What is wrong with me?

One person I worked with described feeling as though they were ‘running a marathon every day before the day had even properly started.’ From the outside, life looked successful, but every conversation required effort, busy environments became exhausting and by the end of the day they had nothing left.

As we explored their experience together, we discovered something different. Their body had been working incredibly hard for a very long time.

The Problem Is not That You’re Weak

Many of the people I meet have spent years caring for others, or having to the responsible one, or self-sufficient, driving, pushing themselves to do their best. Holding everything together, pushing through and ignoring the signals their body has been sending. Eventually something changes not because they have become weaker, but because they have been strong for too long without enough opportunity to recover.

There Is More Right With You Than You Realise

Our minds and bodies are remarkable. They constantly work behind the scenes to help us survive. When life asks too much of us for too long, those protective systems can begin working overtime. You may notice difficulty concentrating, emotional numbness, irritability, exhaustion, loss of motivation or struggling to relax. These are often understandable responses to prolonged stress rather than evidence that something is fundamentally wrong with you.

Everyone’s Story Is Different

Some people have spent years adapting themselves to fit into environments that never quite felt comfortable. Some have always been the strong one. Some are carers, live with long-term health conditions, have experienced trauma or discrimination, or have simply been meeting impossible expectations. Understanding starts with your observing experience, holding still enough just to notice.