Not in a dramatic, movie-scene kind of way…But in a quiet, unexpected moment where your body speaks louder than your mind ever could.
For me, that moment happened in a grocery store parking lot.
And today, I’m sharing it because it became part of something bigger than I ever imagined.
My story, “The Breaking Point,” was recently featured in a published compilation curated by Carol Azams, and I’m honored to share that the book has officially been released — and I’m on the cover.
It still feels surreal to even say that.
And what still blows my mind is this: Carol reached out to me out of the blue from Dublin, Ireland. A woman I had never met, across the ocean, inviting me to share my truth. It felt like a sign — that healing stories don’t have borders… and when we speak honestly, they find the people who need them.
What makes this book so powerful is that it isn’t a novel — and it isn’t made up of professional writers trying to sound polished. It’s nearly 50 real women, sharing real stories, in their own voices. Raw. Honest. Uncut. These chapters aren’t meant to entertain you… they’re meant to move you. Because when women tell the truth about what they’ve survived, what they’ve carried, and what they’ve rebuilt—something inside you remembers you’re not alone.
And the message behind my chapter is the real reason I’m proud… because this story isn’t just about burnout.
It’s about what happens after the breaking point.
It’s about rebuilding.
It’s about coming home to yourself.
And it’s about becoming unbreakable in the truest way.
The Breaking Point (Unbreakable)
I didn’t see it coming.
I thought I was holding it all together—being the good wife, the loving mom, the dependable employee, the one who always got things done with a smile.
But one day, I sat in my car in a grocery store parking lot and couldn’t move.
My body felt like cement.
My mind was fog.
And all I could think was:
I don’t want to do this anymore.
Not life.
Just… the version of life where I showed up for everyone else, but not myself.
That was the moment something cracked.
And through that crack came the truth:
I was burnt out, and it wasn’t noble.
It was costing me everything—my joy, my peace, my identity.
So I started over.
I set boundaries.
I said no.
I slowed down.
I let myself rest.
I let myself heal.
I leaned into energy healing, breathwork, and stillness—not because I had all the answers, but because I was finally willing to listen.
And that’s why I created Intentional Calm—to help others come home to themselves too.
Because burnout isn’t a personality trait.
It’s a wake-up call.
Now I live and work in a way that honors my energy and teaches others to do the same.
I’m not unbreakable because I never cracked.
I’m unbreakable because I rebuilt something deeper.
More grounded.
More sacred.
More me.
And if you’re somewhere in your car, your kitchen, or your soul, feeling the same way I did—
there’s a path back. I promise.
What I Know Now (That I Didn’t Know Then)
If you’ve ever hit a wall like this, I want you to hear this clearly:
You are not weak. You are overloaded.
And your nervous system is not betraying you…
It’s protecting you.
So many people live in survival mode for so long that they start to believe it’s normal.
But your body keeps receipts.
Your energy keeps score.
And eventually, something has to give.
That breaking point doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you reached the edge of a life that no longer fits.
Signs You Might Be at Your Own “Parking Lot Moment”
Sometimes burnout isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s quiet.
It can look like:
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Feeling emotionally flat or numb
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Crying for “no reason”
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Brain fog and exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix
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Dreading simple responsibilities
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Snapping at the people you love
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Losing joy in things that used to feel easy
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Functioning… but barely
If you see yourself in any of that, please know:
You don’t need to wait until you fall apart to get support.
A Simple “Unbreakable Reset” You Can Try Today (3 Minutes)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, try this:
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Put one hand on your heart, one on your belly.
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Inhale slowly for 4… exhale for 6. (Do that 3 times.)
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Whisper: “I am safe in this moment.”
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Ask yourself gently: “What do I need today that I keep ignoring?”
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Choose one tiny action that supports your answer:
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a glass of water
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a pause
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a “no”
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a walk
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an earlier bedtime
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turning your phone off for 30 minutes
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Small steps are powerful when they’re honest.
Why I’m Sharing This Now
Because being featured in this book is an honor…
…but more than that, it’s a reminder that our hardest moments often become our greatest turning points.
And if you’re reading this while quietly holding everything together, I want you to know:
You’re allowed to stop.
You’re allowed to rest.
You’re allowed to change your life.
Calm is not a luxury.
It’s a lifeline.
If You Want Support
If this story resonated with you and you’re ready to rebuild in a calmer, more grounded way, I offer virtual sessions that combine:
- Energy healing (Reiki + Chakra work)
- Nervous system support
- Guided journaling + mindset shifts
- Intuitive coaching + simple practical strategies
It’s called the Intentional Calm Method™ — and it’s designed to help you rebuild from the inside out, with calm structure and real support.
And just like healing stories have no boundaries, neither does this work.
Sessions are virtual, so you can receive support no matter where you live.
You don’t have to do this alone— and you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode to prove you’re strong. You’re allowed to feel better. You’re allowed to come back to yourself.
Calm isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline—and it’s available to you now.
With love and strength,
Mary-Anne
Click on the book image to grab a copy of inspiration for yourself!
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