Name: Anna Sotiropoulos

Age: 28

Where are you right now- tell us what you can see?

On my couch with both my pugs snoring on my lap watching Dawson’s Creek for the 600th time

What did you have for breakfast?

A piece of gluten free date toast

What are you usually doing at 11pm?

Scrolling through Instagram and watching Netflix (terrible I know).

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a complete germaphobe. I carry disinfectant with me EVERYWHERE and won’t let my partner touch almost anything in our house that we may eat unless I’ve witnessed him clean his hands first (again, crazy, I know)

 

A little more serious

 

Tell us a bit about your story? What defines you?

Growing up mental illness is something I was no stranger to. My grandmother took her own life before I was born, multiple women in my family struggle with Bipolar, one of my best friends in high school had anorexia, the other struggles with Bipolar to this day. I always thought I was so strong to be able to support everyone in my life and not battle anything myself.. haha boy was I wrong. About 10yrs ago is when I realized I suffered from anxiety. Back then it was so bad I literally could not leave the house unless it was to go to my parents or our shop. If I went anywhere else I would completely lose focus, struggle to breathe, feel dizzy and have to go home. I sought medical help and even tried hypnotherapy. It became manageable for years, but the passed year it returned to a hard to manage state. It made everything heighten, how I looked at my body and now my germ phobia has escalated. Every morning I would think super irrational thoughts about getting terminally ill or ending my own life and not necessarily because I’m depressed, more because I don’t want to live like this anymore. I think I try so hard to be okay for everyone else that I let my own health slip away from me. But then I think of my family and my beautiful best friend who has a new bub on the way and I realise they are so much more important to me than this thing. So I fight. Everyday.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?

Definitely living with anxiety.

How did you overcome that challenge?

Ooof, get back to me on that one haha. I think every day I’m learning to overcome the crippling worry and learn to appreciate myself, my appearance, my life and my health so much more. I look to the future more than I used to and remember the things I want to be around for.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt?

To not sweat the small stuff.

What would you tell your 15 year old self?

Get out of your head, babe. The world is beautiful and you’re going to miss it if you don’t look up once in a while.

What is your biggest life tip?

Spend as much time doing what you want to do and not regretting the things you didn’t. Be with the ones you love, make real memories not Instagram ones.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing women today?

Social media, without a doubt. It is crippling to women’s self esteem in every way.

What do you think is the biggest opportunity for women today?

To just be there for one and other. Be each other’s cheer squad no matter what! Don’t be nasty just because you don’t understand or may be envious or not particularly like or agree with someone. Be supportive. Just be nicer to each other. We’re all just trying to get through life together.

Finish the sentence This Is me …I’m not perfect, but I am grateful, I am strong and I am alive.