Is Your Job Draining You or Healing You?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to talk about something that often gets overlooked in conversations about wellness: your career.

We often think of mental health in terms of therapy, medication, or self-care practices like meditation and journaling (all important!). But what about the 40+ hours we spend each week at work? The truth is, your career satisfaction plays a massive role in your overall mental health—more than most people realize.

Your Job Can Either Drain You or Heal You

When your work constantly feels misaligned—whether it’s a toxic culture, unclear expectations, or a lack of purpose—it wears you down emotionally, mentally, and even physically.

I know this first-hand.

When I left my corporate job to start Madelyn Mackie & Associates, LLC, something incredible happened. In just the first month:

• I slept like a baby—no more tossing and turning with stress running through my brain.
• My skin cleared up—no more stress-induced breakouts.
• I stopped popping Tylenol every four hours just to manage my headaches.
• My body started to get stronger, healthier, and in tune with itself again.
• I was nicer and kinder to my family and friends. I stopped taking my bad day at work out on others.

All because I left a job that was stressing me out and stepped into work that aligned with my purpose.

Alignment Reduces Stress, Increases Confidence

When you’re doing work that lights you up—helping others, using your natural talents, making an impact—your brain and body respond positively. You feel more energized. You’re more creative. You trust yourself again. You breathe a little easier.

It’s not just about what you do, it’s about why you do it.

Career alignment doesn’t mean every day is a breeze. But it does mean that even on tough days, you’re rooted in purpose—and that makes a world of difference.

How to Know If Your Career Is Out of Alignment

Ask yourself:

• Do I dread going to work on Monday?
• Am I constantly tired, even after a full night’s sleep?
• Do I feel unappreciated or invisible in my role?
• Have I lost my sense of direction or purpose?

If you answered “yes” to more than one of those, it might be time to reassess your current path—and that’s OK. You’re not stuck. You’re just ready for something new.

Coaching as a Tool for Clarity

This is where career coaching can be a game-changer. Working with a coach can help you:

• Reconnect with your purpose
• Identify what’s draining you and what energizes you
• Build a realistic plan to move toward a healthier, more fulfilling career

You deserve to feel good about the work you do and the person you are while doing it.

One Step Closer to Peace

Whether it’s a small pivot or a bold leap, your mental health is worth the effort. You don’t have to suffer through stress, burnout, or feeling stuck. You have the power—and the right—to choose work that supports your well-being.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, I invite you to reflect:
Is your career serving your life—or stealing from it?
And if the answer is the latter, know this: You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

Let’s talk. Your purpose is waiting.