My journey from stressed out corporate to living a balanced life.

Nighttime was especially challenging for me. I would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, with my mind racing. Thoughts of conversations from earlier in the day, mentally thinking and preparing tomorrow’s to-do list,  and even imagining different scenarios would keep me awake. When I did eventually sleep, it was normal for me to wake in the early hours still consumed about work or aspects in my personal life where I was struggling.

I would wake-up in the morning feeling exhausted and rely on coffee to boost my energy to get me through the day. Sound familiar?

Self-doubt and anxiety crept in more frequently. I was starting to feel  lost with how my life was unfolding.

What I didn’t realise at the time, I was living continuously in what is called the ‘stress response’ also known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. This response is designed to help us in emergency situations. The body shifts all its energy resources to fight or escape a life threat. However, there were no actual tigers chasing me, but the way I was living my nervous system was thinking otherwise. What we know now about chronic stress it is the gateway to several diseases.

I had reached a point of burnout.

How a visit to the doctor changed everything

During an unrelated visit to the doctor, he asked if he could check my blood pressure. It wasn’t an unusual request, normally it was ok. However on this occasion, it turned out to be sky high. I distinctly remember the doctor saying to me that I was 10kgs overweight and that medication may be necessary.

I was horrified. Shocked. There was no way I was going on medication. I knew I needed to get a second opinion!

Someone recommended a different doctor to me, who suggested that I wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours. I agreed, and for those 24 hours I went about my usual working day, with the monitor taking readings of my blood pressure every 30 minutes.

When I returned for the results, there was a clear pattern that had emerged. My blood pressure was normal during the night and first thing in the morning, but as I travelled to work my blood pressure would start to rise. It remained high throughout the day until I returned home, where in the evening it would return to normal.

This was not a good sign.

Taking the leap…

After my visit to the doctors, it became clear that my day-to-day life and career choice were no longer working for me. My body was giving me signs that it didn’t appreciate the way things were going. It was evident that I needed to make some changes to my life. I needed to eliminate as much stress as possible and strive for a more balanced life.

After much contemplation, I made the decision to quit my job and venture into the world of freelancing.

Walking away from what society tells us to strive for in life was far from an easy choice. You know, the well-paid job that provided a comfortable lifestyle, allowing me to live in a nice place, have disposable income to go to restaurants, have nice holidays, buys clothes…etc… But this path fundamentally didn’t make me happy, it didn’t fulfil me, and it was taking a toll on my health.

Yoga and Meditation supported me through my transition.

Yoga had already become an important tool for managing my wellbeing, and here I was seeking a more balanced life. A life that would allow me to teach yoga but also utilise my knowledge and experience of marketing, to support smaller, more conscious businesses. I had been practising yoga regularly, attending a few yoga classes every week over the previous three or four years. Additionally, I had recently started exploring a different system of yoga that embraced a more holistic approach. (you can discover more by clicking here.)

This system viewed yoga as more than just physical postures (asana) and a little bit of relaxation. It encompassed all aspects of life, placing a strong emphasis on cultivating awareness in every moment through meditation and being present or mindful in all our day-to-day actions.

Yoga was my sanctuary

Going to a yoga class had become my escape. It was 90 minutes dedicated solely to myself. During that time, any work-related stress, lingering thoughts, or anxieties happening outside the room or off my mat disappeared. And I slept so well after yoga. I felt calmer and more relaxed.

Physically, I began to notice positive changes, and I became more aware of my anxiety, stress, and the unhappiness I was feeling. The inner voice of change had started to get louder and louder.

It always puzzled me how practicing yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation could provide me with such strength. Until I read an article by master Yogi Simon Borg Oliver, who explained it beautifully by saying that through challenging physical postures, we mirror the challenges of life, ultimately empowering and increasing our strength to navigate difficult situations.

I can honestly say that was true for me. Yoga enabled me to make some very difficult decisions and embrace significant changes in my life.  My friends saw the changes in me and they could see how happy I was after I made this life change.

How life looks now

It has been nine years since took the leap into freelancing.  Today, I continue to work in a marketing capacity, but I’m able to balance this with teaching yoga and meditation. I’m able to choose to work with marketing clients who fit with my ethics. I don’t make any where near the income I did previously, and I work less hours.

However, working for myself has granted me a newfound sense of freedom. I have the ability to manage my workload on my terms and shape my own destiny. Pre-pandemic, I was enjoying travelling and working from anywhere in the world. Now I am living in Catalonia with my partner Ram. I can confidently say that I am happy and healthy.

Most importantly,  choosing this path gave me space to return to study. In 2015. I completed a two-year Yoga Studies diploma in Satyananda Yoga, driven by my desire to share these amazing yogic practices with others.

I have a deep respect for these practices and the benefits they continuously give to people. When I teach a class, I believe I’m sharing the most incredible gift.

It all started with tiny steps…

Yoga has truly been life-changing for me. What initially began as a form of exercise has evolved into a way of life.

I wouldn’t expect anyone to make the drastic changes to their life as I did without careful consideration and a well-defined plan. However, I highly recommend taking a holistic view of life. If you find yourself facing burnout, stress, or anxiety, making a few small changes can go a long way in achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life.