I finally learned how to escape burnout & career desperation on the top of a mountain thanks to James Taylor

I'm officially 36 🙌!

As I dive into the back half of my 30s and think about the first half, I can't help but reflect on a pivotal moment that kickstarted my journey from an unfulfilled ad exec who looked to others for the answers to an empowered coach who now leads herself.

It's summer 2020, I am overworking myself into total shutdown.

With no choice left, I take two weeks off for a solo escape to a cabin outside Asheville 🏔.

Mid-trip, I discover a trail that leads to a breathtaking vista overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. I sit on a boulder, admiring the serene beauty while listening to a surprise Cabin Rock playlist that Cary (my now husband) made for me.

Then "Carolina In My Mind" by James Taylor begins to play— a song that holds deep meaning for me, a song that Cary has no idea I love.

With no warning, tears begin to stream down my face 😭. This wave of relief washing over me as I realize that in this moment it all finally makes sense.

There is a concept from my favorite book, the Alchemist of, “Maktub”, which translates to “it is written.” Maktub exemplifies the idea that some things are meant to be.

I long admired this idea but never truly believed in it for myself.

For so long my strategy for success had little to do with intuition and everything to do with control and 'shoulding' all over myself.

But as James Taylor sang, “In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina” I understood that in order to trust in what may be written for me, I needed to first trust in myself. This trip proved I could.

My intuition brought me to this trip, this mountain, this view. And the moment I heard this song I was pulled out of a very low point of desperation.

I did this by listening to my intuition! That means I can trust myself in all areas of life.

My birthday wish for all of us?

To trust ourselves, and in the universe (we all need a little✨woo✨, right?) that we are on our way to what we need, instead of losing ourselves to what we think we should want.