Finding My Way Back To Center

How Mindfulness Became My Lifeline

It was March 2020. I packed up my laptop, grabbed a few things from my desk at a major financial services firm, and headed home, fully expecting to return to the office in a week or two. Like so many others, I thought this was going to be a short-lived adventure in remote work, a fun little pause from the usual routine.

But we all know what happened next.

Weeks turned into months. Months turned into years. And somewhere in that unfolding uncertainty, something shifted.

At first, my company was incredible about keeping us connected. Weekly check-ins, virtual coffee chats, and happy hours, they tried hard to maintain a sense of community. And it worked… for a while.

But a couple of months in, the check-ins quieted. My calendar was full, but my heart felt empty. The isolation crept in slowly, like a fog. I felt disconnected, unmotivated, and heavy with a kind of sadness I didn’t quite have words for. Alone in my home office, I started to wonder: Is it just me?

The truth is, I was struggling. And I didn’t know how to talk about it.

So I started small. I looked for something—anything—to help me feel like myself again. I came across an online mindfulness challenge and decided to give it a try. There were no expectations, no pressure, just a few minutes of breathing, noticing, and being. It stood out because it didn’t require fixing anything; it just invited me to be with my feelings.

To my surprise, it helped.

Mindfulness gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a way back to center. A way to feel my feet on the ground when the world felt wobbly. A way to pause when my thoughts spiraled. A way to listen, really listen, to what was going on inside.

It didn’t fix everything, but it helped me stay present, gave me space, and reminded me that even in the mess, there was still calm to be found.

Since then, mindfulness has become a part of my leadership, consulting practice, and life; not in a perfect or performative way, but in a real, grounded, deeply human way.

I now integrate it into my work with clients, helping overwhelmed executives and nonprofit leaders navigate change, make space for intentional conversations, and build cultures that support well-being alongside results.

That’s why I am starting my "Mindfulness Moment for Leaders" series. We need more than strategies and systems; we need tools that help us lead from within. This series is for anyone navigating pressure, transformation, or uncertainty, especially those in people leadership roles who want to show up with more clarity, compassion, and courage.

Being human isn’t a liability in leadership; it’s a strength.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or like you’re carrying more than your share right now, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself:

• What’s the kindest thing I can say to myself right now?

It might be exactly what you need to hear.

Want more mindful leadership prompts and practices? Follow along each week on LinkedIn and www.inspiredconsultingsolutions.com as I share practical ways to bring mindfulness into your leadership journey.