Two Years of Nurtured Roots: Finding My Freedom and Forging My Own Path

two years ago, I took a leap of faith. I walked away from a comfortable, secure part-time position as a social worker to embark on a new adventure. Today, I’m celebrating the second anniversary of Nurtured Roots (well, linkedin reminded me of this!), my therapeutic social work business, and while the journey has been a rollercoaster, it’s a decision I wouldn’t change for the world.

I remember that feeling so clearly—a potent mix of sheer terror and excitement. While I was leaving the familiar structure of a permanent role, I was also walking away from a role where I felt very lonely and professionally isolated. My motivation was crystal clear: I wanted to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the work that truly sets my soul on fire, and I needed to build a different way of working to do it. I wanted to help build and rebuild relationships in families who have experienced trauma and adversity and to sit with young people, helping them navigate their complex histories and understand their own unique stories.

What followed has been both amazing and, at times, incredibly difficult. The learning curve was steep. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a social worker; I was running a business, and I had to learn a lot about the management that entails. At first, the independence felt like a different kind of loneliness.

But slowly and surely, I found what I had been searching for. I discovered that forging your own way doesn’t mean you have to be alone. In fact, leaving that isolating environment opened the door to finding my own tribe—a new network of incredible, like-minded professionals who have become my collaborators, my sounding boards, and my true support system. These connections, these new 'teams' I've built, have been fabulous in supporting my journey and have enriched my work in ways I couldn't have imagined.

This independence has allowed me to be fully present in my work and to shape my future around the areas I am most passionate about.

Despite the significant setbacks of government funding cuts in our sector, I know I made the right choice. My business is resilient. I have the freedom to seek new opportunities, to be creative, and to follow untrodden paths that may lead to brand-new adventures. The flexibility I’ve gained allows me to offer support to families in a way that feels authentic and impactful.

And through it all, there has been one constant: my husband. He has been the anchor to this entire venture, my biggest cheerleader, and the steady presence that made it all possible. I am eternally grateful for his unwavering support. This journey isn't just mine; it's ours. And perhaps the greatest reward of all has been the precious gift of more time with my family.

If you’re standing on the edge of your own professional leap, feeling that same mix of terror and excitement, my advice is simple: just do it. Trust your passion, have faith in your abilities, and take the jump. You won’t regret it.