28/05/2026
I think one of the things I’ve become much more aware of over the years is how easily stress just quietly becomes normal. Not huge dramatic stress necessarily but life gradually speeding up.
Being busy, being needed, juggling a million things and always trying to stay six steps ahead...and because you’re capable, you push through and get on with life, not noticing what it’s doing to your body while it’s happening.
I remember years ago becoming aware of this strange pressure in my chest that was just there all the time. Eventually I realised it was anxiety.
But the odd thing was, I hadn’t noticed it arriving. I don’t remember there being a moment where I suddenly became anxious but it had obviously been building for a long time underneath everything else.
And now I understand myself much better, I know my pattern is often that I can cope brilliantly during stressful situations. I put my head down and get through whatever needs getting through. But afterwards? That’s when my nervous system catches up with me. Almost like a stress hangover.
I think so many people live like this now without really realising it. Tight shoulders become normal. Shallow breathing becomes normal. Poor sleep becomes normal. Running on adrenaline and caffeine becomes normal. Until eventually calm feels unfamiliar.
And honestly, that’s one of the reasons I care so much about the work I do now, because I know how much difference it makes when people finally breathe properly, soften a little, and realise how much tension they’ve been carrying.
Once you experience real calm again, you start wanting more of it.
