December tends to be the most stressful, busiest month of the year. It's the time when we're torn between our personal commitments and priorities and going hard at work to finish strong on the year's goals, projects, and sales.

And while we may really want it to be the most wonderful time of the year, our to-do lists overflow with expectations and obligations, causing time stress, overwhelm, and frustration.

Detaching from my professional identity was the piece that conjured heart-pounding anguish. Who would I be if I no longer worked? This uncertainty was terrifying.

On my last day in the office, our leader and I shared an intentionally long hug, and he kindly whispered, “Are you sure?”