Catastrophe Before Triumph - My Journey to Holistic Self-Care

By Sola Onitiri

Growing into my highest and greatest good

I didn’t hatch like this.

I want to make that abundantly clear before we get going.

Oftentimes, people look at healers, yogis, or wellness coaches as people who emerged from nowhere with handfuls of love and light. Ethereal, pragmatic, and perfect.

I used to think that way. But it wasn’t until I started my Holistic Self-Care journey that I realized that my “Perfect Wellness Healer” trope was actually a limiting belief I was placing on myself.

Attributing perfection with wellness meant that I could never participate in it because I was so deeply flawed. So I ignored that line of questioning while the world around me began to cave in. And as the last shred of light left my life, I realized that I had a choice - stay trapped or save myself. You can probably guess which one I chose,

Then

Now

I’ve always joked that I was a hat person. And as such, I’ve worn many hats across many different industries such as fashion, wellness, art, food, and hospitality.

In all of those positions, It’s been my pleasure to support businesses and individuals alike understand their missions and build their brands.

Whether it was creating digital content for brands like Warby Parker or Neutrogena or training staff and creating comprehensive manuals for successful restaurants; I’ve been in the business of helping people cultivate their authentic truths for over 8 years.

Unfortunately, that work didn’t come without a price. Despite loving what I did, I was stuck in a cycle of overworking and under-taking-care of myself.

I was chronically stressed to the point of memory loss. Unbelievably fatigued to the point of depression. And engaging in toxic escapism via unhealthy foods, habits, and relationships.

It didn’t matter if I was working for myself or for others. I just couldn’t escape a cycle that left me a depleted shell of the vibrant person I knew I could be.

So I did what any sane person would do. I went to therapy. And although I fully believe in its use and may utilize it for myself down the road, It didn’t do anything for me. It left me feeling more guarded and separated from myself.

It wasn’t until I unpacked who I truly was, through journaling and spirituality, that I was able to begin my journey.

---

---

My healing began when I started to craft a routine and adopt rituals that prioritized my happiness, my growth, and my desires.

Translation? I started to give a damn about myself.

I set boundaries at work to eliminate burnout - something I had been terrified of doing due to a childhood of relying on outside validation to seem worthy.

I went from a size 14 to a size 8 by rekindling my love of cooking and finally breaking past my aversions to fitness.

I began meditating every day - something I thought I couldn’t do due to my ADHD.

For the first time in my life I started to feel beautiful, powerful, magical, in control, and ready to actually go after my dream life.

When I started this platform many years ago, I would’ve told you that this was a fashion platform through and through. But after a virtual walk down memory lane, I realized that bringing women towards their Holistic Self-Care journey is in the fabric of who I am, and what I do - even if I didn’t have the words for it.

So no, I didn’t hatch this way.

It’s been (and will continue to be) a journey of discovery. Of triumph and of catastrophe. But now, I have the knowledge, the understanding, and the tools to Be My Own Icon.

And I want that for you as well. I want to help you start your Holistic Self-Care journey because I know what it’s like to give up on yourself and your dreams. I want to help you start your Holistic Self-Care journey because I know that self-love is self-preservation. I know that self-love is POWER.

But I also know that you won’t get there without a push in the right direction.

And I would love to be that push for you. If you’re interested in my work as a Holistic Self-Care Guide and Routine builder please click the button below. I’d love to chat with you about how you can Be Your Own Icon.

---

I talk a little bit more about my journey on this YouTube video - go check it out!

More Like this

#Same