Confronting Your Past is True Healing: From Burnout to Breakthrough

I want to share a story with you about hitting my rock bottom and climbing my way back out of the ditch. 

I was a teacher, I liked it at first and I studied for years to make it happen and to be able to give my best to my students. After several years I HAD to quit, and let me tell you, leaving my teaching career was not a choice I made willingly. Burnout and misery had taken such a toll on me that my husband had to intervene. And despite hating every second of being in the classroom, I would have continued trudging through the stress and anxiety if it wasn’t for his help. When I left, I was thrust into the role of being a stay-at-home mom, a vision I never had for myself. I always imagined teaching until my 90s, being forced to retire only when I was too old to continue. This sudden change left me feeling lost, directionless, and hopeless.

In 2014, social media was already a thing, but I wasn’t active on it. I had this impression that I was supposed to love being a stay-at-home mom because I saw other moms at my children’s school acting like everything was a Disney fairytale. My experience was far from that, and I felt something was wrong with me for not enjoying it. Every day felt defeating, and I constantly felt like I wasn’t measuring up as a teacher, mom, or wife. Leaving my teaching career was supposed to alleviate my misery, but it didn’t.

By November of that year, I was having unhealthy thoughts about my life and felt the need to escape. I didn’t want this to be my legacy for my daughters or my marriage, so I decided to seek out therapy. I expected a quick fix for my identity crisis, but therapy revealed so much more. It forced me to confront the trauma in my past, including codependency, enmeshment, anxiety, childhood emotional neglect, and domestic violence from a high school boyfriend. These revelations came faster than I could process, but I knew I had to do something about it.

Here’s where the transformation really started! 

I ripped off the mask of my identity crisis and dove headfirst into the work. I realized that my childhood trauma, domestic violence, and generational trauma were affecting my life and my daughters’ future. The healing journey was not easy; it was frustrating, overwhelming, and often felt impossible. However, as I continued the work, I noticed significant improvements in my mental health. I was less anxious and no longer felt like a ticking time bomb. I learned to control what was within my power and let go of what wasn’t.

Through therapy, I identified my triggers but hadn’t developed plans to manage them. It wasn’t until I started working with a life coach that I was actually able to work on my limiting beliefs and change their meanings. This was a game-changer for my mental health. I also noticed improvements in my physical health. I was sleeping better, not from sheer exhaustion but from a normal level of tiredness. I experienced fewer worry spirals and overanalyzing thought loops. I made time to eat better and exercise, even training for a 5k and a 10k. These new experiences were opportunities I wouldn’t have given myself before.

The healing journey also led to significant personal growth. I became more self-aware of my behaviors and how others’ actions affected me. I could bounce back from triggers and upsets much faster. Most importantly, I developed better relationships with my children and husband. I became more patient, compassionate, and understanding. I was more available for my kids, and we started doing activities together, like going to the zoo and park. My marriage also improved as I understood my husband’s work stress and supported him better.

I could finally feel relief!

Confronting my past trauma was daunting, but it was necessary for my healing. I realized that you can do the work without re-traumatizing yourself. It’s crucial to face the skeletons in your closet, confront the past, and move forward. The healing journey is challenging, but the breakthroughs and improvements make it worthwhile. You’ll be thankful when you get to the other side.

The journey from burnout to breakthrough is a testament to the power of healing and self-discovery. By confronting past traumas and embracing the healing process, I transformed my life and relationships. This journey is not easy, but it is essential for personal growth and well-being. If you’re struggling, know that it’s okay to seek help and face your past. The healing community is here to support you, and together, we can move forward towards a brighter future.

I’m Kim Keane, coach and energy healer, and I’d love to help you transform your life, your relationships and ultimately build a path toward a loving, peaceful life. DM me or email me at kim@kimkeane.com if you want to get personalized support, download my Free Everyday Spirituality Handbook or get my EFT Tapping Booster Session to continue making progress on your healing journey!