What I did this Summer

“I’ve done nothing all summer but wait for myself to be myself again.”  -Georgia O’Keeffe

The last time I took a summer off, I was 15. Let's just say I'm a little bit older than that now. When I decided to step away from my job at Genentech this past May—after almost a decade there—I didn’t have a clear plan for what would come next. But I knew one thing for sure: I needed the summer to relax, recover, and reflect.

The first month or two were all about rest. I’d been running on empty for a long time, and it finally caught up with me. I tested positive for COVID on New Year’s Eve, and it lingered for months. But over the summer, with no work deadlines or meetings to worry about, I could finally focus on getting better. And slowly, I started feeling like myself again.

As the summer passed, I found myself asking a simple question before doing anything: “Does this support my physical or mental health?” If the answer wasn’t a clear yes, I’d skip it. That question led me to focus on four main things: resting, exercising, spending time outdoors, and enjoying moments with friends and family.

Lately, though, I’ve felt a shift in my energy again. I’m moving away from just resting and taking care of myself to thinking about what’s next for me. That shift has sparked a lot of reflection on how I want my life to look and feel in the future—and where my skills and experiences can make the biggest impact.

One thing has become crystal clear: I have a deep desire to share what I’ve learned, not just from this summer, but from all my years of grappling with the challenges of work-life balance. I want to help others navigate this complex world in a way that feels authentic and empowering. And so, I’ve decided to start a life coaching business to do just that—to help others live their best lives.

So, stay tuned! I’m excited to share more insights, lessons, and stories from this journey.