221 {Erin Hughes} Relying on prescription medications to cope with life

Try our FREE burnout quiz. Grab your burnout workbook HERE.  TW: prescription drug use There are many gateways to drug dependence, but the modern pressures of motherhood are not often recognised as one of them. Erin Hughes is the founder and visionary behind Here, There, Everywhere, a platform born from her desire to create a space where women can truly be themselves. She is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, wife, daughter and mother of four, who understands the daily juggle of wearing many hats. It was her busy life, social isolation and motherhood pressures amongst other things that lead to a subtle pathway into reliance on prescription medication and it took her some time to recognise it and act. In this episode she shares: -     The loneliness and judgment she experienced while raising young children in a small regional town. -     Why she felt pressure to fit a version of motherhood that didn't align with who she was. -     The role prescription pain medication came to play as a coping mechanism during a particularly demanding season of life. -     What it was like recognising she had become emotionally reliant on medication to switch off and relax. -     How opening up about her dependence became the first step towards seeking support and making changes. -     The connection between busyness, people-pleasing and avoiding uncomfortable emotions. -     Why learning to slow down, set boundaries and prioritise herself has been such an important lesson. -     How her experiences inspired her to create a platform that helps women embrace motherhood without losing themselves in the process. **Key Quotes** "I felt like there was something wrong with me because everyone else was loving this and I wasn't loving this." “I started to associate having pain relief and feeling relaxed and happy and a real hit of things being great.” "I found that 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM so difficult and challenging that I'd be like, 'I need to take the tablets because it helps me get through it.'" **More about Erin** Follow Erin on her platform Here, There, Everywhere via the website, and Instagram. And listen to the Here, There, Everywhere podcast. **You can get involved with the podcast online**   On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [support@challengesthatchangeus.com](mailto:support@challengesthatchangeus.com) Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com   If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website: http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.