You Call it Health. I Call it Avoidance.
The missing piece: self-responsibility
What if everything you’ve been told about illness is wrong? German New Medicine challenges that entire narrative—and it demands something many of us tend to avoid: self-responsibility.
Most people assume healing starts with treatment. But what if it actually begins with how we perceive our own experiences?
From my work in health, wellness, and fitness, I’ve learned one thing above all: we are far more responsible for our biology than we’ve been led to believe.
One of my core rules as a coach is that I don’t work with anyone who isn’t ready to do the work themselves. I’m not here to babysit, play therapist, or be a friend disguised as a coach. Simply put, I don’t hold your hand—I teach you how to hold your own. Taking self-responsibility is the key to feeling and being fit and well. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s one of my foundational principles of wellness.
On this spectrum, self-responsibility lies at one end and victimhood at the other. We get to choose where we land. Victimhood is the easier path—“woe is me” and waiting to be rescued—but it’s not where we embody our fullest health and vitality. While we may learn from being there, true embodiment only happens when we choose to step out and see the other side.
Shifting our belief systems—from conventional medicine or holistic wellness—to seeing through the lens of German New Medicine requires fully embodying self-responsibility. I believe this is exactly why so many people push back, question, or discredit GNM—whether they realise it or not.
We’ve been programmed to rely on some outside entity or person to “fix” us and make it better. We’ve been told that germs and viruses threaten us, and the biggest misconception of all: that we cannot trust our bodies—that illness, disease, and symptoms are signs our bodies are failing us, and that this decline only worsens with age.
You might think, “But I know people this has happened to,” or, “I’ve seen it in my own family.” And that’s okay—you can choose to stay there if you want. But ultimately, it’s your belief system that keeps you where you are.
That’s why it’s so important to 1) become aware of what your beliefs actually are, and 2) question them. Where did they even come from in the first place?
As Edgar Allan Poe wisely said, “Believe nothing you see and only half of what you hear.” This reminds us that beliefs are often inherited or assumed—and definitely worth questioning.
I’m not here to convince you to adopt any particular belief system. Your beliefs are your own, and that’s perfectly fine. What I want to highlight is the power we have to choose our beliefs—and how those beliefs shape our reality. Simply put, what you believe is what you tend to see.
I also want to point out why I believe many people feel triggered when they learn about GNM. It’s far easier to cling to who we think we are and what we think we know than to face the challenge of change. It’s also easier to blame external factors or other people for our experiences.
Living and embodying life through the lens of GNM demands full self-responsibility, and most people aren’t ready—or willing—to take on that level of accountability. Especially since it requires deep awareness, discipline, and a commitment to shifting our perceptions.
I personally find it empowering to know that I hold the power. Nothing outside of me dictates my biological response—it’s all shaped by my perception. Because of that, if something doesn’t feel right or if my body reacts in a difficult way, I have the choice to work with it. How amazing is that? We don’t have to rely on partners, family, friends, or co-workers to manage it for us. The power lies within us.
When we choose to fully embody self-responsibility, everything shifts in a beautiful way. From my own experience, I hardly experience symptoms like I did as a child or teenager. Thanks to the wisdom of GNM, I understand I can choose how to perceive and respond, supporting my body and mental strength in the best way possible. What could be healthier than that?
No outside remedy—whether a supplement, herb, diet, or exercise programme—can replace the simple yet profound act of stepping out of victimhood and into full self-responsibility.
I often say that shifting from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can this teach me?” or “What part of me helped create this?” is a small but powerful change. It instantly invites us to take ownership of everything we create and co-create in our lives—which is every single experience we have—and to step out of victimhood.
We’ve all been there—and likely will be again. If you’ve read my previous articles, Part 1 and Part 2 on the connection between victimhood and acne, you’ll find some of my personal experiences shared there.
So, how can you step out of victimhood?
First, you need to recognise when you’re in it. This is the most crucial step—without awareness, you’ll remain stuck. And honestly, I can’t tell you exactly what you need to do.
You have to find ways to become more aware of your inner dialogue—the stories you tell yourself, the moments when you’re moaning or whining, or when your conversations with family and friends revolve around what went wrong, what annoyed you, or who was rude to you (let’s be honest, no one enjoys being around that energy).
You also need to be honest with yourself about how you might be comfortable in the victim role. Whether we admit it or not, part of us often finds some kind of solace there.
It feels good to be “taken care of,” coddled, and checked in on. Complaining, venting, and spiralling over every little thing can be oddly satisfying—it feeds that part of us that likes to get stuck in repetitive loops of mundane details, especially when there’s nothing else to talk about.
What if real growth happens not in the noise, but in the quiet moments when we observe instead of react?
So, how about we all learn to be a little more quiet—perhaps with a bit more curiosity or stillness?
The moral is this: if you’ve questioned GNM or felt “triggered” by it (and I use that word loosely), maybe take a moment to ask yourself—could self-responsibility for your health, well-being, and every single symptom be something you’re avoiding?
You might still find yourself resisting—or coming up with reasons to hold back from fully stepping into it.
That’s when I realised something important: GNM is a belief, a lens through which we view the world, and it won’t be for everyone.
And that’s the beauty of the spectrum.
Most people want healing without change. GNM doesn’t offer that option. You don’t have to stay where you are—you get to choose. It’s not about being right; it’s about being willing to see yourself—and your symptoms—through a new lens.
Abigail