Once in a while, yet not too often, we come across certain people that completely and utterly impact our lives. Aniela is one of those people for me.
I was in my 30s, feeling scared, alone and in desperate search of someone to help me out of my pain and darkness. The moment I found her articles online, I knew in my soul that she was the person I was looking for.
For more than 10 years, Aniela has walked along with me through my healing journey of emotional eating, body image issues, lack of self-confidence, panic attacks, anxiety and family trauma. And this was definitely no walk in the park (as it was extremely challenging, scary and painful at times) but a walk I will eternally be grateful to her!
Aniela was the first person to help me feel accepted exactly the way I was. She helped me feel heard and understood. All of these created a safe space for me where I could open my heart in order to understand my fears, my pain, my challenges. And once my heart was open, she was still there, present, aware, gentle and compassionate towards my feelings! And THAT was a gift, a blessing because I felt safe! I felt seen! I felt that I was able to bear my feelings no matter the amount of pain or fear I felt! And eventually that lead to A LOT of relief, transformation and even peace in certain aspects I managed to overcome. From compulsive eating to being able to truly enjoy food and take care of myself. From being terrified of panic attacks to being able to sit with my feelings, relax and let go. From not being able to talk without crying, to be able to sit with my feelings and have a mature, adult conversation. What is so easily being said in a few words were hours and hours of therapy, going through limited beliefs, pain and fear release – but never alone, always accompanied by the compassionate heart and wise mind that Aniela has to offer.
There are thousands and thousands of therapists (and thank God for so many people to do the hard work!) however to me Aniela is the one that meets all my needs. She is very well educated and experienced in psychology and CBT but even more, she sees with her heart, she is there for me as a person, she is very empathic, compassionate, and understanding! I feel that she knows but not just from books but from having been there. Besides that, she sees beyond the psychological aspects and lights the way through my spiritual journey, which to me is the meaning of life.
These are ones of the most valuable gifts I have received in life! To be encouraged to sit with the feelings and learn they are “just” feelings, and they won’t destroy me. To learn to challenge and change those beliefs that were limiting me. To be taught to trust life and the process. To value myself more and stop seeing myself “broken” and “defected”. To be able to sit enough in the darkness until I finally saw the light! To listen to my fears and understand that those were actually ways I protected myself with, as a child. All of these and so much more along this beautiful journey where Aniela was my mirror, my guide, my light, my shoulder to cry on and the loving heart that understood and saw me!
Infinite joy and gratitude for these gifts and a heartfelt wish that they reach out to more and more souls out there!