From Burnout Teacher to Living my Dream Life: How I Fired My Boss and Built the Life I Love

Become your own boss and find more time to do the things you love which will cause less stress.

“If you find a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life."

That quote hit me like lightning the day a student casually dropped it on me in the teacher’s lounge. I was slumped at my desk, drained and disconnected from the life I thought I was meant to live.

In that moment, something inside me broke open. I knew I couldn’t stay stuck. So I made the scariest, most liberating decision of my life: I walked away from the comfort of the classroom to become a full-time author, blogger and holistic guide. If you choose to read on I will share with you some simple actions I took and resources I used to make my dream life my real life.

Have you ever dreamed of laying in bed late and getting up when you feel well rested? What about spending more time with your family especially your children and finding the time to do the things you love? Suppose you could determine how you work , when you work and how hard you worked? What if I tell you that has been my life for the last two years. Like me, if you want it bad enough, it will happen. I will start you off with just a few things to get the ball rolling.

Boss is not a role. Boss is a mindset

Retrain Your Brain: Become the Boss.

We’ve been conditioned to believe working for someone else is the only path to success. But burnout is real—especially when your work isn’t emotionally or financially fulfilling. I was teaching my heart out and still struggling to feel whole, pay my bills, and spend quality time with my children. The truth? You can become your own boss. But first, you have to change your mindset.

I started here with this best-selling book that helped shift my perspective: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Small changes, big results. This book taught me how to break bad routines and build a new identity—one small, empowered habit at a time. Getting the right mindset was the first thing I did. After I accomplished this, there was no looking back.

Real Growth Happens Step-by-Step

Just like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, real transformation isn’t instant—it’s intentional.

That’s what I wrote about in my personal blog, If Caterpillars Can Fly, So Can I, a powerful reflection on reclaiming your wings, no matter how low you feel right now.

Another powerful tool that helped me during my transition from teacher to full-time stay-at-home mom was The Five Minute Journal. This gratitude journal rewired my thoughts. Every day, I reflected on what I was grateful for, my goals, and affirmations to stay grounded—even on the hard days. Gratitude is a very powerful frequency that opens up the door for abundance and blessings in your life. It helped me center joy in my routine, not just hustle.

Manifesting More Than Money

Quitting my job didn’t mean giving up income—it meant realigning my energy to attract the abundance I deserved.

That’s why I created my ebook, Manifest $10K in 30 Days: Unlocking the Power of Abundance Through Divine Alignment and Frequency, based on the exact mindset and money rituals I used to thrive financially while working for myself which has continued to yield phenomenal results in my life and the lives of others.

But wait a minute. I will not paint a picture as if this transition from teacher to boss didn't come with challenges and days when I felt a bit down. I however stuck to the principles that I learned to combat depression and low energy. Let's be honest being stuck in a job that drains you, can be downright depressing. If you are experiencing any kind depression at the moment, read my healing blog, Are You Suffering from Depression? It’s real. And it’s common. But there’s a way out.

Another energer booster that supported me emotionally and mentally during this period was a Light Therapy Lamp – 10,000 Lux

Perfect for people who are battling low mood, seasonal depression, or long work-from-home hours. It mimics sunlight and helped lift my spirit naturally.

So… Ready to fire your boss and become your own?

You don’t need all the answers to start—you just need a vision and a willingness to believe in something more. Let's start with:

Shifting your mindset with Atomic Habits

Start your gratitude practice with The Five Minute Journal

Brighten your mood and workspace with a Light Therapy Lamp

Then dive deeper into my transformation with these resources:

Read my blog: If Caterpillars Can Fly, So Can I

Check out: Are You Suffering from Depression?

Grab my ebook: Manifest $10K in 30 Days

I leave you with the advice the sudent gave me some years ago- If you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life.

Let's continue to heal together ~ Shalom Dr. Nickie Ann

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