The Breaking Point

I didn't plan to fall apart.

I just ran out of ways to hold it all together.

The Breaking Point: When Holding It Together No Longer Works

By Julia LeFevre | Brave Restoration

There was no big moment.
No ambulance. No public collapse.
Just a slow, painful unraveling behind the scenes.

• I started missing appointments.

• I forgot routine errands.

• I second-guessed everything.

• Even more—I tried to push through.

In my world, pausing felt like failure.
I told myself: “This is just a hard season. You’re strong. Keep going.”

But eventually, my body and brain stopped asking.
They started shutting down.

My Story

I had spent years building an identity on being dependable, driven, capable. Letting that identity crack felt like losing a part of myself.

From the time I was young, I was known as "Mary Poppins--practically perfect in all she does!" I didn't ask for this nickname. But my teacher was happy to give it.

Each day papers were handed out, my teacher announced, "100% for Mary Poppins!" On an off day, everyone would hear, "What happened? 97%?".

It was a lose/lose situation. One in which I couldn't escape. I was either perfect or less than. So, Mary Poppins it was.

Neuroscience Insight

When stress goes unprocessed, the brain shifts from rational thinking (prefrontal cortex) to survival mode (limbic system). This is called limbic hijacking—where emotions like fear, anger, or shame override logic.

You might snap at someone. Go numb. Or feel completely disconnected.
These aren’t flaws. They’re signs of overload.

Your brain isn’t broken.
It’s protecting you the only way it knows how.

My unprocessed stress evolved into an anxious determination to produce perfectly. This lasted for decades, until I just couldn't keep up any more.

• Adrenalin didn't know when to stop.

• Breathing took attention.

• Thinking was scattered.

• Living was reduced to surviving.

Sound Familiar?

If you’ve ever hit a point where you couldn’t keep pretending. . .
If your body knew something your mind wouldn’t admit, you are not alone.

Breaking isn’t weakness. Sometimes, it’s the beginning of being honest.

There Is Hope

Next week, I’ll share what it looked like to step into the BRAVE work of healing.

But for today, I want to leave you with a question: What are the warning signs your body has been whispering that you’ve been too strong to hear?

Feel free to book a free discovery call to explore this in more depth.