To the outside world, it looked like I had it all together.
It looked like I was this confident woman with a marvellous life.
With everything she could wish for.
But on the inside it was a whole different story.
On the inside, I was full of doubt and worry.
Inside I felt sort of crazy. I never felt fully content. I had a strong sense of something missing.
Yet, I didn’t know what. Or what I wanted instead.
I was angry at myself and felt guilty for being ungrateful. Because I had it all! What was I complaining about?
Over the years I toiled on, going through the motions. I existed, but I didn’t live.
I believed that it was this way for everyone.
I started to give in and give up. Resigning myself to a life I wasn’t meant to live.
I started to give in and give up. Resigning myself to a life I wasn’t meant to live.
Then I got a wake up call.
Which made me realize I didn’t know who I was.
That I didn’t like myself all that much.
That things I thought were normal in my marriage, were actually kind of dysfunctional.
That something was going on and that I was not as crazy as my husband wanted me to believe.
That I was being manipulated masterfully.
I understood I no longer wanted this joyless life, with all the drama.
With all the walking on eggshells
So I rebelled.
I realised that this was not how I wanted to live my life!
I rebelled against this farce of a life.
I was petrified of having to leave everything behind which I had tried so hard to keep together for so many years. Terrified of losing everybody and everything.
I had changed.
I also knew that one day I would leave.
I only didn’t know how and when.
The day came that I could no longer deal with this mess.
I packed my bags and left.
I got out and started over.
I was scared sh*tless and yet totally fearless.
Starting over didn’t prove as easy as I’d thought it was.
I rode the roller coaster of denial, anger, sadness, grief and depression.
I faced challenges and obstacles I didn’t even think could happen.
I grieved the loss of time, of myself.
When I accepted what had happened, when I recognised it was OK to be me, everything started to flow.
I am sharing my experience to help you through similar situations.
I want to show you that it’s possible to get out, to deal with the aftermath of bad or toxic relationships.
I want you to believe that you can heal and move on.
I want to show you that it’s OK to fall, make mistakes and start over.
That you can thrive! No matter how old you are, no matter how scared you are.
No matter what!
No matter what!
“There is a tremendous difference between existing and thriving.”
I'm Christel. I had it all and yet I felt lost.
I didn't know who I was anymore.
I didn't know who I was anymore.
And I became a rebel. I decided to choose me. To change my life.
I longed for a more authentic life. One where I owned my story. One where I stood up for my true values. One where I wasn't an afterthought or a part of the decor.
I realised that choosing myself was not selfish. On the contrary, it was the most unselfish thing I ever did. Because, once I decided it was time for myself, I made choices and changes in all areas of my life.
I can help you spot, get the hell out, deal with the aftermath and heal from a toxic relationship.
Subheadline spaceI can help you choose you, start over and thrive.


Some trivial things about me
I love animals. All creatures great and small -- well, besides enormous, hairy spiders that is. I have a thing about elephants, but they don't fit in my living room. So I make do with 6 dogs and 1 cat.
I adore my morning coffee. But not after 2 pm.
I have two grown-up sons who refuse to leave Hotel Christel, so I must have done something good —or not. And last but not least, a supportive husband who helped me start over my career and loves me to bits. which btw is reciprocal.
I love blue skies, sunshine and the beach. That's why I live in the Algarve. Yet sometimes I need myself some city energy. NYC is on the top of my list, but a visit to my home city, Antwerp also does the trick.
I have no thyroid which messed up my hormones real bad. But now I got that under control. Somewhat.