I quit my 6-figure consulting job for a low-wage position at a medical spa and cured my burnout. I needed to reflect on my workaholism.
I didn't realize it while I was there, but I lived my dream life when I worked at a nonprofit in the J-1 Visa Work and Travel program.
I placed international students from all over the world into jobs throughout the Midwest. I often had students stay with our family in our home, and it was a unique way for my kids to learn about other cultures.
When I lost this job after 13 years, I took it hard and aimed high for a new six-figure consulting gig so I wouldn't lose out on income. I realized that wasn't the right fit — now I work the front desk at a med spa and work on my own business on the side.
I saw the world like a local at the nonprofit
We traveled and experienced the cultures through our local partnerships in each country we visited. This job afforded me the ability to travel when I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I didn't make much, about $52,000 in my last year, but I always considered the travel perks a benefit beyond my wages.
We learned the political views of the locals and had real conversations about the relationships between our country and theirs. I often left fascinated and with a deeper understanding of how other cultures view the US.
In 2019 and 2020, I had incredibly busy years
Over five months, I traveled to New York and Washington, DC, as well as to China, Italy, and Romania. Although I loved the travel, it put a ton of pressure on my family.
When I was in Italy in 2020, things were starting to shut down in Europe. I foresaw what was coming and knew it would happen in the US soon.
In June of 2020, because there was no travel, our entire company shut down, and I lost my job. Even though I knew it was coming, it was still devastating.
I was homeschooling my kids and didn't think I could manage starting a new job while trying to educate them during lockdown. I earned a copywriting certification, got referrals from within that certification program, and took on some consulting work for influencers.
I was making six figures by my second full year as a consultant
I worked all the time, and the clients I worked with were demanding and didn't respect my boundaries. I often got messages while on vacation, on weekends, and late into the evenings.
I burned out fast, sometimes working 16 to 20-hour days. The money wasn't worth the headaches, and I developed chronic health conditions from the long hours at my desk without any physical activity.
I hated it. I couldn't sleep, and I always had the weight of other people's businesses on my mind.
In 2024, I gave it all up
After four years, I let the last of my clients go and left the digital marketing industry. I never felt better, except that I had no income and no plan. I just knew I was done working with high-maintenance influencers.
I started searching for a new career path. I'd worked from home for 18 years, so it was hard to think about going back to an office. I felt like it would crush my soul.
I found a job as a cryotherapy spa technician
It was a low-wage, $15-an-hour job with the possibility of commissions from sales. It sounded like a breath of fresh air — just the escape I was looking for. I could go home and sleep at night without worrying about everyone else's business. I applied and started working two days a week and every other weekend.
I thought it would be a temporary job to fill an income gap while I got my own business off the ground. I decided to build an AI automation business because it would allow me to use my writing skills and tech interests to help people generate better leads. It would also allow me to work with many different types of businesses that are not internet marketing, which I was looking to move away from.
I loved my job at the spa
Many of the clients became friends, and before I knew it, my schedule was filled and I was making sales regularly.
The other added benefit is that I get to use the cryotherapy equipment on myself. I've lost inches around my waist, and it's tightened up my jawline. I have so much more confidence, and I'm focusing on my health and well-being — something I had put to the wayside while I was working as a consultant.
Working at the spa has also given me time to reflect on my tendency toward workaholism
As I turned 50, I needed to consider how I wanted to spend the last 15 years of my career. Upon reflection, I loved the people I worked with at the nonprofit and how I got to experience the world. Truthfully, though, I had to depend on a lot of people when I was gone.
My parents and others helped me out with my kids while I traveled, and I missed a lot. My kids often sobbed when I would leave, and my husband dreaded it. Even if I hadn't lost my job due to the lockdown, I wouldn't have been able to work at the nonprofit much longer.
I'm still figuring out what's next for me
I know I can't stay at the spa forever. My AI automation software business is picking up, but I'm acutely aware of my old patterns of workaholism resurfacing.
Just when I think I have it figured out, we're hearing rumblings of economic downturn. It's possible I may stay at the spa longer than I originally expected.
I'll adjust my automation business to strictly working with corporations at a certain revenue level, so I know they can afford my services. Right now, I'm taking it day by day.
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