Healing is the New Hustle
Healing is the New Hustle: A Personal Journey to Finding Carve Your Own Path
Hey everyone, Amanda here. If you'd asked me about "the hustle" a few years ago, I'd have thought about endless work and grinding until you drop. But things have shifted. Now, I believe that healing is the new hustle, and that meaningful success comes from prioritizing our inner well-being. This belief is why I founded our non-profit, Carve Your Own Path (CYOP), to create affirming spaces for all, especially for LGBTQIA+ individuals and those navigating big life changes.
From Burnout to a New Path
My personal journey to this philosophy wasn't a straight line. It began when I was a community mental health worker, completely burnt out. I was battling serious physical health issues, grappling with active suicidal thoughts, and taking immense amounts of time off. It became terrifyingly clear that I couldn’t survive on that path, so I quit my job without another one lined up—purely for my survival. This pivot wasn't just a career change; it was a fundamental shift in my approach to well-being. It was during this time that I began laying the groundwork for CYOP. My experience taught me that traditional therapy often falls short for marginalized communities and that genuine healing needs to go "beyond the bubble bath".
Our Holistic Philosophy
This became the core of our holistic approach at CYOP. We recognize that our bodies aren’t machines and that constant stress from chasing an unrealistic "hustle" can severely impact our health. This was my reality, and it led me to a crucial concept I now teach in my professional development training, "Self-care: Beyond the Bubble Bath". Healing work, I've learned, is a constant practice. It's about prioritizing self-care, utilizing mentors, and maintaining clear work-life boundaries. Crucially, it's about making time for play and fun.
Success Rooted in Community
This shift toward "healing as the new hustle" is revolutionizing modern entrepreneurship. Mission-driven businesses like ours realize that true success is tied to the well-being of everyone involved. This new approach is about:
Prioritizing Well-being: We offer wellness programs to meet a growing demand.
Keeping it Real: We embrace authenticity through transparent business practices, which builds trust with clients who align with our values.
Community First: We build businesses deeply connected to our local area. Last year alone, our community initiatives led to over 1,500 direct touchpoints.
Smart Growth: The new hustle is about sustainable growth and diversifying revenue to build stable foundations. Our last annual report showed a 15% increase in diversified revenue, enabling us to serve 25% more individuals in need.
Ultimately, this healing work shows that business is about more than just profit. It's about financially sound organizations deeply committed to purpose, well-being, and making a real, lasting difference in the world.
Read More in H.A.N.N.A. Magazine
The full story of this journey and how it shaped the vision for Carve Your Own Path was recently featured in H.A.N.N.A. Magazine. I'm honored to have shared this perspective on healing, authenticity, and how business can be a force for good. You can read the full feature here.