For many years, I lived with anxiety and relied on various medications to manage it. While these medications helped, I became increasingly concerned about their long-term effects. I knew I wanted to reduce my reliance on pill medicine—but I also knew that doing so would require courage, strategy, and support.

As someone deeply committed to wellness, I had already been practicing psychoeducational interventions and sharing them with others. But last year, something shifted. I became a Personal Medicine Coach, and everything I thought I knew about healing took on a new dimension.

What Is Personal Medicine?

Personal medicine isn’t something you pick up at the pharmacy. It’s the non-pharmaceutical self-care activities that help us alleviate symptoms, prevent undesirable outcomes, and enhance our overall sense of well-being. It’s about discovering what works for you—not just what works in general.

Personal medicine can be a walk in nature, journaling, painting, connecting with loved ones, or any activity that nurtures your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. And yes, it can help reduce reliance on pill medicine.

Turning Coping Strategies Into Personal Medicine

I had spent years building coping strategies, but I realized that many of them were generic. They weren’t tailored to me. That’s when I began using personal medicine cards for anxious feelings to customize my own healing toolkit.

This inward focus—transforming broad strategies into deeply personal ones—was a game-changer. I started to feel more confident in my ability to manage anxiety without medication. I wasn’t just coping anymore; I was healing.

A Collaborative and Courageous Step Forward

With my clinician’s support, I created a plan to reduce my medication. I had tried this before, but this time was different. This time, I had the strength of my personal medicine behind me. Over the course of several months, I successfully stopped one medication entirely.

It wasn’t easy. I was terrified of what might happen without the medication. But I forged ahead, trusting in the healing power within me.

A Quote That Resonates Deeply

“A healer's power stems not from any special ability, but from maintaining the courage and awareness to embody and express the universal healing power that every human being naturally possesses.”
— Eric Michael Leventhal

This quote speaks to the heart of my journey. Healing isn’t about being extraordinary—it’s about being intentional, aware, and courageous.

To Anyone on a Similar Path…

If you’re looking to change something in your life, start by looking inward. You already possess the healing power you need. And if you need support, I’ve been there—and I’m here for you.

I hope my story encourages you to explore your own personal medicine.Let’s continue to walk this path together.