My Journey from Busy to Balanced

For most of my life, I was taught hard work was above everything.
You work hard = you’re doing great.
You have a schedule packed so tight you don’t have time to breathe or eat= amazing.

Let me give you an example of how I ran my “busy” life. In college, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in three years. The first year I had two jobs and two internships. The second year I completed 23 credit hours of online courses while performing as Princess Belle 50 hours a week at the Walt Disney World. The third-year I worked two jobs, completed junior and senior-level classes all while maintaining a long-distance relationship with my now husband who was overseas serving our country.

I loved to be busy!

I thought my level of busyness was a direct representation of how successful I currently was and would be in life. Time to myself was a myth.

I graduated from college on May 5, 2012. May 6, 2012, I had a small backyard wedding to marry my best friend and soulmate. 2012 was about to crash down in ways I never imagined. 

So what happened?

Let me back up. My father got very sick when I was five years old. I always knew “daddy was sick” but I did not comprehend the severity. If you’d met my dad you would have never known he was battling a chronic illness. He was the hardest working man I will ever meet. He gave me things he never had and always put forward a strong brave face. His work never ended. Overtime at the office and taking care of our dogs and acres of land. Besides Sunday football and summer BBQs, it was rare for me to see him rest.

I have childhood memories of sitting on the steps leading to my bedroom listening to my parents. My mom would be begging my dad to go to the hospital. This one particular time when I was eight, he had passed out in the shower, “recovered” and continued to get ready for work. His response to my Mom's pleas: “I’ll go to the emergency room when I get off work this afternoon”.

Eight years old and through my early twenties I thought this was normal. You don’t take sick days. You don’t take care of yourself before you go to work, even if you should be in the hospital. One terrible day in November 2012 I received a phone call that I wish I could forget.

My father died at work. At his desk. Fifty years old. Close to early retirement with six months’ worth of sick days banked that he refused to use. And yes, he had a chronic illness. But it doesn’t change the fact that we must learn to take care of ourselves. In life, he taught me the value of hard work.  In death, he taught me the importance of balance.

I share my story because I am on a dedicated mission for this not to happen to anyone else. I share my story because I want you to understand how deeply passionate I am about helping YOU create a balanced life full of joy and wellness.

Now I thrive on wellness and self-care! I love to work out five days a week. Pampering appointments and rest are equally as important as my dedication to my clients and time spent as Executive Vice President of Operations for a beauty company. Time with my husband and two rescue dogs fills my soul and inspires my impact.

Whatever balance looks like in your life, we can co-create it together!

It’s possible to have enough time.
It’s possible to say no.
It’s possible to take control of your life.
It’s possible to make time for yourself.
It’s possible to have fun in your life.
It’s possible to re-write your story.