When flexibility wasn’t possible, I chose myself—and opened the door to something greater, bridges back to what matters most.
Some decisions whisper before they roar.
They arrive quietly at first—fatigue you brush off, a nagging sense of misalignment, the quiet ache of wondering: Is this really how I want to live?
If you ignore them, those whispers don’t disappear. They only grow heavier, more tangled, until you find yourself staring at a choice you can’t avoid anymore.
Earlier this year, I reached one of those moments.
The Choice I Didn’t Expect to Make
In May, I was offered a role at Ford, and I was genuinely excited about it. I was laying foundations, shaping something meaningful, and I enjoyed the work I had started. It felt like momentum.
However, I was also clear about what I needed early on: remote flexibility. Not because I wanted less of a career, but because I wanted balance—to give my best at work while still being present where I was needed most.
Three weeks in, the return-to-office mandate was announced. And here’s the truth: I’ve worked remotely with global teams for over 15 years. Whether my teammates were in India, Singapore, or Europe, our connection and productivity never hinged on me being “in the office.” My ability to lead and deliver was never defined by the building I sat in.
So when the expectation shifted toward presence for its own sake, I couldn’t unhear what I already knew in my bones: proximity doesn’t equal purpose.
As Wharton professor Adam Grant cautions:
“To all the companies calling people back to the office full-time: Don’t mistake presence for performance. Showing up is not a sign of commitment or contribution. It’s an act of compliance.”
That landed deeply. Because proving myself in an environment that ignored well-being wasn’t a strength—it was surrendering to a system that no longer fit.
The Cost of Carrying On
Walking away was complicated. It meant letting go of certainty, of stability, of what others might call “success.”
But staying would have cost far more.
- 77% of employees say they’ve experienced burnout in their current role (Deloitte)
- 60% of workers report negative impacts from work stress—like exhaustion, reduced energy, and mental fatigue (APA)
- Nearly 92% say it’s critical that their employer values psychological well-being (APA)
For women, the weight is even heavier. RTO mandates disproportionately affect women—particularly working mothers—who still shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities (AnitaB.org). One survey found 41% of women are most productive at home, compared to 32% of men (Hays).
In the midst of my wrestling, a friend asked me: What’s more important to you—stability or freedom? Would you regret choosing one over the other? Those questions cut through my fear, making the answer clear.
The Lesson Inside the Leap
I realized I didn’t need to prove I could survive inside a system that drained me. I needed to prove—to myself—that I could make a different choice.
That I could trust the whisper before it roared.
That I could honor my own non-negotiables.
That I could choose alignment, even when it meant walking away.
And then another moment arrived: in July, I hosted a Jade & Oak retreat. It was beautiful, soulful, and everything I had hoped. Afterward, I found myself asking: What if I put as much effort into my own business as I do into corporate? How far could I go? What if I fail?
Beneath those questions was a quieter, more powerful whisper: What if you soar?
“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, ‘What if I fall?’
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?”
— Erin Hanson
That moment clarified something: sometimes life isn’t asking us to prove ourselves harder, but to trust ourselves deeper.
What This Means for Jade & Oak
This is the heart of Jade & Oak.
Retreats, rituals, sound journeys—they aren’t about escape. They’re about remembering. About reclaiming the parts of ourselves we sacrifice when we’re too busy proving about creating space to pause before burnout takes over, to listen before the whispers roar.
Boundaries are not walls—they are bridges. They don’t close us off; they connect us back to what matters most. Listening to my own voice, even when it felt risky, opened new doors: building Jade & Oak Wellness and stepping fully into consulting in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and human-centered.
A Reflection for You
If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve felt those whispers too.
- Where in your life are you compromising what you know you need?
- What boundaries have you set, but quietly allowed to bend?
- What would it look like to choose alignment over obligation?
Your peace is not a luxury. It’s the foundation of everything else.
Closing Invitation
Leaving corporate was one of the hardest and healthiest decisions I’ve ever made. And it’s shaped the way I move forward: slowly, intentionally, rooted in balance.
At Jade & Oak, I aim to create spaces—virtual or in-person—where you can do the same. Where you can pause, reflect, and reconnect with the life you actually want to be living.
✨ If this resonates, I’d love for you to join me at my upcoming Virtual Retreat on October 11th —a space for reflection, realignment, and renewal from wherever you are.
Because when we honor our boundaries and choose alignment, we create space for growth—not just for ourselves, but for everyone we impact.
