Notes from the Journey…
Hi there!
Welcome to my little blip in internet. This is about venturing into understanding, growing, and becoming. It is about burnout, healing, and how to reclaim your life.
I'm Holly. I'm a coach, a mom (to both humans and dogs), a rock climber, and a veterinarian. I've been in the trenches, felt the burnout, and found my way to the light on the other side.
After 16 years in veterinary practice, giving my all, I realized one day that I hit the "wall." I had hit the wall before in my life. This one was taller, thicker, and denser than any I had encountered. It wasn't a "bad day at the office" kind of thing; it was a full-blown crash and burn
Here's what happened: I entered the exam room. There, I found a kind older gentleman. He was seeking care for his sweet, old little dog, Chica. He spoke broken English, but I could understand what he was telling me and what he was asking - “My wife passed away. Chica is all that I have left. I don’t have much money. What can you do to help Chica?”. Glancing down at Chica, I could see a large (10 cm) ulcerated mass protruding from her left shoulder. I felt helpless with what I could offer and I broke down in tears. I had to excuse myself from the exam room to collect myself and to find someone who could translate for me. How I got through the appointment is a blur, but at that time, I knew that something was very wrong. That night, I cried the whole way home. I remember thinking, “My marriage is on shaky ground, I worry about my kids, and now I can’t even help my patients.” I felt like I was showing up as the mediocre mom, wife, and doc - all at once. Ever been there?
For seven years leading up to this meltdown, I tried all the things. Therapy? Check. Self-help books? Check. Workshops, seminars, you name it—I was there. And guess what? Each try brought some improvement, but it was like slapping a Band-Aid on a wound that was hemorrhaging and needed surgical intervention. I always ended up back at square one. I felt frustrated, sad, and maybe a bit angry. One might even say, depressed.
Then, my lightbulb moment: I needed to go beyond the surface and get to the root cause of my burnout. So, I took a six-month hiatus, and that's when things started happening. I teamed up with an amazing coach. They helped me connect the dots and things started making sense.
Fast forward to today. I've gathered everything I have learned and experienced from veterinarian to coach. I'm here to let the cat out of the bag about what happened on my journey. I've soaked up knowledge like a sponge. I've attended more workshops than I can count, and racked up a bunch of certifications along the way.
This blog isn't just about me. It's about YOU. This blog isn't just about my journey; it's about YOURS.
If you've ever sensed that there's more to life and tried everything to shake the feeling of frustration, but you still feel stuck, I get it. Don’t worry, I'm here to share my knowledge, tools and also my stories—real, messy, and relatable. This is where my practical, no-nonsense approach meets your unique journey. The journey of life and overcoming burnout.
So, grab a cuppa (or whatever fuels your soul), and let's navigate this journey together. My hope is that you'll find a nugget of inspiration, a sprinkle of wisdom, or just a virtual hug that reminds you—you can do this - I’ve got you. It’s possible to create a life that's authentically yours—a life you actively shape, not just one that you react to.
Cheering you on to healing and discovering the way out of the chaos to a place of peace,
Holly ◡̈
