I BELIEVED PERFECTIONISM WOULD SAVE ME. 

For as long as I can remember, I believed perfectionism was the key to success, acceptance, and worth. If I could just work harder, achieve more, and never make a mistake, I could avoid criticism, rejection, and disappointment. 

I lived to take care of everyone else - my family, friends, and colleagues came before my needs.  I wouldn't allow myself to slow down or show weakness, even as I was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders.  But behind the scenes, I was exhausted, anxious, and stuck in an endless cycle of self-doubt and overachievement. No matter how much I accomplished, it never felt like enough. I was running on empty, afraid that if I ever stopped, everything would fall apart.   

And then came the moment that changed everything.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. It was my ‘aha’ moment—the one that forced me to face the reality I had been avoiding. No amount of perfection, overworking, or people-pleasing could save me from the truth: I had spent my life chasing an illusion of control, only to realize that I was completely lost in the process.

I had a choice: continue living in fear and pressure, or finally let go and reclaim my life on my terms.

Through that journey, I learned that my worth was never tied to my achievements. That rest, joy, and self-compassion weren’t indulgences but necessities. That my identity wasn’t defined by what I did but by who I was at my core. I stopped living for external validation and started building a life rooted in authenticity, peace, and fulfillment.

Now, I help other women break free from the same cycle. I know the weight of perfectionism and burnout because I’ve lived it. And I also know what it takes to rewrite the story—to step out of the pressure, embrace imperfection, and finally live a life that is truly yours.

Because perfectionism won’t save you. But learning to be yourself—fully and unapologetically—will.