Recently, I've connected with three friends from years past that I don't get to see very often. Each of these ladies is from a different chapter of my life. Each of them is insightful, intelligent, kind, and ambitious. Each of them is the type of friend that even though we lost touch for one reason or another, one call or text and we are back to chatting like we never paused.
Each of them is also at a crossroads of life.
"I have an opportunity in front of me and I'm evaluating which way to take it." This was my friend since elementary school's opening line. She has been a business owner in a predominantly male industry for her entire 25+ year career. She has turned a struggling business during Covid into a powerhouse in the state and had a record year last year. She is educated yet intuitive, decisive yet caring, and driven yet down to earth.
And now, she's working on an idea that could be even bigger than the business she already has built. One that lights her up but also comes with some risk. An idea that she can't stop considering and strategizing around. But an idea that she needs to make some decisions on and move forward with as she is going in circles in her head.
"I'm ready to do something new but I don't know what." This friend and I met on Kindergarten parent night, as we were both overwhelmed and a bit teary for our babies to be there already. When her oldest was about six months old, they decided for her to leave her marketing position and stay home. They welcomed a second child a few years later and how she's been home for eleven years.
She has loved it. She is a regular on school field trips and volunteers at nearly all PTA events. They have enjoyed summer trips and not having to pay for regular daycare not to mention the freedom of having her available for sick days and holidays. She has also cultivated a network marketing business for herself which she has enjoyed on nights and weekends, bringing in some extra money for fun things and vacation splurges. But, now that the kids are older and less physically needy, she is ready to see what the professional side of her could do.
She is feeling the tug for something to challenge her brain and expand her days a bit. She liked so many aspects of her marketing career, but having been "out of it" for a decade, she isn't sure she would enjoy that or that her skills are still relevant. She craves the adult side of conversations but also, needs some flexibility if she would take a "regular" job again.
"Can one be burnt out on work and life? Cause that's exactly how I feel." This text from my sweet friend broke my heart but also felt so very close to home. She continued to say how everything felt heavy and like too much effort to even plan a day off. She is looking for some help to break this cycle and it can not come soon enough.
I assured her that YES you can be burned out on all facets of life and it's OK. I reminded her that SO MANY of us have been there or are there now.
We exchanged a few more texts and agreed to talk after work that day. She regularly has a 10 hours+ day with a demanding executive position and a significant commute to boot. She is a fabulous gluten-free cook, a doting aunt, and fun as can be out on the boat each summer.
But she is tired. She is exhausted on all fronts really. Feeling like there HAS to be more to life than work, commute, eat, sleep, repeat. Knowing she can't go much longer holding this weight but also, finding a path forward is also just too heavy to carry. She wants to feel better and get back some joy but needs some motivation and support to make a plan and shake this very real daily struggle.
Oh how I love these friends and so many others that can relate. Love and genuine support of my friends have been in my DNA well before my life coaching certification but now with the skills I've learned, I feel so blessed to be able to help my friends through these life questions and crossroads on a deeper level.
Sometimes you need someone who can listen and hear the messages of your heart that your ears have become deaf to accepting.
Sometimes you need the support of someone who can help you move in a forward motion and help you take the actions right for you.
Sometimes you need to know you have a safe space to feel all your feelings, someone to encourage you along the way and be available for the in-between moments.
Sometimes you need a friend and a life coach.