Balancing the Tech Industry's Fast Pace

Written by Monika Spacilova, Human Design Professional 

In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of the 9-5 grind, in my case, the tech industry. I was also once a part of this whirlwind. Have you ever experienced or are you currently experiencing something similar? I hope that by sharing a little piece of my story with you will inspire you with practices that might support your journey, as well as shed a light on how chronic stress can impact our mental and physical wellbeing. 

The daily routine of a 9-5 job in the tech sector can be relentless. The constant pressure to meet deadlines, solve complex problems, and keep up with the ever-evolving tech world just became too much for me. One thing that I noticed which was very alarming, was that as soon as I sat down at my desk, I would start to feel like I was overheating. It was as if the stress was causing my body to run on overdrive, and I knew I had to make a change.

One of the most challenging aspects was the anxiety I experienced at the thought of going to work the next morning. It felt like a heavy weight on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. It was at this point that I realized I needed to prioritize my well-being and find a way to bring more balance into my life.

After several months of going through this, I made the conscious decision to start focusing on my health and not let this work experience become my life. Here are some of the non-negotiables I incorporated into my daily routine. 

1. Nutrition: Consciously choosing food that made me feel good in my body and fueled my energy. I focused on whole, nutritious foods and making sure that I keep my coffee intake in check (I realized that I had been using coffee as a way to manage my stress and energy levels at the office, to the point where I would drink up to 6 cups a day!) This change not only improved my physical health but also had a positive impact on my energy levels and mental clarity.

2. Meditation: I used meditation as a way to calm my nervous system. Taking a few minutes each day to clear my mind, focus on my breath, and find inner peace helped me manage anxiety and reduce the "heaviness" I felt before and during work. 

3. Movement: Maintaining regular physical activity became a daily non-negotiable for me and this is something I prioritized first thing after leaving the office, and very much looked forward to! I could feel the stress of the day just dissolve and it was a great way for me to tune into my physical body. 

4. Mindfulness: I learned to be more present in the moment, both at work and in my personal life. Mindfulness practices allowed me to appreciate the small joys of life, reduce anxiety, and improve my overall mental well-being. 

5. Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life was essential. I made an effort to disconnect from work emails and tasks after hours, allowing me to recharge and be present at home with my partner. To be completely honest, this was probably the most difficult thing for me to do and it wasn’t until about my last few weeks of working that I was really able to create these boundaries. 

Remember that you are uniquely different so some of these practices may look very differently to you, as there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to health. Your movement practice doesn’t have to be a gym session, it can look like doing a yoga session, a Zumba class, going for a nice walk in the park… it really depends on what personally aligns for you and your lifestyle! 

Apart from these practices, something that I worked on during this whole experience was learning how to shift my mindset. I always like to remind myself that the only thing I can control is my reaction to things. Most of the days at the office felt “bad”, so I really tried my best to focus on what I was gaining from this whole experience and leaned deeper into gratitude and trust. Gratitude for all the personal and professional growth, and the connections that I was cultivating. When it came to trust, it came down to trusting the process and seeing that this is exactly where I was meant to be at the time. This whole experience gifted me with the final push I needed to leave the corporate life behind and start creating the life I have been envisioning for myself; one that aligns with my values and higher purpose. 

Reflecting back on this experience, as difficult and draining as it was, I can honestly say that it may have been one of the best things that happened to me. Apart from the beautiful friendships that I created, it also taught me new dimensions of the power of nutrition and nourishment. 

I left the 9-5 life behind in June, 2023 and have since opened my own health coaching practices - something that I have dreamed of since 2018. I hope that my story and practices support you in managing your personal stress, and if you are working a job that doesn’t align with your true passions, that you feel inspired and empowered to go after what you love!