As a nervous system-informed esthetician, I’ve spent years helping others feel more calm, grounded, and at ease in their skin. But if I’m being honest, one of the biggest transformations in my own life hasn’t just been about skin - it’s been about softening my own perfectionism and control.

Control used to be my comfort zone. I planned every detail, over-prepared for every situation, and tried to anticipate everything well in advance, often spending more time in my head then in the present moment :( Underneath that need to control was something very human: a desire to feel safe, to feel prepared, to not be caught off guard.

What I didn’t realize until I began my IWA Somatic Practitioner Certification was that control isn’t always a mindset - it’s a nervous system pattern (of course it is). My body had learned that staying in control kept me safe. But that same habit also kept me tense, exhausted, and constantly in my head.

Through my training and personal practice, I started working with my body to build what I now call micro-tolerance for uncertainty. It’s not about throwing away all structure or never caring again - it’s about learning to loosen the grip, moment by moment.

Here are some of the tools and shifts that helped me soften:

1. Creating Safety in the Body First
I used breathwork, grounding touch, and body awareness to help my nervous system feel supported even when I wasn’t in control. I practiced placing a hand over my heart, slowing my breath, and saying: "This moment is safe enough." It seems simple, but it retrained my system to relax.

2. Embracing Uncertainty in Small Doses
I started experimenting with low-stakes unpredictability: going on walks without a route, not checking my phone immediately, engaging in a hobby without an end goal in mind, or cooking without a recipe. Each moment was a chance to remind myself: I can be with the unknown and still feel okay.

3. Rewriting My Inner Narrative
Instead of defining myself by how in-control or on-top-of-things I was, I began to trust a new identity: someone who is grounded, adaptable, and resilient. Someone who responds with presence instead of pressure.

This work - both personal and professional - now shapes and informs how I support clients. Every service I offer includes nervous system support because I’ve seen firsthand how much our skin, stress, and self-worth are all connected. Whether you’re coming in for a facial or a deeper wellness session, we’re not just treating symptoms - we’re helping your whole system exhale.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding everything together a little too tightly, I see you. Somatic work helped me remember that softness isn’t weakness - it’s a different kind of strength. The kind that trusts life. The kind that breathes. The kind that lets go.

Want to explore this work in your own body? Let’s connect. My Austin-based studio offers a range of integrative services to help you feel more calm, connected, and vibrant - inside and out.