Let me introduce myself. I’m Emma and I suffered from depression.
At my lowest point I was crying in Sainsbury’s over the choice of chicken (too many options), getting a really naff tattoo (don’t make me show it) and being prescribed anti-depressants to treat my acute levels of stress. Fun times.
But how did I end up there and, more importantly, how did I get to where I am now?
On paper, my life was perfect. I traveled, had a great career, and a supportive family. I lived in a lovely home with a great man and my two children.
Then, a few years ago, I hit a rough patch. A very rough patch. I felt like I was skidding head first across gravel with all my soft bits exposed.
No matter which way I turned life chaffed, scratched, scraped and left me raw.
I cried a lot. I shouted a lot.
I resented the kids, hated my business. My husband was bearable as he refrained from rolling his eyes when I took up the whole 'crying over everything' habit.
I felt exhausted but my mind wouldn’t let up. It was full of lists. Things I hadn’t got done, things I needed to do and things I needed to think of that were coming up.
I would play over my failures, guilt eating away at me, my inner critic was on fire and relished her role of chief Emma beater.
I began to question the point of it all? Was this really my life? Fear, anger, sadness and guilt. Was this it?
Why wasn’t I happy when I had so much to be happy about?
That’s when I realised that no matter what was happening around me, where I lived, what I did, who I was with - the real secret to my happiness was on the inside.
In my head to be precise.
I studied, researched, attended courses and embarked on many adventures to find the happiness within myself.
And it worked! I am happy (Woo-hoo). I can, hand on heart, say that I enjoy my life. I can even just about cope with the school run and traffic jams. Go me.
I found the awesome in myself again and, it may sound corny, but that is kind of awesome.
I worked it out. I know the answers and I now want to tell you all about it (I’m an over-sharer what can I say). I want to help you get your head in a good place so that you can pass go and collect your awesome without all the going to jail and crying over chicken in Sainsburys stuff.
Come on, jump in, book me. Let me show you how to get sorted and get awesome.
Enjoy!
PS No naff tattooing required