I walked away from a national career 12 years ago. It was a fantastic job, which I loved. But it came at such a high cost that in the end it came down to more medication than I was willing to take, so I quit. I ran my own business for the next 11 years, working when I felt able. I walked away from that last year due to not being able to cope with the stress of customer contact and making sure I earned enough money each week to pay the bills. I am a tradesman by trade. I now clean toilet and love it. It is brain dead work that pays the same amount each week and leaves me free the rest of the week to time out and actually enjoy life. We are living on so much less, but for the first time in years I actually feel like I am working to live, not living to work.

Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone when it comes to work. I would have never guessed I would be cleaning toilets for a living, but feel better than I have in probably 5 years. Lesson for me - do whatever it takes to reduce your stress. There is nothing worse, there is nothing more toxic than stress.

xx