If you follow me, you’ve probably seen a theme in recent
posts. I keep sharing about the importance of rest. The reason is because
that’s my personal focus these days- rest and recovery. I sense the deepest
part of me saying, “It’s time to do one thing,” and to do so, I’m quitting
everything. Yep. You heard it here first.
For the last four years, I’ve been building a wellness brand.
The irony is that I’ve been holding down multiple jobs in order to do so and burning
out in the process. It’s been nothing short of exhausting promoting wellness in
others to the neglect of my own. I’ve pushed through and counseled clients
despite seasons of personal pain. I’ve led others in their fitness
journeys even when I was no longer consistent in my own. I’ve taught counseling
students and helpers-in-training despite career fatigue making me wonder if my
work even matters. And even the work of branding myself as a wellness expert in
a flooded market has been a grind that's left me depleted. In a word, healing
others has been wearing me out and I’ve known for a while that I needed a
change.
Since I don’t believe in being a victim or a martyr I’m
making that change. Before the end of the summer I will take an indefinite
hiatus from teaching, personal training, and private practice. God
has graciously opened a door to one job that I believe will offer the
enjoyment and work/life balance I’ve been seeking. For years I’ve prayed, “One job. I just need one job, Jesus.” Alas, He has provided.
Why am I sharing all this, you might ask? I share because a
big part of my wellness education has come from my own personal and professional experiences. While I don’t
regret any choices I’ve made in my occupational journey so far, I do have
enough discernment to know when it’s time to make a change. What has been no longer
serves me and for the sake of my wellness, it’s time to make new choices. I
hope this empowers you to evaluate your life and do the same.
What does this mean for Gambrell Wellness? Well, we’re just
taking a little break, that’s all. I’m retiring from multiple hustles and
taking a sabbatical through the summer. But hey, I’m still an educator my
heart. I still plan to share relevant content on health and wellness. At some
point in the future, I’ll return with programs, events, blog posts and the like
just as I’ve always done. It’s just once I come back this work, this wellness
work that I truly believe in, it will be done with a spirit of rest. That’s
really the only way.
I challenge you to join me. I’m not saying quit your job(s)
necessarily. I just want you to consider what areas have you felt perpetually
drained? Can you take an extended break from them to recharge your soul? It’ll
look different for everyone. I can’t tell you what you need. I do urge you to
ask yourself though. What can you do in this next season for the sake of your
wellness? For me, it starts my just doing one thing.
