I had chronic pain, overwhelming anxiety, and I hated everything about myself. I was in an unhealthy relationship that I’d spent 8 years denying was abusive. Until one day when I had enough. Enough lying to myself. I made a bold decision that day that required me to break my own heart, end an 8-year relationship with someone I still loved, and face my own shit. I could no longer deny the role I was playing in the miserable accepted as love.

The phrase “a picture speaks a thousand words” never really resonated with me until I saw these two photos side by side. The photo of me in the purple sweater was taken just 4 months and 18 days after I left my relationship. I could have shared a professional headshot (which of course I’d look better in) but I want you to see how far you can come when you make the choice to choose yourself. I want you to see that anyone can develop the self-confidence necessary to create a happy fulfilling life.

When I made the decision to leave my toxic relationship it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’d gone back too many times to count so to help hold myself accountable I started to share my decision and the journey that followed on Facebook. Within a few days, messages were flowing in from women thanking me for sharing and asking me to please continue as they needed to hear my story.

I never imagined in the early days of my painful experience, that choosing myself and embarking on a self-love and understanding journey was empowering other women to do the same! I’ve taken the tools I discovered and learned through my experience and made them into a mission to continue to help, support and empower other women.

Whether you would like to join our private Facebook group of women supporting women, receive one on one live Zoom life coaching support, or just read the blog posts here on my website, I’m here to support and encourage you. You can reach out to me through the contact page or on Facebook.

I’m glad you’re here.

Jill Schmidt