I have always been a driven person, and I rarely don’t have goals I’m working toward. When I was in my late 20s I worked 50+ hours a week at a law firm, went to school at night, and was retraining a horse. In my early 30s I worked those same 50+ hours while planning a wedding and move out of state and studying for, and passing, my Professional in Human Resources certification. Nonetheless, I have been plagued throughout my career with the signs of stress that seem small until they eventually take over.

You see, one summer I found myself feeling like I had no control, buffeted around and heavily impacted by even the smallest stressor. I had clearly pushed myself past my tipping point. 

I had suffered a significant personal loss and was coping with my own grief. 

My workload in an already stressful and anxiety-inducing job ramped up with little end in sight and little recognition. 

My college-aged step-son moved in with us full-time to attend school.

I was unhealthy and I didn’t know what to do about it, with no time to prioritize healthy meals or exercise, especially with an expanding family.

I found myself combatting a 5 weeks long medication-resistant tension headache.

All at the same time. I felt like I had no energy and was failing or only half-succeeding on all fronts. I was constantly reacting, and poorly at that.

In a last ditch effort to get my life back under control, I came across an explanation of the eight facets of holistic wellness and it completely changed my outlook and enabled me to start to turn my life around. 

Understanding the interplay of the facets of wellness helped me realize where I wasn’t showing up for myself regularly, particularly while under stress. It helped me understand the different ways my body and psyche tell me I need to be more mindful and tend to myself (hint: it required working on the pillars I was neglecting!).

With over a decade of experience building corporate programs and processes designed around the occupational development of service professionals, I harnessed this passion and personal need to develop a low-impact regular process that helped me feel successful and in control no matter what or how many external forces were impacting me in the moment. Through these efforts, Hartswell was born.

My passion and development experience continue to expand and evolve while staying focused on aligning personal vision, values, goals, habits, and activities to move us in the right direction, even and especially while under stress.

If you have questions, or want to know more, send me a note.

All My Best,