After nearly two decades in Corporate America, I had everything that looked good on paper. Steady career, regular promotions, the respect that comes with climbing the ladder. But by 2023, I was completely burned out and going through the motions instead of truly living.
The Success That Wasn't Really Success
If you looked at my life from the outside, you'd see someone who had it all figured out. I was "successful" by every corporate metric that mattered. I had a career that impressed people at dinner parties and a LinkedIn profile that told the story of steady advancement.
But inside? I was running on empty and had been for years.
Every morning felt identical. The same routine, the same dread about the day ahead, the same afternoon energy crash that no amount of coffee could fix. I'd drag myself out of my office, too exhausted to cook real food, and collapse on the couch scrolling my phone until bedtime.
I was successful, but I wasn't living.
In 2018, my husband and I moved from the Midwest to Florida's East Coast. It wasn't just about better weather – it was our first attempt at curating a life with intention instead of just existing. But even with that geographical fresh start, I continued in the corporate world for several more years, feeling increasingly disconnected from any sense of purpose.
Does this sound familiar? If you're reading this, chances are you know exactly what I mean. You've achieved what you set out to achieve, but somewhere along the way, you lost yourself in the process.
The Breaking Point (And My Sensitive Skin Reality)
My wake-up call was my body staging a full rebellion. If you have extremely sensitive skin, allergies, and asthma like I do, you know how exhausting it is when everything around you becomes a potential irritant.
I was avoiding products that worked for everyone else, spending my energy (what little I had left) trying to find things that wouldn't make my skin angry. Commercial soaps, detergents, even walking past someone wearing strong perfume three aisles away at the grocery store could set off a reaction.
The stress of burnout was making everything worse. My already sensitive system was on high alert, reacting to things I'd used for years. I felt like my body was constantly fighting me instead of supporting me.
That's when I realized my "success" was actually breaking me down from the inside out. The chronic stress, the harsh products I was forcing my sensitive skin to tolerate, the disconnection from anything natural or nurturing – it was all connected.
What Actually Helped (And What Didn't)
I tried the typical burnout advice first. Take a vacation (came back more exhausted). Exercise more (injured myself because I was too tired to focus). Practice gratitude (hard to be grateful when you feel like garbage).
None of it worked because I was treating symptoms, not the root cause.
Here's what actually made a difference:
1. I Started Small and Challenged My Assumptions
I had avoided handmade soap my entire adult life because of a childhood memory from the 1970s – those harsh, strangely-colored bars that felt like punishment for my skin. I assumed all handmade soap would be like that.
When my husband and I finally decided to try making our own soap, that first use was a complete revelation. Clean, happy skin with no irritation, it wasn't tight and dry – just the way soap should work. Modern soap making, I found out, is super customizable and perfect for people who appreciate quality ingredients and beautiful results.
The simplicity blew my mind. Here was this wonderful product with minimal packaging – just a recyclable paper label – that performed better than anything I'd been buying from big retailers. The quality of ingredients makes all the difference.
2. I Discovered Natural Approaches That Actually Work
I'd been interested in essential oils for years and more recently started exploring herbalism. There's something powerful about reconnecting with plant-based approaches that people have used for centuries – long before we were told we needed a different chemical solution for every problem.
I started replacing harsh commercial products one by one. Our laundry situation was particularly challenging with Florida's hard water, but we developed a natural formula using ingredients like washing soda, baking soda, and citric acid. No phthalates, no formaldehyde, no unpronounceable chemicals – just effective cleaning that actually works better than the conventional alternatives.
3. I Embraced "Progress Over Perfection" Sustainability
I used to think I had to be perfect – zero waste, completely organic, ethically sourced everything. The guilt of not being perfect was just another form of stress, which defeated the whole purpose.
I learned that intentional decision-making matters more than perfection. We're not perfect in our sustainability journey, and perfection isn't realistic for most people or small businesses. We make better choices whenever possible while acknowledging that sometimes budget or availability affects our options.
The key is approaching each choice thoughtfully. Whether it's switching to bar soap (which eliminates about 20 bottles per year from the landfill), choosing more sustainable packaging when possible, or supporting small businesses that share your values – progress matters more than perfection.
4. I Created Boundaries (Finally)
This was the hardest one. I started saying no to things that drained me, even when they looked good on paper. Late meetings that could be emails. Social events I attended out of obligation. Even family gatherings that left me exhausted for days.
I know this sounds selfish, but here's what I learned: When you're running on empty, you have nothing to give anyone else anyway.
5. I Found My People
The hardest part of making changes was feeling like I was doing it alone. My old friends thought I was being dramatic about ingredients and chemicals. My family didn't understand why I suddenly cared so much about what soap I used.
I had to actively seek out people who were on a similar journey. Online communities, local groups, even the woman at the farmer's market who also made soap. Building connections with people who "got it" made all the difference.
The Plot Twist
Six months into these changes, something unexpected happened. I lost my job and left corporate America for good. I am in my fifties and pivoting in order to maintain my peace and also to fulfill my purpose, helping others. I want to share my journey and the products I have created to encourage others who are struggling to live with intention, beginning with there soap choice.
When you're not fighting your own body every day, when you're not overwhelmed by decision fatigue from simple purchases, when you have energy left after meeting your basic needs, you show up differently everywhere. Real success – the kind that feels good from the inside out – looks completely different.
What Success Looks Like Now
Success used to mean achieving more, earning more, doing more. Now it means:
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Waking up excited about the day instead of dreading it
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Using products that make my sensitive skin feel calm, not constantly irritated
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Having energy left for things I actually care about (like creating products that help other people with similar struggles)
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Making choices that align with my values, not just my schedule
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Feeling connected to the work I do and the people I serve
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Building something meaningful instead of just climbing someone else's ladder
I still work hard – probably harder than I ever did in corporate America. But now I'm working toward something that feels intentional rather than just surviving until the weekend.
If You're Where I Was
Maybe you're reading this late at night because you can't sleep, your mind racing with tomorrow's corporate to-do list. Maybe your sensitive skin is staging its own rebellion against the stress and harsh products. Maybe you're successful on paper but feel empty inside.
Here's what I want you to know: You're not being dramatic. You're not asking for too much. You deserve to feel good in your own skin and your own life.
Start small. Pick one thing that's making you feel worse and change it. Maybe it's the soap that irritates your skin every morning. Maybe it's the laundry detergent that leaves you feeling like you're wearing chemical residue. Maybe it's the Sunday night dread that starts your week off wrong.
You don't have to figure it all out at once. You don't have to become a different person overnight. You just have to start treating yourself like someone you care about – because you are.
Your burnout isn't a personal failing. It's information. Listen to it.
I'm Jen, the person behind Sea Spray Soap Company. If this story resonates with you, I'd love to connect. Whether you're managing sensitive skin, working toward more sustainable choices, or just ready for products that work without compromising your values – you're not alone in this journey.