Success Story: How a Teacher Rediscovered Joy and Purpose After Burnout
- Merly Hartnett
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When this client first came to me, she was navigating far more than a career transition. She was recovering from the aftermath of burnout, workplace harm, and the emotional weight of returning to a profession she loved but no longer fully trusted.
Beyond the practical aspects of work, she was struggling with anxiety, depression, and the question of how to safely re-engage in her career without compromising her wellbeing.
Through gentle guidance, values-led coaching, and a focus on holistic wellbeing, she discovered a path forward. Over time, she uncovered not only a safe way back to teaching but a renewed sense of identity, self-leadership, and resilience.
Rediscovering What Feels Authentic
A recurring theme throughout our sessions was clarity around who she truly is. Teaching wasn’t just a job, it was part of her identity. The idea of stepping away entirely felt inauthentic, and she articulated her feelings beautifully:
“It makes it feel more authentic for me… if I’m still connected to that piece of work.”
Together, we explored what it would look like to honour that passion while still prioritising her health. This wasn’t about rushing back to her old workload or putting herself at risk, it was about finding a sustainable balance that allowed her to reconnect with her purpose while respecting her current capacity.
The Importance of a Safe Workplace
One of the first and most important questions we explored was simple yet important:
Is this a safe workplace for me?
We discussed her environment, the relationships she had, and the potential emotional impacts of returning to it. She began to see that the school she had taught at before offered not just familiarity, but a supportive community.
Returning to a school community where she had seen her students grow and thrive created a sense of meaning and continuity. It was, in many ways, a full-circle moment, a chance to reconnect with her professional identity in a safe, nurturing space.
Recovery Comes Before Resilience
One of the foundational teachings we worked on together was that resilience can only grow when it is equally matched with recovery.
For her, this meant reframing what “time off” truly meant. Recovery wasn’t just a break from work, it was a deliberate period of nervous system restoration. It included:
Spending quality time with family
Not thinking, planning or preparing for work
Fully letting go of work-related thoughts
Practising presence, rest, and slowing down
She realised that recovery was not indulgent, it was essential. By prioritising genuine rest, she was preparing herself to return to work sustainably, with her energy, focus, and emotional well-being intact.
This understanding allowed her to see that taking time for herself was not a setback, it was the foundation for a stronger, more resilient return.
Learning to Set Healthy Boundaries
Another key part of her growth was redefining boundaries. Boundaries had previously felt restrictive or confrontational, but through our sessions, she began to see them differently.
She recognised that boundaries were not about keeping people out, they were about respecting her own wellbeing and capacity.
This shift in perspective was empowering. She shared that our work together felt like more than career coaching:
“It felt like life coaching, not just career coaching… I experienced you as a wise woman who understood both the practical and the deeply human side of my journey.”
By approaching her career transition through this holistic lens, she was able to integrate her personal growth with her professional goals.
Stepping Into a New Chapter
By the time our sessions concluded for the year, she was ready to embrace the next chapter of her professional and personal life with clarity and confidence.
She had rebuilt her sense of self, strengthened her resilience, and set firm boundaries to protect her well-being.
She was stepping into the new year with:
Confidence in her professional identity
Clear understanding of her values and priorities
A safe, supported return-to-work pathway
Healthier boundaries for work and life
Renewed resilience and self-leadership
Her story is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a setback. Taking the time to nurture yourself and set boundaries is essential to building a values-aligned, sustainable future.
If you’re ready to explore your own path to recovery, resilience, and career fulfilment, book a free chat with me today and start creating your values-aligned future.
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