I didn't lose my confidence. It was systematically taken from me. So slowly, so expertly, that I didn't notice it happening until I could barely recognise the woman looking back at me.

And then one day, something broke open.

At nearly 60, I am in charge of my finances. I sail yachts. I travel alone. I lift weights and I'm recalibrating my body, calming it down after years of prolonged stress.

I drink good coffee. I enjoy writing, and I've restructured my entire financial life for the rest of my time. I work hard to enjoy the imperfections as well as the best of times knowing that I am in control. I decided that the second chapter was going to be the best one.

I am not here to be your life coach. I don't have a formula for your pain. I have something more useful: I have done it. I am doing it. And I'm going to show you exactly what that looks like — the money, the body, the relationships, the mornings, the fear, the pride, all of it.

Your confidence isn't gone. It's buried under someone else's voice.

That voice was never right about you.