It’s Been a Year.

It's been a year.

A year ago, I sat in a coffee shop, staring into my latte and wrestling with a decision that felt impossible. I was in a role where purpose and service were at the very heart of the work—important work that made a difference in people’s lives. On paper, it was everything I thought I wanted. But inside, I was worn thin. The weight of burnout, the constant push to give more than I had, and the toll it was taking on my mental health had become too heavy to ignore.

Walking away felt scary, like I was giving up on purpose itself. But as I finally admitted to myself that I needed to step away, I realized leaving wasn’t abandoning purpose—it was choosing to protect my well-being. And in that quiet decision, everything shifted.

Over the last year, that choice has grown into something beautiful. I launched ADME, a business and brand that reflects my values of service, integrity, and community. I’ve partnered with small businesses and local shops, helping them grow their online and in-person presence. I’ve found joy in sitting across from other entrepreneurs and even rare disease parents —sometimes at that same coffee shop—listening to their dreams and brainstorming ways to bring them to life. This chapter has given me flexibility, time to learn, and the space to meet inspiring people who remind me daily why this work matters.

One year later, I see it clearly: choosing well-being allowed me to choose purpose again. The difference now? It’s sustainable, it’s personal, and it’s mine.