Who are you?

I'm Debbie, aka The Mindful Meerkat. I am an agoraphobia survivor and mental health warrior. I am a mum of two adult sons (how did that happen?!). I was born in England but moved to Wales when I was 11.

What is Agoraphobia?

I always thought agoraphobia was not being able to leave your house. However, it is far more than that. It includes fear and anxiety of:

  • being in crowds

  • being alone

  • being in open spaces

  • being in enclosed spaces, and much more.

It is complicated and unique to the individual. What one person with agoraphobia fears may be fine for another.

I didn’t realise how long I’d had agoraphobia until I researched it in lockdown. I have been experiencing symptoms for many years but put them down separately as anxiety, depression and panic attacks. However, I now know that I was agoraphobic.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about being aware of what is happening in the present time. It is about focus. it is about acknowledging feelings, thoughts and sensations and being completely present in the moment.

How did you get into Mindfulness?

During lockdown I developed severe agoraphobia and my anxiety, depression and panic attacks flared up. I contacted Mind Cymru and was placed in their active monitoring (now supported self-help) programme. I was introduced to some mindfulness techniques which I found incredibly helpful. I researched more mindful techniques and have taken courses in Mindfulness, Meditation and Breathwork. 

I am not being dramatic to say that mindfulness has saved my life.

Why are you called The Mindful Meerkat?

When my boys were younger they said I was like a meerkat. I used to be on high alert, reacting to every noise, movement, touch, like a meerkat does. Head up, straight back, looking around for danger.

My reactions to everything were heightened. As you can imagine two young boys were noisy so my meerkat impressions were strong. This situation continued for years. I didn’t know what to do to make myself better.

It wasn’t until lockdown that I found my answer in mindfulness techniques. My boys were grown up by this point so I had been living like a meerkat for almost twenty years!!!

So that is why I am The Mindful Meerkat!

What do you do?

I help people help themselves.

I encourage clients to use mindfulness techniques, breathing techniques and the power of positivity to enhance their life.

I have embraced these techniques and they changed my life by using them on a daily basis.

I do this through 1:1 coaching, ebooks, audios and videos.