Melissa is a Registered Nurse who has thirty-one years of nursing experience. After never having children and going through a difficult IVF journey for several years and the traumatic loss of her parents and now PTSD, burnout and menopause. Melissa lost control of her own life at the beginning of the covid pandemic after trying so hard to overcome emotional pain and PTSD. Losing close friends that were like parents, her job and unable to exercise due to chronic fatigue led to further anxiety, depression and burnout. Melissa finally hit rock bottom and had to start again. After a lot of resistance, shame and embarrassment she finally had no choice but to let go and accept what she has now.
Melissa was an endurance runner for five years on a huge runner high and even though she felt exhausted she had no desire to stop or change her identity. Forced to stop by chronic fatigue and burnout Melissa was confused why she had to give up nursing and running even though she felt tired and drained. Saying negative things and being critical about herself, drinking too much, thinking others were better than her and becoming withdrawn and less productive and could no longer be bothered with her life. Time at home to recover made Melissa become more aware and focused on what she needs and wants from her life now.
Learning not to expect and to overcome what she did not get has helped her to begin again reset and reflect and learn basic life skills such as to love herself and appreciate herself for who she is and what she has. Unemployed and no identity she started to write her own book about letting go of her past to find peace, happiness and the real Melissa. Unable to let go of suppressed and repressed emotions because she only knew how to be sad or happy and empathetic towards others, she slowly unravelled more emotions inside herself. Some negative feelings and beliefs causing inflammation and chronic pain and holding her back from being her true authentic self.
Writing has helped Melissa find her core beliefs and patterns that no longer serve her well and how and what she needed to change to set herself free and make her well again. It is only the beginning of a new journey, and it has all begun by opening her heart being kind to herself and letting go of her old story and beginning again with new boundaries and holding herself accountable for her actions.