Miss South Africa 2023, Natasha Vermaak (née Joubert), recently got candid on TikTok, sharing a raw and emotional update about navigating one of the most difficult seasons of her life — and it struck a deep chord with fans.
In the heartfelt video, Vermaak revealed she’s been dealing with a mix of professional and personal struggles, making it hard to trust both herself and others.
“I’m at a point where I don’t know how to trust my intuition… or people,” she confessed. “If someone can’t keep a secret, or makes me feel unheard, I tend to push them away.”
Walls Up, But Not Locked
She admitted to retreating emotionally and putting up boundaries — not out of spite, but out of self-protection. But through therapy, she’s learning not to isolate herself entirely.
One insight from her psychologist made a lasting impression:
“Think of your life like a house — you’ve got a lawn, TV room, guest rooms, and your own bedroom. Not everyone needs access to every room.”
Some people might stay on the lawn, others in the guest room, and a few get the keys to your inner sanctum. And that’s okay.
“It made me feel less guilty. I always thought, if I can’t trust someone 100%, how can I still call them a friend?”
From Crown to Quarter-Life Crisis?
Vermaak admitted that what she’s going through might be a “quarter-life crisis”, marked by confusion, therapy sessions, and the occasional cry.
“I love getting dressed up and going to events, but that’s honestly only 5% of what life has been lately. The last four or five months have been incredibly tough.”
She added that being vulnerable online isn’t easy, but she felt compelled to share in case others are facing the same silent struggles.
Fans Relate Deeply
Her honesty resonated with many followers. One user wrote:
“I struggle a lot with this… one mistake and you’re out. I’m learning to give grace.”
Another said:
“Your words remind me that we’re not alone. 2025 hasn’t been easy, but God meets us in the middle of our struggles.”
Vermaak’s message was clear: set your boundaries, protect your peace — but don’t shut the door on everyone completely. You get to choose who belongs in which room of your emotional home.
Main Image: Bona Magazine
