INGRID'S STORY
photo credit: Margz & Co Photography
I believe something shifts for adults as we reach our 40s and 50s. We’ve all heard the term “midlife crisis”, but it’s not a crisis at all - it’s a huge opportunity! A chance to take all of that lived experience and transform it into the next version of ourselves. For some, that means a renewed focus on external activities such as travel, sports, or hobbies. For others, it manifests as a deep dive into our inner world.
As you may have guessed, I dove into the inner world.
Back in my 20s and 30s, I enjoyed a successful career as a CPA, working in Geneva, London and Vancouver. I’d been an entrepreneur and I even got to walk the red carpet at Cannes. I’d travelled much of the world and felt the full freedom and potential of a young, bright, privileged woman.
However, while I loved my career, from time to time I had this feeling there was another purpose to fulfill in my life. It happened during little moments, like considering a switch in university from the Commerce program to Education. Or almost ditching my finance career to become a Divemaster while backpacking through Australia. I’d see people doing cool stuff, and I’d think, “I want to do that!”
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Yet I continued along my finance careerpath and ignored those thoughts.
However, a fast sequence of traumatic events in 2006 changed my trajectory. I learned the hard way that we can be blindsided by events beyond our control. My world blew up. I’ll spare you the details, but it was not fun.
As we all do when gripped by fear, I began to play it safe in every aspect of life. The thing about playing it safe is that you stop growing. At least I did, for a while.
To be fair, having some safety from which to explore oneself is critical, but at some point the safety can feel oppressive. It was time to begin my healing journey by walking inwards.
I started attending workshops, counselling, reading lots of self-help books, and I hired a life coach.
photo credit: Margz & Co Photography
A few years later, in 2013, a freak accident occurred. I was at a party, feeling healthy and happy, and I did a martial arts kick in the air for fun - and I tore my hamstring right off my bone. Yes, I tore my body apart with a simple but strong kick. Bizarre, and devastating. Suddenly I found myself learning how to walk again. Stuck on a couch, dealing with chronic inflammation and chronic pain for years, my life was changed forever.
A funny thing happens when you can’t walk or do the activities you used to love. Your head suddenly fills with thoughts. Lots of them. All the time.
I questioned why this had happened to me. Slowly, I began to subscribe to the saying “things don’t happen to us, they happen for us”.
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Truly, I believe that my path had been altered for a reason, to give me the opportunity to find my purpose. I realised in 2019 that I was no longer interested in a career focused on business and numbers, which had given me so much satisfaction over the years.
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I care much more about people, how they feel, how to help them live more joyfully, and ultimately, how to help them find purpose in their own lives.
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The journey is different for everyone. Therein lies the beauty. Therein lies my future quest.
I’d love to help you find your own version of purpose: to live each day knowing the beautiful soul that you are, to express your soul honestly and confidently - no matter what life throws at you.
photo credit: Margz & Co Photography