In the lead up to my burnout, I was so desperate to find a way out of what I was beginning to consider as my hell.
For years, I had wondered what I would do if I didn’t do the job I was doing – never finding anything. I had toyed with the idea of expanding into counselling on and off for years but never done anything with that idea.
Suddenly the time was right – I was so acutely aware of the struggles and issues my colleagues and business leaders were facing, yet as the organisation still wasn’t quite understanding the impact workplace stress was having on their people, their productivity and the overall workplace environment. They weren’t alone.
Signing up to a Psychotherapeutic Counselling course is probably one of the most bonkers things I have done in my life, particularly as deep down I knew I was struggling myself.
Personally though, this was me taking control and changing my future for the better.
Despite my burnout a few months later, I have no regrets.
This course gave me focus and options over the months that followed. As I put my life back together, the course helped me discover a new determination to find ways to help support people experiencing difficulties in their lives.
I mustn’t leave out the support I got from my husband and close friends – without their time and encouragement, I may not have seen the course through. Never underestimate the power of talking and sharing.
Now, changing careers in my 40s seemed to be the most sensible things in the world. I was invigorated, passionate and I felt I had a purpose for the first time in a long time.
I still had no idea what I was going to do with my new career though – most likely private practice.
Enter Kirsty!
We met on the first day of training and by now had not only established a new kind of friendship and professional relationship, but we also established an energy that blew my mind.
When we talked about the possibilities for our new careers our worlds simply collided and eventually (after a few amateur hick ups!) exploded into Mind & Mission.
Combining our 50+ years experience of our ‘old’ careers and our ‘new’ careers in psychotherapy feels like the most natural thing in the world.
It’s taken a while but this fresh start is exactly what I need.
Thanks for reading
Louise
