At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we honor the courage it takes for our students to turn personal challenges into opportunities for healing, growth, and service. Today, we’re honored to spotlight the journey of Tabitha Newton, a current student in our Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program. Through her story, Tabitha shares how leaving a toxic job became the catalyst for reclaiming her purpose and building a life aligned with peace, passion, and authenticity.
The Weight You Carry After You Leave
Walking away from a toxic job isn’t just a career thing—it affects you on so many levels. I didn’t leave and immediately feel free. I actually felt drained. Like emotionally, mentally, and spiritually drained. I had put so much of myself into a job that didn’t value me, and when I finally left, I had no idea how much damage it actually did to me until after I was out of it.
People don’t always talk about that part—the after part. You leave, yet you still carry the fear, the anxiety, and the guilt. I remember second-guessing myself for a while. Did I make the right choice? Was I being too sensitive? I had to really sit with what I’d experienced. That place didn’t honor my gifts. It didn’t care about how I felt. I was constantly working hard and still being made to feel like it wasn’t enough.
So when I left, I had to face all of that. I had to realize I’d been surviving, not thriving.
Sitting in the Stillness
The first thing I did was try to breathe again. I gave myself permission to rest without needing to explain it. That was hard. I’m used to always doing something, staying productive. However, that job made me tired in a way that couldn’t be fixed with sleep. It was like soul-tired. So I sat in that space, and I started to reclaim my time, my voice, and my energy.
I wrote in my journal, even when I didn’t know what to say. I prayed for peace because I didn’t feel it yet. I had to remind myself that it’s okay to not have it all together. This healing stuff is messy. One day you feel empowered, and the next you feel uncertain. Yet, I kept showing up for myself.
Rediscovering My Purpose
Somewhere in there, I started to remember what I actually loved doing. Coaching, helping people, and creating things that matter to me. That job didn’t let me do any of that. I had been playing small. So I started thinking about how I could do things differently. Maybe this was the opportunity I needed to rebuild something real—from a place of purpose. Which eventually led to the birth of my business - Meaningful Creations Co.
Reclaiming My Boundaries
It also meant I had to look at my boundaries. That job taught me a lot about what I’m no longer available for. No more staying in places that drain me. No more ignoring red flags just to keep the peace. No more sacrificing my well-being for a paycheck. I want peace and purpose. And I know now that I deserve both.
Choosing Myself, Over and Over
I’m still figuring some of it out. Healing isn’t linear. However, I know I’m not where I used to be. I know I’m reclaiming parts of myself that I gave away without realizing it. And I know I’m stronger now. Not because I pushed through—because I chose myself.
You’re Worth Rebuilding For
If someone reading this is in that place—just know, you’re not alone. Leaving is hard. Yet staying in a space that breaks your spirit is harder. You get to choose you. Even if it’s scary. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re still healing.
You’re worth rebuilding for.
