Dear Sanity and Soul-Seeking Superwoman

I know how purpose-driven you are, and how hard you’ve worked to create a career you care about, where you are making a difference. You’ve built with your own brain and two hands a lifestyle that shines with all that has ever been expected from you - the six-figure salary and title you’ve always dreamed of, the personally-styled wardrobe and home, the good manners, ethics and ability to smile through anything, fit in anywhere...On paper, you’ve achieved so much in so little time! Your parents are so proud! You tell everyone you’re so excited!

But I know you’re struggling behind that facade, feeling lost and directionless as your inner critic and increasingly unhealthy daily routine robs you from any enthusiasm about making moves on your own hobbies, desires, new relationships, new direction in life or career.

All you want is to be able to express and be yourself and still be respected and successful. To lose the racing mind and find the creative energy, community and purpose you know is hiding inside you and out in the world just waiting for your manifestation.

I know because I’ve been there, suffering from “high functioning anxiety and depression” at the top of the Fortune 500 career ladder at 29, never believing real happiness was in the cards for me and that I would be playing pretend my whole life, doing the never-ending doctor and meds dance and crying behind closed doors.

But today, since I’ve taken off my mask, gotten vulnerable and back to my real self, I am beyond happy and manage any anxiety that pops up with one of many perspective and mind-body relaxation tools I’ve perfected over the years - like reframing, journaling, mind mapping, doodling, meditation, EFT/tapping, talking with my own coach and properly stabilizing medication.

I spend real time with friends and family, am in a loving, committed relationship for the first time in a decade, and am giving my craft supplies an ongoing workout. I lost 40 pounds without dieting and am sleeping soundly ever since I was able to turn perma-flight/fight/freeze mode off. Every day now, I am “just Kate” with calm confidence - and it turns out she’s more remarkable than the perfect facade I had constructed.

I promise you - an honestly happy, well-rounded life is possible for you, as YOU, too! All you need to complete your hero’s story is a wise and encouraging mentor and your own combination of creative risk-management strategies and an action plan based in a vivid vision - which is where I come in!

Stop going it alone, wonder woman. I’m here for you, and so is your like-hearted and minded Kaptivate community.

#lessnetflixmoreaction #suckitstress #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #creativeconfidence #workingitwomen

Virtual hugs and hive fives,

Wellbeing Coach Kate Peabody, MBA and soon-to-be certified positive psychology mentor coach