Rooted, Not Broken: My Journey to Stronger Foundations
Looking back, before my breakdown, I was living in survival mode — and had been for many years.
Life was busy and stressful. I had a young child, an unpredictable partner, no money, and I was building my Kleeneze business while doing anything else I could to bring in a few extra pounds each week.
I knew I was struggling. But firstly, I didn’t feel like I had a choice — I had to keep going. And secondly, I had no idea how to break the cycle.
In hindsight, I believe my breakdown was my body saying, “Enough. You need to make some changes. You can’t keep going like this.”
When Everything Slowed Down
Ironically, it happened at a time when my life had become much more settled. I’d finally left that rocky relationship a couple of years earlier, and although things were still financially difficult, I was now with a wonderful, supportive partner.
Being bed bound with anxiety and depression was incredibly tough. But it also gave me space — space to stop, reflect, and really take stock of my life.
That was the beginning of my personal growth.
Building My Foundations
I won’t go into the details here of everything I did to move forward — I share a lot more in other blogs and on social media. Please feel free to connect with me if you’re curious or in need of support.
What I will say is this: the daily practices I put in place — my “daily positive habits” — became the solid ground I could return to whenever life got tough. They’ve been the foundation that has helped me weather many storms.
And here’s the thing:
You might be thinking, “Well, I don’t have anxiety or depression, so I’m okay.”
And if that’s the case — I’m really glad.
But in my opinion, strong personal foundations are essential for everyone.
Because That’s Life
Whether or not you’ve struggled with mental health, there will be times in life that shake you:
Grief, stress, self-doubt, a loss of confidence, heartbreak, big changes, uncertainty.
How do I know that?
Because that’s just part of being human.
Any one of those things can impact your emotional and mental wellbeing. They can knock you off track, make you question yourself, and change the way you think, feel, or behave.
But with strong foundations in place, you’re better able to notice when you’re struggling — and more importantly, to know what to do next.
The Tree
There’s a tree I pass often — my favourite tree.
Its strength comes not from what you can see above the ground, but from what’s happening underneath.
A strong root system that takes in what it needs — without overthinking, without guilt.
It stands tall because its foundations are solid.
That tree doesn’t compare itself to the others in the field.
It’s not worried about what they think.
It simply stands. Steady. Present. Rooted.
I like to think that’s how I’ve learned to live, and what I now help other women create for themselves.
Standing Tall, Being You
If your foundations are strong, even when the storms of life bend you a little, you can still stand tall and stay rooted in who you are.
You can:
Feel confident in taking what you need, without guilt
Surround yourself with the people who light you up
Wake up each day feeling grounded and open to what the day brings
Live a life that feels aligned and fulfilling
That tree… I really think I need to name him! Any ideas? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Are You Ready to Strengthen Your Roots?
Can you imagine waking up each day feeling steady, confident, and free to just be?
If you’re feeling the pull to build those strong inner foundations — or if life’s been testing your strength lately — I’d love to support you.
You can reach out to me on social media or drop me an email at anne@naturallyyouwithanne — whatever feels easiest for you.
Thank you so much for reading.
Have a beautiful day.
With love,
Anne-Marie x
