Burnout: When the World Turns Upside Down

For years, friends warned me about burnout, urging me to slow down. But I was fueled by passion and purpose, leading by example in social enterprise and fair trade. Everything changed when I stepped back from Seven Women and moved to Sweden in 2013. That’s when my world turned upside down.

One morning in Sweden, a phone call from my mom shattered my peace. My grandmother was in the hospital, and I needed to come home immediately. The journey back to Melbourne felt surreal, and arriving home to face the reality of my grandmother’s passing was heartbreaking. Her home had always been my sanctuary, a place of acceptance and love. Now, that source of strength was gone, and I felt lost

Returning to Sweden to finish my Master’s program, I was overwhelmed with grief. I struggled to focus on my studies, particularly the challenging statistics course that stood between me and graduation. But with the support of friends and the power of prayer, I made it through.

This experience deepened my understanding of how crucial it is to have support during difficult times. Small gestures of kindness can make a world of difference when you're at your lowest.