Making room for what is important
Just over two years ago, I voluntarily walked away from ‘safety.’ Or at least that is what my brain thought was ‘safe.’ I had a job that paid me very well, with a company that could be considered too big to fail. I had great benefits and an amazing boss. Most importantly, it was a team that I had come of age with. Granted, it had grown beyond the original members, but the core remained. They admired and respected me. I was the OG Customer Success Manager, the one who started it all.
Basking in my comfort zone
I was proud of this and wore it like a badge of honor. I could have stayed, basking in my comfort zone until I became crusty. You know the type… that person who is barely functioning and in the same job for way too long. Everyone leaves them alone because they are scary and stuck in their ways. That person who is counting the days until retirement… or death. When it came to it, the thought of becoming that person was more terrifying than what might happen if I left my comfortable and cozy existence.
Burnout is funny like that. It’s difficult to detect because it builds gradually over the years. It’s not like getting a cold or testing positive for COVID. And the shame around it can feel worse than the symptoms themselves.
Follower of shiny objects
It was time to walk away… I knew it in my heart.
It all comes down to accountability. We must remember that personal responsibility is a potent and reliable form of accountability.
My employer, like many, created the conditions for burnout. I’ve observed that the bigger a company gets, the more time and money they have for meaningless shit and with the best of intentions at times. But when the left hand doesn’t talk to the right hand, the people are left confused and disoriented.
I often refer to myself as a recovering follower of shiny objects. Saying no has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. And the past two years of reflection have taught me…
My capacity is limited. Saying yes to all becomes an involuntary no. Because I find myself:
- Drained emotionally
- Drained financially
- Exhausted
- Dissociated
- Resentful
Starting my business
Starting my own business has been the learning experience of a lifetime. I ‘followed a dream,’ as they say, and I’m damn proud of it. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I love my work. But it’s not the kind of thing that provides the comfort of a steady paycheck that I can sit back and earn half-assedly. It’s hard work and, sometimes, sacrifice.
My husband and I used to be fancy people. We went to every game, every concert, and on fantastic vacations. In 2019, when the Red Sox played in London, it was a no-brainer. And the whole world saw us on TV. We had the money and the vacation time, so we went for it. I have zero regrets about all of the cool shit we’ve done. Obviously, we had no idea about the dumpster fire that would come in 2020.
Things are different today
Today, things are different. Following my dreams has meant more time but fewer financial resources, at least for now. Through this, I’ve learned what’s important.
If I am going to eat at a restaurant, it better be damn good. I have no tolerance for mediocrity, especially if I can make something better at home with all the goodies I can access at the farmer’s market.
Concerts and games are fewer and farther between these days, making them more memorable. We will be at Mondegreen in a few weeks, and that’s it for a while.
And fancy vacations don’t seem as important now that we have our campervan. It’s better than any hotel room, in my opinion. I treasure…
The ease of it
The people we meet who value the same things
The connection to nature
The intuitive eating
The campfires as entertainment
The disconnection from screens
Break the golden handcuffs
If you say that you can’t leave a job and break the golden handcuffs, I call bullshit. You can if you know what to expect fully. It’s not all love and light. The challenges will be different. Every situation offers both pleasant and unpleasant. The secret is finding EASE and feeling fully in control of your choice.
I won’t ever promise you that it is easy to leave a traditional full-time job behind and ‘follow your dreams.’ There can be regret and resentment. There can be times when you have no idea how the bills will get paid. But there can be an abundance of time. There is creative freedom. There is an ability to showcase who you truly are and not who you are supposed to be in the workplace.
It’s not a choice to take lightly by any means. But if you are thinking about it, hit me up and let’s chat through how I can support you.
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