain fog crept in where clarity used to live. My nervous system felt constantly “on edge,” scanning for the next problem to solve, the next person to support, the next crisis to navigate - although I didn’t know any of the language to identify this, or even that this was ‘a thing’!

I told myself it was normal.