Did you ever think you knew what you wanted for your life, only to have it turned upside down? That’s what happened to me 6 months ago when I agreed to separate from my employer of 11 years. I had no back up plan or other job I was jumping toward. I simply trusted my gut feeling that I could no longer work there anymore. Now I’m recovering from burnout I didn’t know I had after leaving corporate America.
Life Before Leaving Corporate America
It surprises even me that I took the chance and left. I was one of the truly lucky people that liked my job and enjoyed going to work most days. I worked in an exciting part of the automotive industry, managing research and development projects for future industry needs. While leading a talented team of engineers we worked on topics like fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen combustion, and electric vehicles. I was on an upward advancing career track, and at the time, I was the only female Engineering Executive in a global company of over 70,000 employees.
Everything was going well – I was juggling the responsibilities of family and career while still finding some time to take care of myself. I thought I had my life figured out. I thought I knew what I wanted. Until I didn’t anymore.
Last year after a private equity firm acquired the company, new management starting making major changes to the organization. The workplace environment declined rapidly, and it became clear my goals and interests no longer aligned with new management. I knew in my heart I couldn’t stay there any longer, so I took the leap and left corporate America.
Life in Transition
At the same time as this major life change, our family had just moved to a new city and my children had just started a new school. In the beginning, I spent my newly gained free time settling into our new house and neighborhood. With my practical background in Engineering and Physics, I took to completing minor repairs around the house. I rewired light switches, installed a new ceiling light, replaced the bathroom faucets, painted and touched up the walls, and built a mudroom bench.
Simultaneously, I also was searching for new jobs, updating my resume, and networking on LinkedIn. I fully believed I would return to corporate America within a few months.
Once the house projects were complete and we were comfortable in our new home, I started to slow down and reflect on my life. I thought about the daily grind and never-ending chaos of life with two full-time working parents, two kids, and a dog. The weekly schedule coordination of drop offs and pick ups, dog walking, meal planning, and school holidays seemed never ending. Every week was a juggling act and it was a miracle I never let the balls drop.
I was in a constant state of anxiously overwhelmed and didn’t even realize it. This was the only normal I understood. And unfortunately, this is true for most women in America. The expectation is to run ourselves ragged trying to ‘have it all’ and be everything to everyone, without the community or familial support of decades past. It’s a recipe to disaster that’s driving us all to exhaustion.
Life After Recovering From Burnout
Since leaving corporate America and taking time to slow down, my life looks drastically different. Upon recovering from burnout caused by the stress and pressure of working motherhood, I can now live more deeply in the present moment. I am more relaxed and calm, my sleep has improved, and my gratitude for this beautiful life has exponentially grown.
The time spent with my family is more meaningful. Before, I was physically present with my children, but mentally my mind was racing with one hundred other tasks to complete. Now I am far more mentally and emotionally present. Additionally, there is no more discussion of drop offs and pick ups, or school holiday and sick days. I can be home with them and not have work obligations to balance. This is truly a gift and I am so grateful.
The question I ask myself now is: What’s next?
I know I do not want to return to the chaotic life I was living before. But I still have a desire to put my knowledge and skills toward something bigger than myself. For now, I’m learning to listen to my inner self, and allow myself the time and grace to start something new. I know I’m incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity, and I’m not taking it for granted.
How do you manage big life transitions? Comment below!