You know that moment when you’re trying to record a podcast, write content, show up online... and your body just says nope?

Yeah. That was me the last few weeks. 

And if you’re a woman building a business, chasing income goals, and doing your absolute best to keep it together without burning out… this one’s for you.

I Used to Think Hustle Was the only Way to Seven Figures…

For the past few weeks, I found myself dreading recording this podcast. Not because I don’t love it (I actually really enjoy it), but because the idea of getting into “big energy” felt exhausting. I kept telling myself I needed to show up in that high-vibe, bouncy, energetic way...  the way the online space says you’re “meant” to if you want to grow.

Except that version of me isn't really me.

I’m not the loudest person in the room (or if I am, I'm pretending, and I can't keep that level up consistently). I’m the one near the food table, quietly observing, curious, maybe sipping a drink (usually non-alcoholic) and taking it all in. That’s always been my energy. And honestly, it's where I do my best work... I don't like pretending to be a hype girl when my nervous system wants to be still.

So I was exhausted and deep down questioning whether success was really for me when I asked myself why was I trying to build my business someone else’s version of success. Somewhere along the line, I learnt to associate “being big and loud” with “being worthy of big money”. Oof. 

Nervous System Work Isn’t About Hustling Harder

This is where nervous system work gets misunderstood. I used to think that if I regulated harder, learnt more stress reduction tools, and found the magic bullet.. that I'd finally be that version of myself who would be big, loud and constantly bubbly. 

But what I learnt through experience and education is that it’s not about stretching your capacity so you can tolerate more stress.

It’s about regulating your system so that it’s safe to expand your capacity (within your edges) without blowing up like an overinflated balloon.

Yes, you can increase your threshold for receiving more money.

Yes, you can train your nervous system to tolerate more wealth, more clients, more visibility.

But we all have our edges.

And if you keep pushing past your edges to try and meet someone else’s definition of what successful looks like, your nervous system will eventually tap out.

That’s not a mindset problem. That’s a mismatch between your nervous system and your business model. 

How This Shows Up in Real Life

For me, it showed up as resistance to hitting record on the podcast because I was exhausted and not tuning into my body earlier. 

For one of my clients, it showed up as resenting her client list because she was undercharging them and was getting annoyed at her income compared to her effort. 

For others, it’s saying yes when they wished they said no, freezing on sales calls, or even random health symptoms every time they raise their prices.

The issue isn’t that you’re not capable.

It might be that your nervous system isn’t aligned with the strategy or business structure you’re trying to force yourself into.

Square Peg, Round Hole Business Models

If you’ve been building your business using someone else’s strategy (you know, the ones that say “just post more” or “do daily lives” or "just follow this 10-step plan") without asking what your unique nervous system needs, you’re going to hit a wall. You might already have.

And it’s not your fault. Most people never ask how their nervous system feels about their business. But once you start tuning in, everything starts to click.

You stop trying to show up like someone else.

You stop resenting the work.

You start creating from your rhythm.

That’s where your power is.

You Can Make More Money and Feel Good Holding It

This is the piece most strategies miss because the body has to feel safe receiving.

You can do all the money mindset work in the world, but if your body shutdowns every time you sign a high-ticket client, your income will reflect your baseline safety, not what's on your vision board.

Building a nervous system-led business means you get to:

• Work with your actual strengths (not just the loudest version of yourself that you can''t sustain)

• Set up your income streams based on what feels sustainable

• Stop swinging between big income months and full-body burnout

And let’s be honest, it’s way easier to magnetise aligned clients when you’re not secretly hating how you’re showing up in the first place.

You’re Allowed to Do It Your Way

The truth is, I’m a trained psychologist doing money coaching. That alone makes some people (e.g. psychologists) uncomfortable. I’ve had peers question me, judge me, misunderstand the work I do... and I’ve also had clients tell me, “this is the work I’ve been searching for my whole life”.

You don’t need to make everyone comfortable. You need to build a business that makes your nervous system feel stable, safe, and expansive, so your income can grow in a way that actually lasts.

And the more you build your business around what’s true for you, the more magnetic you become. Not because you’re trying to be, but because people can feel when you’re living in alignment. And this is where money grows.

So If You’re Sitting at That Crossroads…

Trying to figure out why your income feels stuck, why your motivation keeps dipping, or why all the strategy in the world hasn’t shifted things... your nervous system might be the missing piece.

Repeat after me:

You’re allowed to build a business that doesn’t burn you out.

You’re allowed to make money in a way that feels good in your body.

You’re allowed to do it differently.

And if you don’t know what that version looks like yet... well you're in luck because that’s my favourite place to start.

Curious to learn more? Take a look at the links above to explore private coaching.