You know that moment when you realize—really realize—that you’ve changed?

That the old story is still there, but it doesn’t hook you the same way.
That the emotions still rise, but they move through you instead of overtaking you.
That the fear, the doubt, the hesitation—they don’t run the show anymore.

I had one of those moments this week.

I’m in the middle of a professional photo shoot—something that, in the past, would have sent me spiraling.

I would have been in my head, overanalyzing:

What will people think when they see these? Am I even at the level where I should be doing in this?

And yet, today? I feel excited. Open. Ready.

Healing Changes the Way We See

This is what inner work does. It doesn’t erase the thoughts. It doesn’t mean you never feel discomfort again.

But it does mean you no longer believe the old stories the way you used to. They lose their power. Their grip loosens. You create space for something new.

A few years ago, I would have shied away from an opportunity like this.

I would have looked at the other women at this shoot—successful, powerful, experienced—and convinced myself I didn’t belong.

But not anymore.

Because when we heal, we expand into more of what’s already ours.

Why Do Old Stories Lose Their Grip?

When we do the deep work—whether through EFT, nervous system rewiring, or other healing modalities—we start to rewire how our brain and body respond to situations.

Here’s what actually happens:

Your nervous system gets stronger. You build the capacity to hold more emotions—both the challenging ones and the expansive ones—without shutting down or spiraling.

Your brain creates new associations. Instead of immediately defaulting to self-doubt, your mind starts seeing new possibilities: Maybe I do belong here. Maybe I can enjoy this moment.

Your emotions move faster. Feelings aren’t meant to stay stuck. When you regulate your nervous system, emotions flow through naturally instead of lingering in loops of self-doubt and fear.

You shift from reaction to response. Instead of reacting with anxiety or avoidance, you can choose how you want to engage with a moment—like stepping into a photoshoot with confidence.

This is what starts to happen

You feel old thoughts try to creep in.
But they moved through.
Emotions rise.
But they settled faster.
You feel the shift.

And… it can even get to a point, where the old story doesn’t register anymore. Oh ya.

Seeing Your Own Growth

One of the most powerful things about doing this work is that you don’t always notice the transformation in real-time.

Healing isn’t always a lightning bolt moment. Often, it’s a slow build, happening beneath the surface.

But then—one day—you find yourself in a situation where you used to feel stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed… and you realize you feel different.

More free.
More expansive.
More yourself.

That’s when you know the work is paying off.

That’s when you see your own growth reflected back at you.

Want to Expand Your Capacity for More?

This shift didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken consistent, intentional inner work.

And I’d love to help you start your own journey of expansion.

If you’re ready to step into more confidence, ease, and self-trust (without the old fears running the show), I invite you to join my email list.

Inside, I share:
Simple EFT practices you can use daily
Tools for rewiring self-doubt into confidence
Stories (like this one) that help you see what’s possible for you
Exclusive workshops and resources for stepping into your highest self

Sign up here to get the best of it all straight to your inbox: https://ashleywilton.myflodesk.com/e06ebc7f-f7e5-45ef-b4ba-6d3a86134835

Because when you expand your capacity, you expand your life.