Erika’s Journey: Finding Self-Worth and Freedom

CASE STUDY  |  Six Weeks of Transformation

How six weeks of working with Darija using the Creatrix® method empowered Erika to reclaim her life and make a fresh start after decades of feeling stuck.

The Before

“I’ve spent most of my life feeling like I wasn’t enough.”

  • “Always the ‘good girl,’ putting myself last.”
  • “Fears of judgment and rejection.”
  • “Hid behind a mask of being ‘fine.’”

Erika, in her late 60s, had spent most of her life feeling like she wasn’t enough. She had always been the “good girl,” taking care of everyone else’s needs and putting herself last. Her biggest fears were centered around judgment and rejection. Her inner struggle was loud: “What will people think of me?” “I’ve messed up my life.” “What if people see that I’m not good enough?” These thoughts filled her with anxiety, self-loathing, and caused her to overeat to cope with her feelings.

Erika felt trapped and afraid of making changes. She feared how others, especially her family, would react if she truly spoke her mind. Despite years of self-help courses, hundreds of self-help books and even using medication to manage her depression, she felt stuck in the same patterns. She longed for connection but was also nervous about facing the people in her life who knew about her struggles. It felt easier to hide behind the mask of being “fine” than to confront her reality.

At the Start of the Journey

Her dream was simple: to celebrate her 70th birthday, mask-free.

  • “To feel at peace and confident.”
  • “To stop worrying about others’ opinions.”
  • “To be able to speak up for myself.”

Erika craved inner peace, confidence, and freedom. She wanted to feel good about herself and stop worrying about others’ opinions. Her dream was simple: to celebrate her 70th birthday with friends, being completely herself without the mask she had worn for so long. She wanted to seize opportunities, live without fear, and love freely without agenda.

When she found out about Creatrix®, Erika was cautious. She had doubts: “What if this program is just another failed attempt? What if, again, nothing changes?” But deep down, she knew she had to try. So, she set clear goals—to stop living in fear, to speak up for herself, and to appreciate herself.

Our work together began with weekly Creatrix® sessions, focusing on her feelings of disappointment, rejection, and fear. Each session allowed her to peel back layers of self-doubt, shifting her perceptions from fear to strength.

The Journey

Her true ‘aha moment’ was when she prioritized her well-being for the first time.

Erika’s first major breakthrough came right after her first session. She found herself able to speak directly with her husband, something she had always feared. She expressed herself calmly, without worrying about how he might react. This immediate shift set the tone for the changes that followed.

Later in the program, Erika had a powerful realization. For the first time, she chose to prioritize her own well-being over meeting expectations. Instead of completing her homework, she opted for a calming bath, arriving at the session without her usual feelings of disappointment or guilt. This simple act marked a profound shift—her true “aha moment.” She recognized that taking care of herself didn’t require self-criticism, showing just how far she had come on her journey.

Her journey included several other victories:

  • Gaining Independence:

    Erika started handling things herself, stepping into situations with confidence.

Erika started handling things she used to avoid, stepping into situations with confidence. She no longer felt the need for someone else to take charge and realized she could rely on herself.

    • Reconnecting with Others:

      She reached out to an old friend, realizing she had the power to rebuild connections.

    Erika had often felt sorry for herself, believing that a good friend wasn’t making an effort to keep in touch. Instead of waiting and feeling hurt, she decided to take the first step and reached out. To her surprise, the friend responded warmly. This experience showed Erika that she had the power to rebuild connections and that taking action could change her perspective.

    • Releasing Judgment:

      Through Creatrix®, Erika learned to accept others and herself without judgment, finding peace in the process.

    She learned to stop judging herself and others harshly. Erika began to accept people, including her husband, as they were, without feeling the need to change them. This release brought her a newfound sense of peace and significantly reduced the resentment she had carried for years.

    • Becoming an Active Participant:

      She shared her creative work and took on new activities, like swimming in the sea.

    Instead of staying on the sidelines of life, Erika began to take on new activities and hobbies she had long avoided. She even shared some of her creative work with others, receiving positive feedback that boosted her confidence. One day, she finally went for a swim in the sea—a simple yet liberating experience that made her feel truly alive.

      In just six weeks, she experienced profound changes. Erika even lost 7 kilos without planning as she no longer felt the need to overeat to cope with her emotions.

        A New Chapter Begins

        Now, Erika steps INTO life instead of shying away from it.

        • “She is feeling more ‘on top of situations’.”
        • “She faces challenges more directly and speaks openly.”
        • “She’s looking forward to celebrating her birthday, genuinely excited to be surrounded by loved ones.

        Now, Erika feels more on top of situations and empowered. She no longer wears the “perfection” mask and is much more honest with herself and others. When challenges come up, she faces them directly, speaking openly instead of letting resentment build up.

        She now has a sense of self-worth and independence. She takes on tasks herself, knowing she has the strength to handle them, and she’s no longer waiting for someone else to take charge. Recently, she put her creativity on display and was thrilled with the response. These achievements have left her looking forward to celebrating her birthday, feeling genuinely excited about being surrounded by the people she loves.

         

        The difference now is that Erika doesn’t shy away from life; she steps into it. Her journey over these six short weeks shows how reclaiming self-worth with Creatrix® method can transform not just how you see yourself, but how you choose to live every single day.