Come with me, as I embark on an exciting journey, as I unveil the evolution of my new brand. Human at Heart marks a captivating new chapter where my roles as a therapist, supervisor, lecturer, woman, parent, and fellow traveller in life seamlessly converge. Together, we will delve into the realms of work, relationships, wellness, parenting, and conquering perfectionism amongst many other topics. Starting as a reinvention of my regular blog within, Fortitude Psychological Therapy & Consultancy, this project will take us down new avenues where I envisage the growth of new social media platforms, development of new free and paid offerings, and a new perspective from my experiences as not only a therapist but as a human being too!
As my business has grown over the past few years, I have spent much time scouring the vast landscape of possibilities to find my niche, this has become trickier as the business has diversified from providing therapy to supervision and training and there is as much focus on ‘wellness’ as ‘illness’ (growth which I am extremely thankful btw!). As I delved into various interests and considered the population that I serve it became impossible to pigeonhole my work into one group of people or one area of expertise. The realisation began to dawn on me that my niche is not a specific skill or subject, but rather a profound connection to my own humanity. In a world infatuated with trends, I have found that my most authentic and resonant voice began to emerge when I embraced the stories, emotions and experiences that have defined me as a human being. It is within the tapestry of my own life that I have become the finest version of my professional self because in my life are a vast array of relatable moments and universal truths, I have lived a life of many seasons. I recognise now, the power in vulnerability and the beauty of sharing one’s personal journey. My niche is not confined to an area of expertise or what I know but who I am and the boundless realm of my own humanness, which is exclusively and authentically me but profoundly relatable to others travelling their own paths in life.
The seismic shift towards me embracing all parts of my ‘messy self’ occurred when parenthood graced my life, forever altering my outlook and values, motherhood was the catalyst for change I needed. This monumental change not only reshaped my perspective but also ignited a profound transformation in my career, from someone dedicated too and serving in the armed forces to someone who yearned for something more flexible and innovative. As the compass of my aspirations shifted, I found myself leaving behind previously ingrained, unrelenting high standards and drawn to new horizons, driven by the desire to create a more compassionate, inclusive, and wide-ranging offer that reaches everyone who needs it.
I have personally walked the terrain of perfectionism, witnessing the toll it took on my life. The pursuit of flawlessness led me down a path fraught with anxiety, burnout, and an unrelenting fear of failure. However, through introspection, growth, my own therapy, and a lot of hard work. I've begun to untangle the grip of perfectionism, discovering the liberating power of embracing imperfections and using my humanity to improve the lives of other people. I like to think of myself now as a recovering perfectionist, whilst those tendencies remain and at times the pull to return to it are strong, I am a work in progress moving away from this unhealthy way of living my life.
Amidst all these shifts, one fundamental truth has become clearer than ever: I'm not a blank slate dispensing advice from an ivory tower. Instead, I stand before you as a fellow human being, navigating the complexities of life alongside you. My journey is one of continuous learning and growth, punctuated by moments of vulnerability and resilience, sorrow and joy.
Throughout my journey so far, I've encountered my fair share of adversity and challenges. Life's path hasn't always been smooth, but these experiences have moulded me into who I am today. I've weathered storms, faced uncertainty, and navigated through moments of doubt. Yet, I've discovered that these trials have ultimately guided me to where I'm meant to be. They've taught me the invaluable lesson that our struggles can sometimes be stimulus for growth, leading us toward our authentic selves. Don’t get me wrong there are things that happen in life that do not have a silver lining no matter how hard we try, that should simply not happen and leave us feeling broken into pieces. But we live and we continue to move through our lives, gathering up the pieces of our broken selves and putting things back together, sometimes this is the version of us that is the same as before and sometimes it is a version that looks entirely different.
In this journey of authenticity, I've had an epiphany: our individual stories are what make us unique, yet they also bind us together through our shared human experiences. While qualificationand credentials hold their place, there's a deeper, more profound story to tell beyond the lines of a CV. It's in this spirit that I'm excited to lift the mask, sharing the tapestry of my experiences, lessons, and challenges. By doing so, I hope to foster a sense of common humanity, where we learn, heal, and flourish together.
Central to this endeavour is my passion to guide and support others in uncovering their messy, authentic selves. I'm on a mission to help you embrace your uniqueness, to find comfort in the beauty of imperfection, and empower you to walk the path of self-discovery with newfound confidence. Together, we'll navigate the complexities of life, forging a community that celebrates our individuality, embracing the threads that connect us all deep within the human heart.