So what is “silent stress”? It’s generally defined as the subtle, accumulated – and often unnoticed – tension that can build up as a result of the stressful things in life. Bottled up emotions… financial difficulties… over-work… health issues… or just being super-busy. The problem is that unlike a major breakdown or obvious overwhelm, it quietly creeps in under our radar.
We hear a lot about setting boundaries. “Protect your time.” “Say no.” “Set firm limits.” But let’s be honest… “Big boundaries” advice doesn’t always translate well into our real daily life. Enter: Micro-Boundaries
Forty episodes ago, I thought I was starting a podcast. Turns out, I was unknowingly practising exposure therapy. In this post, I share what happens when you repeatedly face fear, why being seen feels so threatening to the brain, and how showing up - imperfectly - can quietly build confidence, resilience, and self-trust over time.
For many of us, people-pleasing goes beyond being a habit. It’s an inherited survival strategy. Maybe it was shaped by family dynamics. Perhaps through cultural messaging. And it’s often associated with attachment patterns and nervous system conditioning. Kindness is a beautiful thing. But people-pleasing is not the same as kindness.
Self-sabotage isn’t a character flaw. It’s a learned survival strategy. And it might not be what you think.
Let’s talk about that voice. The one that shows up when you’ve made a mistake… when you’re thinking about trying something new… or out of nowhere, while you’re brushing your teeth and remember an uncomfortable conversation that happened three days ago.