I didn’t realize how violent my inner world had become until I noticed how tired I was all the time. Not tired from doing too much. Tired from bracing. From correcting myself mid-thought. From never letting myself land. For a long time, I believed that being hard on myself was necessary. That it kept me sharp. That if I stayed critical enough, I could outrun shame. I thought pressure was protection. But the body always tells the truth first. Rest felt uncomfortable. Joy felt temporary. Peace felt unfamiliar. That’s what happens when the voice you live with the most is harsh. You don’t heal in that kind of environment. You just learn how to survive inside it. One day it became painfully clear — I had become the very voice I once needed protection from. Healing didn’t begin when I tried to silence that voice. It began when I stopped letting it lead. When I realized I didn’t need to conquer myself — I needed to stand with myself. Now, when that inner critic shows up, I don’t fight it. I don’t shame it. I don’t argue with it. I simply choose not to let it drive anymore. I create a little space. I choose a steadier voice. One that speaks with responsibility instead of punishment. I speak to myself the way I would someone I’m committed to protecting. There is something powerful about becoming safe to yourself. Not confident. Not perfect. Safe. And once I stopped fighting myself, something softened. My nervous system learned it could rest. And from that place, life began to open again.

This space was created for women who carry a lot—responsibility, ambition, expectations—and are ready to become more emotionally grounded without losing who they are. Anchored isn’t about fixing yourself or rushing the healing process. It’s about slowing down, telling the truth, and growing from a place of steadiness instead of pressure. Here, we’ll focus on reflection, self-awareness, faith, and honest conversation. You don’t need to perform, explain, or have it all figured out to belong here. My hope is that this becomes a place where you feel supported, challenged in the right ways, and reminded that growth doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. I’m really glad you’re here. — Shanda