EVERYTHING in Bridget Murphy’s life was aligning when suddenly, everything seemingly fell apart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bit-by-bit Bridget had to learn how to rebuild her life by slowing down and tuning in more to the present moment.
Creswick-raised Bridget wants to prevent anyone else from having to hit rock bottom, like she did, before being true to themselves and realising what matters most in life.
The high achiever and perfectionist had quickly risen through ranks into a leadership position at the primary school where she taught in Elsternwick. At 26, the Loreto College graduate was fiercely independent and checking off life goals.
Gradually, Bridget began to tire but kept pushing on. The day Bridget arrived at school and could not remember how she got there was the trigger to take some extended leave as she grappled to understand what was happening to her body.
There were days when she could not get out of bed and morning when her partner had to brush her hair. Pain was excruciating and there was no solid explanation.
A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis was only really a beginning.
Pathology was showing nothing wrong. Specialists were saying I should be running marathons, I was that healthy
“You get in such a deep pain cycle,” Bridget said. “It feels like you’ve got the worst flu, the worst hangover and you’ve just run a marathon all in one.
“When people saw me out, they really only saw the best me – I was running on adrenaline – but they didn’t see the me before or after.”
Holding high expectations on herself, meant people had high expectations of Bridget.
She buried herself in research, overwhelmed and frightened, on what to do to try and get better. Small improvements were quickly undone and made worse.
It took Bridget breaking her life into tiny pieces to clearly rebuild: Bridget had to learn how to trust herself.
“It got to the point where the bad days start to make the good days better, and you start to see the light,” Bridget said.
I had to focus on what I could do, not what I couldn’t do.
“I changed everything in my diet and lifestyle...My idea of success is really different now. So different.”
Bridget said chronic fatigue cases were so different but still predominantly a silent health issue. But, in telling her story, Bridget hoped it would give hope to others and at least encourage more people to slow more and appreciate little things in life.
Bridget is now a certified holistic health coach.
You can follow her on Instagram @thetruestyou and Facebook @thetruestyouhealthcoaching.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
