The moment that shaped me

Almost every little girl just wants to be a ballerina. It’s the dream, the pink, the tutu, the pointers, the feeling of twirling gracefully, and for many of us, it shapes our identity before we even realize it.

I remember so clearly the first time I felt the sting of not being chosen. I was five years old, standing in my little ballet shoes, waiting for my turn. When the teacher announced who would move on to the next class, my name wasn’t called.

Why? Because I couldn’t do one dance “perfectly.”

At that age, the message I absorbed wasn’t just “not this time.” It felt like “you’re not good enough.” Somewhere deep inside, I made a vow: don’t even try, because not being chosen hurts too much.

Later in school, it happened again. Not chosen for the netball team. Not chosen for the choir. Each moment carved a deeper story: wait until someone else decides you’re worthy.

Fast forward years later, as an adult, I started to notice how this story had followed me into my life, my health, my decision making (or lack thereof), everything! I was simply waiting... waiting to be ready, waiting to be chosen, waiting for someone else to go first so I could feel safe.

But here’s the truth: if you wait to feel ready or wait for someone to choose you, it might never happen. And I don’t want to live a life filled with regrets.

So I flipped the script. I began to choose myself.

One powerful moment was during my first ice bath session. I could have waited to see how others did it, but I knew if I did, my mind would get in the way. So I stepped in first - scared, shaking, but determined. And you know what? It was exhilarating.

That was one of my big turning points. I realized going first isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being willing to move despite the fear, to experience life directly for yourself.

This is how it's ALL connected

In my own healing journey - with autoimmune struggles, gut issues, anxiety, weight gain, and now navigating perimenopause, I’ve learned that waiting for the “perfect plan” or the “perfect time” only prolongs the suffering.

Your body doesn’t need perfection. It needs partnership. It needs you to be willing to listen, try, and adjust.

Hormones don’t thrive under hesitation. They respond to consistent signals of safety, nourishment, and self-trust. When you take the step... whether it’s changing your food, managing stress, or simply resting, you tell your body:

I choose you. Again and again!

You are the hero of your own story!

This isn’t about me. This is about you.

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready… waiting for the right diet, the right doctor, the right season of life… please hear me: you don’t have to wait to be chosen.

You get to choose yourself, today!

Will it feel scary? Yes.

Will you doubt yourself? Probably.

But just like that little girl in ballet shoes, your identity is waiting to be rewritten, not as someone overlooked, but as someone who gets to goes first, who shows up, who chooses joy and health in the face of fear.

No more outsourcing your power

Healing my body, mind, and spirit has come from no longer outsourcing that choice. And every time I see another woman step into her power, whether it’s in her health, her business, her hormones, or her life, I see the ripple effect of courage... because it's always larger than we can even imagine!

So here’s my encouragement: don’t wait. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait to feel ready. Don’t wait to be chosen.

✨ You go first.

And if you don’t know where to start, DM me - I’ll show you how you can begin. Because you don’t have to do this alone. But you get to be the author of our story.

With love and grace,

Karin xx

Founder of Anavah Living

Holistic Hormone & Life Coach