I’ve noticed a lot of people doing then and now comparison from 2016 to 2026. It made me think of ten years earlier 2006. It was a turning point in my life.

An accumulation of events brought me to my knees.

My doctor detected an anomaly with my wee 8 month old baby – a possible hole in her heart.

My other wee girl had scarlet fever.

My husband had a solar keratosis on his nose.

I was unfairly charged £1000 by a car company.

I had a lump in my breast.

My husband got caught speeding – over 100 mph = automatic ban (he was a field sales agent and drove for a living).

I was working as a mobile beauty therapist when the girls were in bed.

My anxiety was sky high.

I was exhausted.

I was unsupported.

I was blamed.

I knew my marriage was over.

I was encouraged to take responsibility for things that weren’t mine to carry.

My friend told me children needed both parents together so I battled on for a further 4 years.

My Gran helped me by buying a bigger house for us so I could work from home. But it still wasn’t enough.

I collapsed under the pressure.

I eventually ended my marriage.

The narrative was manipulated and rewritten to make others look good. 

Lies upon lies were told.

Even years later, I’ve seen how narratives can be twisted in ways that deeply hurt the children.

Years upon years I spent trying to figure it all out. To prove myself. To earn love.

What a waste.

Over the years I’ve had therapy with a psychologist, EMDR therapy, support from Women’s Aid, specialist support with my daughter following the turmoil of lockdown. It all mattered. All of it helped.

But what finally brought calm and confidence was learning to turn inward  to meet myself with compassion rather than criticism.

Through understanding my inner world and offering care to the parts of me that learned early on to cope alone, something shifted.

This work didn’t erase the past  but it gave me peace with it.

And now, I get to support others coming through difficult times through my therapies and coaching. I’m truly honoured.