There was a time when I had everything—or so I thought. A successful HR career, a reputation as a powerhouse in the corporate world, and the ability to thrive under pressure. But beneath the surface, something wasn’t right. I felt restless, uninspired, and increasingly drained. And then, lupus entered my life, slowly creeping in until it knocked me down completely.
It wasn’t just a health crisis; it was a LifeQuake, a term coined by Dr. Toni Galardi to describe a radical life shift that forces us to evolve. Looking back, I see how my journey mirrored the 7 Steps of the LifeQuake Phenomenon—a process that took me from crisis to transformation.
1. The Heatwave – Subtle Tremors
Before the major upheaval, I felt an undercurrent of dissatisfaction. My once-exciting career in HR no longer fulfilled me. I kept pushing forward, ignoring the warning signs—until my body started whispering, then screaming. Fatigue, joint pain, brain fog… something was wrong, but I dismissed it as stress.
Lesson: Our bodies and emotions send us signals before a major lifequake. Ignoring them only makes the shift more painful.
2. The Deep Freeze – The Winter of Your Discontent
As my symptoms worsened, so did my emotional state. I felt stuck, exhausted, and uncertain about my future. My body was forcing me to pause, but my mind resisted. I had always been in control, solving problems, making decisions. Now, I felt powerless.
Lesson: Sometimes, life puts us on pause so we can reassess. The discomfort of “not knowing” is part of the transformation process.
3. The Seismic Temblor – Radical Severance
Then came the break. My health collapsed, and I had no choice but to step away from my corporate career. It was terrifying. My identity had been built around being ‘Madam’—the high-achieving, well-respected executive. Without that, who was I?
Lesson: A radical severance from the past is painful, but necessary. Sometimes, we have to let go of who we were to discover who we are meant to be.
4. The Cosmic Barbeque – Ego on a Spit
Stripped of my career, my health, and my sense of control, I had to surrender. My ego resisted—how could I go from being a leader to someone who couldn’t even get out of bed? But in that surrender, I found something deeper. I turned to faith, reflection, and self-discovery.
Lesson: Letting go of ego allows us to connect with our true selves. What we lose in status, we gain in wisdom.
5. Designing the New Blueprint – You as the Architect and Apprentice
With time, I began to see a new path forming. My struggles were not just personal; they were meant to help others. I started writing, sharing my story, and reimagining my life’s purpose. I was no longer just surviving—I was creating something new.
Lesson: We are both the architect and the apprentice of our lives. The crisis isn’t the end; it’s the foundation for a new beginning.
6. Out of Manure Comes Harvest – The How-To of True Wealth
Everything I had been through—my corporate battles, my health struggles, my personal losses—became the fertilizer for my growth. My experiences gave me insight, strength, and a calling. My new definition of wealth was not money or titles—it was impact, purpose, and well-being.
Lesson: The things that break us are often the things that make us. When we embrace our struggles, they become the soil in which new dreams grow.
7. Everybody Wins – The New Game
Today, I am living my new game. Through my blog, advocacy, and speaking engagements, I am using my story to empower others. I may not wear the corporate heels anymore, but I walk with a purpose that feels even stronger. And in this new life, everybody wins—because when we heal ourselves, we help heal the world.
Lesson: True success is not just about personal achievement; it’s about lifting others. When we transform our pain into purpose, we create a world where we all thrive.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Your Own LifeQuake
If you’re going through your own LifeQuake—whether it’s a career crisis, a health battle, or an identity shift—know this: It’s not the end. It’s a beginning.
Life may shake us, break us, and strip us of what we once knew. But in the ashes of the old, a new life is always waiting to rise.
And that life? It just might be the one you were always meant to live.
Are you experiencing your own LifeQuake? Let’s talk about it. Drop a comment or share your story—I’d love to hear from you!
Reference:
Galardi, T. (2020). The LifeQuake Miracle: Awakening to Your True Purpose in Times of Personal and Global Upheaval. Wheatmark.
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