I was a worried, shy & 'sensitive' child

As a child I 'played small' and felt 'less than'. I worried about upsetting others, of what others thought of me and of being judged. I was scared of getting things wrong and being told off. I felt like no matter how hard I tried, nothing I did was ever quite ‘good enough’. I was self conscious, embarrassed and self critical. I was overcome by shyness and felt I couldn't partake in school trips or go to friends' sleepovers. I developed a belief I was just too shy, too 'sensitive' and too emotional.

This lack of confidence and self worth grew as I grew. As an adult it impacted my life choices and decisions. I chose a university close to home, it prevented me from travelling and working abroad and it limited the type of jobs I applied for. Ultimately, it meant that I entertained unhealthy romantic relationships too, including a 24 year marriage.

A Moment of Clarity

The moment of clarity came when that marriage ended abruptly.

It was then that I began to reflect on how little confidence I actually had. Yes, on the outside, I presented as a confident, functioning wife, busy mum and teacher but the end of my marriage shone a completely different light on my entire life. It illuminated areas I had shut away and ignored for many years.

I realised that I had been a people-pleaser for the majority of my life and made a vow to find myself and cultivate the confidence I needed to live the life I always wanted.

My Journey to Confidence

As I began my journey to self confidence and self worth, I re-trained as a mental health and emotional wellbeing practitioner. I learned coping skills, healthy strategies and helpful techniques that helped me as well as the families I worked with.

I drew parallels with the children I had taught in schools; the shy ones, the angry ones, the emotionally overwhelmed ones, the high achieving anxious ones and I realised something profound; they were all on the same path that I had walked as a child.

I witnessed a desperate need for confidence boosting support in childhood to safeguard mental health and emotional wellbeing for their future lives.

My Mission

I had to unlearn many things as an adult to become the woman I am today. As much as I am so glad I went through this process, I know that it can be avoided for your child! And that's why I have made it my mission to empower parents to help their children find their inner confidence and gain their independence now, BEFORE it impacts their teenage years and adulthood, as it did mine.

I know that by addressing inner confidence issues in childhood we will not only create a better, happier childhood but future generations who will be healthier and more at peace with themselves and who they truly are.