When Stress Speaks

Stress.

It’s a word we throw around often, but few of us truly understand the depth of its impact – especially on our bodies.

Over the years, I’ve learned that stress isn’t just a feeling. It’s a signal. It’s the body’s cry for attention, and when ignored for too long, it can manifest in ways that are hard to ignore – illness, fatigue, flare-ups, and more.

During my journey with somatic healing, I was introduced to a practice that changed everything for me: tracing symptoms back to life events. What was happening emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually at the time the body began to break down?

It was eye-opening.

For most of my life, I bottled things up. I didn’t want to make a fuss. I strived for peace at any cost – even if that meant abandoning my own needs. I became the classic people-pleaser, always trying to keep everyone happy, even if I was hurting inside.

That behaviour, I now realise, was something I learned early on. Be the good girl. Don’t rock the boat. Smile, even when it hurts.

And yet, in that quiet suppression, something beautiful still grew: deep empathy, gentleness, kindness. Traits I treasure. But I’ve learned that these qualities don’t have to come at the expense of my health or truth.

Through deep inner work, I now see myself more clearly – flaws and all – and I embrace the process of learning, healing, and evolving. It’s a fascinating journey. One that brings me closer to peace and fulfilment with every step.

When Stress Comes Knocking

Recently, I went through one of life’s major stressors – moving house. It’s said to be right up there with the death of a loved one, divorce, major illness, and job loss. And while I haven’t experienced the loss of a loved one or divorce, I have navigated serious illness, job loss, and now, a house move – all within the past two years.

And yet… this time, the experience was different.

Yes, I still had to pack, clean, and organise. But this time, I had something powerful on my side: tools. Tools I’ve gathered through my healing. Practices I’ve cultivated. And above all, a mindset shift that changed everything.

Every time stress started to creep in, I made a choice: not today.

I reminded myself that this was temporary. That I was literally moving forward. I didn’t even say “I’m stressed” out loud – I didn’t want to give those words power. I refused to let stress take the wheel.

Instead, I paused. I breathed. I asked for help when I needed it. I sought understanding instead of spiralling. I gave myself moments to regroup, organise, and move from intention, not reaction. And it worked. The move was smooth. I stayed grounded. My body stayed calm. No flare-ups. No breakdowns.

Home, Healing, and Energy

Now, I’m settling into my new space. It feels light, calm, and filled with possibility. I’m cleaning, organising, and bringing joy into each room. I want this home to be a place that loves us back – so I’m diving into the art of Feng Shui, exploring how energy flows through our spaces and impacts our well-being.

Because I truly believe that stress doesn’t have to own us. We can acknowledge it, understand it, and still choose peace.

We can heal. And we can thrive.