Meet Abi
I used to be a driven, reliable woman—working hard, playing hard, and always showing up for others.
I had a solid career in banking, a long-term partner, and a full social life. Always the last to leave the office, I got great feedback.
But what I didn’t realize was that my body was trying to tell me something: I was constantly getting viral infections in my twenties and needing time off sick. Something wasn’t right but I thought I was fine.
Then tragedy struck—I lost my brother in a fire. Like before, I tried to push through.
Not long after, I got promoted and got married, but the cracks were getting bigger. I started making basic mistakes at work, I wasn’t sleeping, and it took me longer to recover from viruses.
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When I finally left my job to travel, I got worse and never recovered. I just hadn’t recognized how much stress I was under.
My marriage buckled and eventually, the diagnosis of M.E. was given and I was terrified.
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I felt like my life was over. I tried everything—conventional medicine, alternative therapies—anything to get better, but nothing worked.
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After months in this dark place, I began to improve slowly and after meeting someone else, recovered, married again and had a child. But soon after, the symptoms returned with a vengeance.
Caring for my daughter while struggling with my health was incredibly tough. Then, after losing my father, things felt even harder and my body was buckling even more under the strain.
I was running on empty and crawling through each day. Being a new parent is hard enough with little sleep, let alone with an illness where the simplest of tasks is exhausting! The guilt and shame were immense.
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During a particularly bleak day, I had an epiphany and found clarity for the first time. I knew what I needed to do.
I then discovered an organisation called The Chrysalis Effect that believed in full recovery, and with their guidance, started to unpick the root causes of my illness and slowly improve.
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I began to rebuild my life, but this time it was different. I was creating a life that felt meaningful and true to who I was, not the life I thought I should be living.
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I learned to care for myself, prioritize my well-being, and create a more balanced life. I said no to things that didn’t serve me and re-evaluated my relationships—including the one with myself.
Slowly, my health improved, and I started feeling more confident, free, and at peace. Life isn’t perfect, and I still face challenges, but now I can let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace my imperfections.
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​Today, I use everything I’ve learned to help others who have been where I've been, showing them that there is a way to live a life that feels fulfilling and truly aligned with who they really are without burning out.
