16 Comments
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Stacy's avatar

Nailed it on the head, Chloe. Definitely felt like this most of my life. I will say running away to Sweden has it's benefits too 😉

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Thanks so much for this, Stacy. Glad it’s resonated. I bet you’re finding so much magic out there in Sweden - the best people I know did the same thing 😘

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Jenny Dixon's avatar

If we let it, adversity can be a teacher. Not only to us ourselves but for others too. Makes you a sort of lighthouse. 🙏

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Totally agree, and totally love this, Jenny. Think there’s a gift in all things, if we look hard enough 🧡 thank you.

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Emily's avatar

This is so important and really touched me. Living in a shared house with 5 strangers and an office job I didn't love gave me tingling in my hands and feet, as well as chronic migraines. Now I have moved back to my hometown and started rituals of yoga, sea swimming, and walking down to the beach every day. Pukka night time tea has helped a great deal too! Thank you for writing such a relatable piece, particularly for young women navigating the world to feel a little less alone.

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Wow, thanks so much for sharing this, Emily. Sounds far from easy, but I'm glad you've found some magic back in your home town again. I think the sea is also a brilliant healer. Thanks for reading, I'm so glad this resonated with you 🧡

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Twisted Willow Wellness's avatar

Same. I was a therapist helping others heal while quietly falling apart myself. It took breaking down to realize: healing can’t just be cognitive. It has to live in the body, the rhythms, the relationships.

I started regulating without knowing—baking, walking, resting, laughing. That was the real work.

The system needs to change. Coping skills aren’t enough. We need care that’s honest, embodied, and actually sustainable. - Corinne

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Love this, Corinne. The baking, walking, resting, laughing... it's so wonderful that our bodies sort of force us to regulate in these ways. And even more when we become aware of that. It's like a super humble super power! Thanks for sharing this 🧡

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Saved by Grace's avatar

I found this so helpful and it changed the way I think. Since having a 'breakdown' in 2018, I've spent a lot of time believing I'd never been anxious and dysregulated before, when I now understand I've been dysregulated my entire life. Reading this post reminded me that (going forward) I can focus not on trying to get back to how I used to be, but choosing regulation in every part of my life. The shift in mindset has changed my perception and I'm so grateful to you, thank you 😊 Karen

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Chloe Markham's avatar

This is wonderful, Karen. Not the breakdown, not the anxiety or dysregulation, but your awareness and shift in mindset. This is SUCH a big deal! So glad this post helped you get there. Thank you for reading, and thank you for sharing so openly. You’re not alone 🧡

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Anna Rose's avatar

This sounds so familiar. I suffered from excruciating panic attacks in my late teens and twenties. It wasn’t a ‘thing’ back then so I was treated as an anomaly ‘what’s wrong with her’, I even lost friends through it too. And now in my late thirties I realise my nervous system needed soothing, and it actually only needed some guidance. Hurrah to having that deep understanding now because I get to make courageous leaps while also knowing her to nurture my body as it feels the fear. Thank you Chloe this was great!

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Eesh, I’m so with you, Anna. It’s brutal! And frustrating that we didn’t have these tools or insights back then. Better late than never, and I’m so glad to be connected with you through this stuff 🧡

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M.M. Joyner's avatar

I appreciate this perspective, this is an honest expression of what physical anxiety feels like. Thank you for writing this!

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Chloe Markham's avatar

Thanks, Miriah - I’m so glad it resonated! 🧡

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Dawna Kreis | Walking With You's avatar

I totally FELT this as I read through it. Thank you for this, Chloe. It is helping give me the language to express what I experienced for much of my life and to a lesser - but still a significant - degree at times. 🥰

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Chloe Markham's avatar

SO glad it resonated, Dawna! Thanks for your comment. You’re not alone 🧡

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