First of all, yes… I know this title is a bit cheesy, but I couldn’t help myself. Secondly, welcome to my first blog post! I have to admit, I am a bit nervous because I haven’t done this before, but I really want to share how ACTualize came to be, and why it means so much to me.
My name is Szofi, and I’m originally from Hungary, but I’ve been living in the Netherlands for over eight years now. My relationship with psychology started when I was 16. I had this British psychology teacher, Dr. Brian, who made everything, even classical conditioning, feel practical and alive. I knew then that I was drawn to understanding people, and this might be the thing for me. But like many of us, I didn’t follow the obvious path at all…
I first studied European Studies for a year, but quickly realized that I missed psychology, so I started my bachelor’s in Psychology. After graduating, I briefly tried a master’s in Epidemiology (you’d think, I’d learn from my past choices), but ended up stopping after a couple of months. After leaving yet another program and having a smaller burnout in a corporate job, I found myself in a place that felt heavy and lonely.
Eventually, I came back to psychology one last time, and this time with more intention and awareness. I applied for a Master’s in Health and Medical Psychology and, while waiting for admission, I started researching everything I could about anxiety, specifically health anxiety and the ways our bodies respond to stress. That’s when I discovered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
At first, ACT didn’t feel natural to me. The idea of making space for uncomfortable thoughts and sensations felt… impossible. But the more I practiced it, the more it started to shift how I related to my own mind and body. I understood that getting rid of uncomfortable things is not the answer; it’s me changing my relationship with these thoughts that is because what you resist, persists.
It is because of my own struggles with anxiety and health anxiety that I feel deeply connected to supporting others who go through it. I know firsthand how exhausting it can be to live in a constant loop of checking symptoms, googling every minor sensation, and seeking reassurance that never quite settles the worry. It can feel endless, isolating, and incredibly heavy.
That’s why I believe so strongly in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT doesn’t offer a magic solution or quick fix. What it does offer is something more powerful — a new way of relating to anxiety. Instead of trying to push it away or silence it, ACT helps create space for it without letting it dictate your life. It’s not about feeling better in the moment, but about learning how to live better even when things are hard.
Because of both my personal experiences and my education and profession in psychology, I believe I can offer a perspective that is empathetic and authentic. I understand what it feels like, and I also know what it takes to start moving toward something more meaningful.
The same goes for unhelpful health habits. Whether it’s not moving enough, emotional eating, or just feeling stuck in routines that don’t feel good anymore, I’ve learned that it’s rarely about discipline or motivation alone. What really helps is reconnecting with the reasons underneath. What do you care about deeply? Why does living healthier even matter to you? When we understand the values behind our actions, the change becomes more personal and sustainable.
This is where ACTualize comes in. I started this project to create a space for people who want support with anxiety, health anxiety, stress, burnout, or habit change, not from a place of pressure or fixing, but from a place of curiosity, compassion, and care. My goal is to help you live in closer alignment with what matters to you, even when life is messy or uncertain.
You can work with me either online or through walking sessions in and around Amsterdam. I’ve found that walking side by side, out in nature or just moving through the city, can make it easier to open up and reflect. There’s something calming about walking that naturally helps calm the nervous system. It can feel less intense than sitting face-to-face, and many people say it helps them think more clearly and speak more freely.
So if any part of this resonates with you, I’m really glad you’re here. Whether you are just starting to explore support or have been trying different things for a while, my hope is that ACTualize can be a place where you feel seen, supported, and a little more hopeful about what’s ahead.
Thanks for being here.
