I had no intention of dropping a podcast episode today until I realized what today was. At the time I'm recording this, it is September 2, 2024, and three years ago, I started my mental health leave from my day job in corporate America. This mental health leave changed a lot for me and was really the beginning of my healing journey. Although I had been addressing my mental health and working on my physical health before this, the emotional health piece was what really needed work.

Leading up to this leave, I started having panic attacks, often while in work meetings with my camera off. Basic work tasks became difficult, and I felt a lot of shame because I knew I was capable of more. It wasn't until I learned that my manager was taking a mental health leave that I realized I could create space for myself too.

I felt embarrassed about taking leave; it felt like failure. But ultimately, I sent an email to my team and closed my laptop to focus on my well-being. My advice for anyone considering a mental health leave is to take more time than you think you'll need. Healing is a long journey, and I’ve learned that the things we hide from often hold the answers we seek.

I feel as free as I've ever felt in my adult life, and I can't wait for this new chapter of my journey.