5 Things I Don’t Give a F* About Anymore After Cancer

And Why Embracing My Sensitivity Changed Everything

Going through stage 3 Bowel Cancer when I was 39 changed everything for me, but maybe not in the most obvious ways.... Since then I have had recurring dreams of various cataclysmic disasters… zombies, asteroids, plane crashes, tsunamis, aliens, sudden climate change... I think it’s my brain’s way of processing the literal bomb that went off in my life.

What has emerged after the dust has settled is definitely a lot more clarity on what I actually care about. Clarity on what truly matters and what I believe my ‘purpose’ is (more on that later).

I’ve always been highly sensitive and now I know I was also masking ADHD in my younger years. Going through cancer and especially the chemo side of things I feel has only made me more sensitive- especially to noises and certain smells. I now know I also have an open Crown Centre in Human Design (absorbing all the things!) and that’s helped me understand why I spent years overwhelmed by everyone else’s opinions, rules, and expectations.

But cancer was the ultimate reset—a chance to stop apologising for who I am and start living in alignment with my true self.

So, here are five things I’ve stopped giving a f*** about, thanks to cancer—and how letting them go has set me free.

1. Approval From Anyone But Myself

I used to be the queen of people-pleasing. My sensitivity made me hyper-aware of others feelings, and my ADHD brain was always scanning for ways to “fix” or adapt myself to make people happy.

Post-cancer me… Now, I check in with myself: Does this align with who I am? Does it feel good? If the answer is no, I let it go. My open crown centre means I’ll always feel the pull of external influences, but I’ve learned to filter out the noise and stay true to my own rhythm.

2. Living By “The Rules”

Society loves a good one-size-fits-all blueprint: follow the rules, climb the ladder, stick to the timeline. For someone like me, with an ADHD brain that thrives on innovation and a sensitivity that resists rigidity, those “rules” felt like a cage.

After cancer, I realised I don’t have to play by the old rulebook. I’m here to write my own. My sensitivity gives me the insight to see what’s broken, and my creativity allows me to dream up better ways to live, work, and connect. Forget the linear path—I’m forging one that actually fits me. A cyclical one.

3. Being ‘Perfect’

Perfectionism was my toxic sidekick for years. I’d overthink, overanalyse, and over-edit every little thing, stuck in a cycle of procrastination and self-doubt.

Then cancer hit, and I had to ask myself: What am I waiting for?

Now, I prioritise progress over perfection. My ADHD creativity shines when I stop forcing it, and my sensitivity keeps me connected to what matters most. Life isn’t about getting it “right”; it’s about showing up, messy and authentic, and letting that be enough.

4. Small Talk

Small talk drains my soul. As an HSP, I crave depth, honesty, and connection. But for years, I played along because I thought it was the polite thing to do.

Now, I protect my energy fiercely. Time is too precious to waste on surface-level conversations. I want to talk about dreams, fears, passions—the real stuff. My ADHD brain thrives on meaningful exchanges, and my sensitivity allows me to hold space for deeper connections. If we’re not diving deep, I’m out.

5. Playing Small

Here’s the thing about being highly attuned to others emotions: you can get really good at dimming your own light to keep the peace. I’d shrink myself, downplay my ideas, and soften my opinions to make sure no one felt uncomfortable.

But cancer was a wake-up call: Life is short, and I’m not here to play small.

I’ve stopped apologising for my ambition, my creativity, and my voice. My ADHD gives me bold, innovative ideas. My sensitivity lets me connect and inspire.

Living Unapologetically as a Sensitive, Creative Force

Cancer taught me that these aren’t flaws—they’re my superpowers. So going back to the idea of my purpose. I wrote my vision for the world I want to help create and it’s no coincidence it links back to all this:

My Vision:

A balanced world where intuition, creativity, and spirituality are valued alongside logic, feminine and masculine energies work in harmony, and compassionate leadership supports everyone in thriving while staying deeply connected to nature and one another.

So whilst going through cancer was the hardest thing I’ve done, I’ve emerged with the gift of clarity and purpose. This is the work I’m now doing with my group programmes and my 1:1 clients.

If you’ve ever felt like the world wasn’t designed for you, take it from me: you don’t need to fit in. Your sensitivity, your quirks, your unique way of seeing the world? Those are the very things that make you extraordinary, and we need more of it.