Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1337092
52 ASCP Skin Deep March/April 2021 Anxiety is something that will always be there, unfortunately, but it's something I can control. It doesn't control me anymore. When I thought about taking the anxiety and panic attacks out of my life— and what would my dream career would be—esthetics was the only career that popped into my head. So, after I lost my [mortgage company] job and worked through some of my anxiety, I enrolled in school. Did anxiety strike in esthetician school? After I enrolled myself in an esthetics program at the Michigan College of Beauty in Troy, I felt like a brand-new person. I felt so passionate about what I was learning, and I felt comfortable speaking up in class. I was still working through my panic attacks at that time, but I was so surprised at myself. About halfway into the program, though, the anxiety came on strong again. I fell behind in school and had to re- enroll for the following semester. I was super embarrassed to go back. I had to explain to the school what was going on with me, but they were incredibly supportive, and I graduated in 2014. I was so proud of myself for achieving this goal—and not letting my anxiety take control. After graduation, how did you handle your anxiety in the salon? I just worked through it. My voice and my hands would shake at times, and I would feel defeated. But mostly, when I had a client in my treatment room, I would feel so at ease. I think my passion for what I was doing really helped me. I just loved making people feel good. I could help someone feel better about their skin or make them feel more relaxed, and that was an amazing feeling for me. Why did you decide to open your own salon? My previous position was ‡lled when I was ready to return to work after my daughter was born. I didn't have much luck ‡nding another job until I was oŒered an esthetician position at a massage chain. I was hopeful, but my anxiety struck again. At the interview, I was to be observed while giving a facial, Did your challenges make you stronger? I would de‡nitely say I'm stronger because of what I went through. I feel like I'm compassionate and very empathic, in general, and I'm better because I took a chance on myself. I'm proud of me for putting myself out there, and I keep going because I'm still a work in progress. Also, I want my daughter to see what I'm doing—and to see that you really can achieve anything you want if you work hard and don't give up. I named my business after her, and, hopefully, she'll be proud of everything I'm doing. How do you cope when overwhelmed? To alleviate my anxiety and panic attacks, I do deep breathing, exercise, and meditation. Positive aŽrmations and meditation really helped me get through esthetics school. My mantra is: "I am well. I am safe. I am at ease." It helps calm my mind and whatever irrational fear I'm panicking over. I also like the phrase "You can't have a positive life with a negative mind." And I ‡nd comfort in Louise L. Hay and her audiobooks—especially her aŽrmations. I had to change my negative thinking patterns and focus on positive self-talk. It really works! These things really help change my mindset and shift to more positive thinking. Your therapist asked you, "If you didn't have any anxiety at all, what career would you choose?" How did that question impact your life? That was everything; no one ever asked me that question—including myself. It totally changed my perspective and made me realize I don't have to make life decisions based on my anxiety and panic attacks. I think, for so long, I felt defeated—like I would never accomplish anything because I couldn't overcome this anxiety. I felt like it was making all the decisions in my life for me. After being in therapy—and realizing that's exactly what I was doing—I decided to make a change. I couldn't expect my life to ever be diŒerent if I didn't make a move and get out of my comfort zone. " I get to have a carr I never knew I always wanted, which continuay motivates me." —Nicole Gauci