Taking a step back, in order to move forward

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

I started work before any of my chronic pain conditions, except my chronic daily headaches, had been diagnosed. I had definitely lived a life impacted by my JHMS, before that point. Balance issues. Repeated hip pain, that could last for weeks. Pain whilst writing. Tiring easily. Etc. But those things had been there my whole life. No one had allowed those things to be more than just growing pains.

So I started out in the working world with no clue my experience wasn’t normal. I started doing a job that had me fairly active all shift, not knowing or understanding my own limitations. Within a year I had been promoted one step up the ladder. But that was also when my body was really starting to complain about some of the more physical aspects of the job.

And it really was a struggle. On my search for a correct diagnosis, I even had to take time off work.

Work and I eventually managed to find a part of the job I could do, whilst I figured my health out. But it also made it difficult for me to perform the responsibilities of the role I’d been promoted into. Responsibilities I was still expected to do in full. Eventually the stress of it got too much. I requested a demotion.

That step back was the best decision I ever made. It allowed me the space to focus on my health. To figure out how to live and work with all the conditions I’d eventually be diagnosed with. And then, once I was ready. Once I had more experience and understanding than before. I was able to progress in my career again.

I was lucky to work for a company which allowed me the space I needed to do this. And I have never once regretted the decision I made back then. Without it, I would not be who and where I am today.