Hypnotherapy by Michele Knott Simey

My Story

For so many years I stumbled through life...

I’m sure some of you have felt exactly like that. I’ve always worked with people, either in education or out in the wider community. I’ve always wanted to be of use, to help others to feel good about themselves. Somewhere along the way I lost me.

As a family we had a couple of personal tragedies that certainly knocked us for six. I was suddenly orphaned as an adult and became the eldest member of my family. I definitely was not ready for this! At around the same time I also started to go through the menopause. I felt completely alone, thought I was going crazy and started to have panic attacks. I tried very hard to put my personal feelings to one side, which culminated in me having a complete mental breakdown. I was not looking after myself. I couldn’t sleep, I was permanently anxious, I was depressed when I thought about the past and terrified when I thought about the future. I couldn’t eat properly, just the odd snack, so I lost weight and became quite unhealthy. I stayed indoors when I should have got some fresh air. I refused invitations when I actually needed my friends more than ever. I alienated people, I lost friends. I became closed to those I loved most. I was not me.

Gradually, very gradually, I started to feel better. It took time, a loving family, great friends, my dog, fresh air, a new job and new found strength from taking time out to look after me. I read, I slept, I meditated, I walked, I swam and I studied. I had this need to learn new things and I couldn’t get enough of expanding my mind. It felt like I had been “stuck” for years and now I was free.

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