Holding space in vulnerability

Embracing Authenticity: My Journey with Anxiety, Depression, and Holding Space

Have you ever felt like you weren’t 'healed enough' to help, guide and support others? I get it, I used to feel that too. Quite strongly in fact. But here’s what I’ve learned about authenticity in healing and holding space…

I believe in being completely candid about my journey in tending to myself—especially when anxiety comes to visit. My own experiences with depression, anxiety, and burnout led me to this work, and I strive to be as authentic as possible in sharing my story. How Circle work has led me to meeting myself so deeply while being held, fully seen and witnessed (yes it was really challenging and uncomfortable at first). How I started to practice conscious movement such as Yoga and Qigong, trying out so many different modalities and schools, just to have some relief from the deep anxiety I was experiencing on a daily basis. How learning my Human Desing has invited me into self-acceptance in unexpected ways. And so much more.

I remember feeling this deep urge to offer this work. To be of Service in this way. And yet I kept questioning “Why me?” and “Who am I to be doing this?”. How naïve and a bit selfish of me to even have thought that :) (and that is ok, I love those parts too). This work… is so important, so needed, so beautiful. It goes beyond me and yet wants to be manifested through me, exactly as I am. How could I expect to hold other humans and not allow myself to be human too? How could I forget that every human, including myself, is divine too?

So now, I hold space for others navigating similar challenges, offering different tools such as Qigong, Circle, Human Design, Kindrêd, and other beautiful tools and practices to support healing and self-discovery. I witness and listen to others the way I yearned to have been too for so long, as so many humans do. And in doing so, and making this a lifelong practice and embodiment, I’ve built a life where this is my reality, without even knowing I was doing so, by attending my first class or sitting for my first Circle. Because this work is simply acknowledging our core needs of being in community, being seen, held, witnessed and accepted as we are.

I am a guide, facilitator, and teacher—not a guru, and not above anyone. For years, I felt unqualified to lead because I never felt "healed enough." But now, I understand that true healing isn’t about reaching some elusive perfect state—it's about continuously showing up for ourselves and others. I hold space for others, and I also hold space for myself. In fact, as I’ve said before, one of the foundations of my own practice and healing journey has been on learning how to hold myself, including the parts that feel guilty, shameful, heavy, or simple less than.

The Fallacy of "Being Fully Healed"

This belief—that we must be "fully healed" before sharing our gifts—prevents so many beautiful souls from stepping into their purpose. Yes, integrity in facilitation, holding space, and teaching is essential. Yes, I must be capable of supporting others and to honour my capacity too. But it is equally true that I don’t need to have it "all together" to do this work. Seriously, what even is that?

My teacher and mentor, Gemma, once shared a profound truth about authenticity in holding space:

"Share from the scar, not from the wound."

I still carry tender places within me, and that makes me human. But rather than letting that hold me back, I embrace my vulnerability. This work is about co-creation, connection, and authenticity—not perfection.

I am not more or less than you. I am here with you.

And if this touches your heart and you’re ready to be held, check out the options here ♡