From the outside, my life looked kinda perfect. I was a highly respected and experienced OT and worked in the field of my choosing. I had an amazing husband, beautiful children and fabulous friends.  But… all was not as it seemed.

I’d been hospitalised for burnout. I’d struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression and anxiety. I was tormented by repressed emotions. I suffered with an eating disorder for over 30 years. I was highly self-critical and experienced low self-esteem.

I felt chained to my desk – often working after hours and on days off just to meet my own unrelenting expectations, before slipping into a pool of guilt for neglecting my family.

I was becoming disenchanted with my profession and starting to question whether a career change was in order. Day after day, I felt like I was simply “going through the motions’’. I was emotionally vacant and approaching a point of professional and personal exhaustion. I was essentially sleepwalking through my life. I desperately wanted to be happy but couldn’t shake the unnerving sense of disconnection that I felt from all the things that were most important to me. I realised I wanted more.

In discovering how to apply mindfulness through an OT framework, I’ve learnt a new way to live. To work.  To BE. I’ve gained the ability to process my emotions and self-regulate. I’ve successfully overcome burnout, mental illness and a lifetime eating disorder. The holistic approach to life that I now follow, aligns beautifully with my occupational roles and affords me a sense of ease, joy and intention.  And this is precisely what I want to share with you!

As OTs, we’re well positioned to help others. It’s our jam. Problem is, we don’t typically offer this same level of compassion to ourselves – not because we don’t want to, but because we’re unsure of how to.  And that my friend, is where I come in!