Overcoming Business Burnout: How Intentional Living Helped Me Find Freedom, Joy, and Balance

I’m sitting in Café Tal in downtown Guanajuato City, Mexico, writing in my sloth journal, feeling a deep sense of joy as I reflect on how far I’ve come. When I say, “how far I’ve come,” I’m not talking about making a million dollars. I’m talking about living life and doing business on my terms, prioritizing my values, and choosing the life I want. This journal represents the slower, more intentional life I’ve created—a life filled with balance, freedom, and, most importantly, joy.

In October 2019, I decided to give myself a small luxury: hiring someone to clean my apartment in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a simple gesture, but it opened a window to something I desperately needed—time to slow down and reconnect with joy. At the time, I was juggling two businesses. Three days per week I was coaching clients and leading workshops for my business coaching practice. Three other days per week, I was running a jewelry studio in a gallery.

The month before, I had given a TEDx talk, and the months of preparation had drained me. On top of that, I had a breakup in August and had health challenges I wasn’t aware of. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically, but I couldn’t seem to stop pushing myself. Productivity was my default, and relaxation—and joy—felt almost impossible.

When the cleaner arrived that day, I took the opportunity to drive 15 minutes to Black Mountain, a small town nearby, where I stumbled upon a charming bookstore. That’s where I found this sloth journal, which became my gratitude and acknowledgment journal. Every night, I’d write down what I was thankful for and what I had accomplished, no matter how small. It became a practice I now recommend to my clients—especially those who feel like they’re never doing enough.

That day, I realized how essential free time and wandering were for my well-being—and for experiencing true joy.

I had scheduled one “pajama day” a month—a day with no commitments, where I could lounge around and do nothing. At the time, it felt extravagant. Despite my success—I had two thriving businesses and was making 50% more than my previous university teaching job—I was weary from doing so much for so long. I didn’t know how to slow down.

Soon after that, in 2020, the world shut down. Suddenly, I had more time than I ever imagined—time to rest, heal, and reflect. With so much downtime, I realized I didn’t need to keep running myself into the ground. I also realized I was ready for a change.

By mid-2020, I knew I needed to let go of my jewelry business. After 9 years of pouring my heart into it, I reached a moment of clarity one day while wrapping a demanding customer’s gift. The thoughts running through my head weren’t fit for customer service, and I knew it was time to move on. I consulted with a business coach who advised me to sell the business instead of just quitting. So I did. By the end of the year, I found a buyer, handed over everything, and walked away with only a shoebox of basic supplies.

It’s been almost five years, and I’ve only made two pieces of jewelry since.

Burnout is real. Here’s a message I wrote to myself in 2021.

But back to the sloth journal. On the cover, I had written, “Do more of what you love. Enjoy the f*** out of life!” I wasn’t sure how to live by those words at the time, but I was planting a seed to take the journey in a new direction, away from burnout.

Fast forward to January 2023, and I found myself walking through the airport in Mexico City, filled with excitement and gratitude. I had lived in Latin America before(Honduras), but it had been nearly 20 years since I had visited. My time in Mexico reignited something in me. I stayed for a month and didn’t want to leave. When I returned to the U.S., I felt like something was missing.

By the summer of 2023, I had an epiphany. After watching a decade of drastic changes in Asheville and being no closer to my vision of a partner and house there, I realized it was time to shift my focus. I had always dreamed of traveling to warmer places in the winter, but I had been waiting for the right circumstances. Now, I was done waiting.

I found someone to stay in my place during the winter, packed my bags, and in January 2024, I left for Mexico for 3.5 months. It was a test of becoming what I now call a “slomad”—a digital nomad who travels slowly, staying in one place for weeks or months at a time. I wasn’t sure how it would go. Would I be able to focus on work? Would I meet people? Could I make it financially sustainable?

The answer to all of those questions was yes. I discovered a pace of life that works for me—one that includes slow mornings, long walks, and plenty of free time.

I returned to Asheville and sold my furniture, my car, and most of my stuff so I could be a free-range human and live as a “slomad.” My lifestyle and pace are completely different from back in 2019. I spend a lot of time with friends, meet lots of people, I read fiction, do puzzles, and meander aimlessly through the beautiful streets of wherever I am almost daily. My expenses are way less than in Asheville, and I only say yes to the clients and projects that truly excite me.

I’m on a mission to amaze myself daily and live a life that I believe in. This life doesn’t involve overworking, overcommitting, or waiting for others to make my dreams happen. It’s about creating space, finding flow, and enjoying every moment.

If you’re feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or stuck, know that there’s another way. You can design a business and a life that supports your well-being, one that allows you to thrive, not just survive. It starts with making space for yourself—just like I did when I hired a cleaner and bought my sloth journal. That small step helped me see what I needed and planted a seed that led to a life of freedom, adventure, and, most importantly, joy.

You can do it too.

I have space for 1-2 more clients this year. If you’d like to work and live more intentionally, let’s talk.