A Story of Hope

I have always been an anxious person. Within the last years of high school I ended up experiencing panic attacks and anxiety episodes. It wasn’t until my second year of nursing studies I ended up having to go on medications to help regulate my panic attacks.

In 2017, I experienced the trauma that comes with the loss of my best friend who was my whole world. She was like a big sister to me, even though I only knew her for 2.5 years. We got along extremely well and her death hit me very hard. It took me more than 12 months to heal mentally and even longer spiritually.

I also am having to live with the knowledge that I may have a chronic skin disorder that can cause painful scars and sores, which has caused huge anxiety over the past year. Knowing that stress is one of the triggers, I am having to learn how to manage stress in different ways such as:

• Taking my beloved dog for a walk

• Knowing what I can and cannot control

• Keeping up with my running and cycling

• Going outdoors on my bike with cycling and hiking in nature

• Prioritising my health and self-care

I hope to share this so other young women out there with chronic conditions know that you can reach for the moon and even land on the stars.