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Two years ago, I found the right therapist after trying to work through my burnout solo for many years. I stepped into those sessions carrying grief, old wounds, and deep questions about who I truly was, how my neurodiversity shows up and what I could do about my low self-esteem. Now, as I prepare for my final session with said therapist, I’m reflecting on a journey shaped by difficult conversations, raw self-reflection, and finally expressing feelings I had long buried.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned? The power of being witnessed—fully, without judgement. In facing my past, including experiences of abandonment and partner abuse, I saw how unresolved pain quietly shapes how we show up for those around us.
At times, it was confronting—realising how easily we can pass our struggles down to our children without meaning to. But I’ve also discovered how healing creates ripples: when we do our own work, space opens for those around us to grow. Relationships deepen, boundaries become easier to hold, dreams feel within reach, and life softens.
Mental Health and Workplace Culture
This moment in my life has taught me that caring for our mental health isn’t just personal—it’s collective. Workplaces often turn toxic when unhealed wounds show up as projection—poor communication, micromanagement, or bullying. Self-awareness isn’t just a personal asset; it’s vital for healthy teams and inclusive leadership. When we do our inner work, we create professional spaces rooted in empathy, authenticity, and trust.
I now see myself more clearly—how I show up, how I hold space, and how I nurture connection. I’ve grown as a facilitator, learning when to lead, when to listen, when to hold back, what my tiggers are - and how they turn up in my body and how to navigate complexity with care and clarity.
Now, as our whānau heads to Spain for seven months (remote working & worldschooling), leaving our 20-year-old to carve her own path at university, Dani (my partner) and I get to live what we’ve learnt in a whole new way. It’s both exciting and daunting, but it feels right.
As I said, healing isn’t a solo act—it’s a ripple that reaches families, workplaces, and communities. When we face our own stories, we judge less and connect more. We move through the world with greater intention.
If you’re looking for coaching, mentoring, or facilitation that centers connection, self-awareness and authenticity let’s connect.
Reach me at interculturalconnections.net.
As L.R. Knost says:
"Tell your story. Shout it. Whisper it if you have to. But tell it. Some won't understand. Some will reject it. But many will thank you. And then the most magical thing will happen. One by one, voices will whisper, 'Me, too.' And your tribe will gather. And you will never feel alone again."
