The Importance of Honoring Everyone’s Experience
I recently had the incredible honor of meeting and photographing Diane O’Connell. I asked Diane to tell me about her organization – Sorting it Out (sortingitout.co) – and being a mental wellbeing coach and keynote speaker.
Diane shared that after practicing international corporate law for over 18 years, she felt like she was burning out and was eventually diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Diane was at a crossroads of deciding between continuing to practice law or pivoting to something that might better fulfill her passion of helping people – and also give her the life balance she needed. Diane traveled extensively for work, learning about varying cultures, and was energized when, during negotiations, she could bridge a cultural divide that would result in everyone walking away happy. Her desire to help people and her personal experience was the driving force to her becoming a mental wellbeing and inclusion advocate focused on eliminating the stigma of mental illness and embracing individuality in the workplace.
Now 4 years later, and with a bright perspective for the future, Diane is thrilled to share her passion through keynote speaking and coaching others, like her, that love their jobs but feel like they don’t fit in and are burning out.
Diane says, “All people struggle; what, why and how they do is based on their own individual experiences. These experiences are valuable and should not be silenced—we all belong somewhere and I love helping people figure out their whats, whys and hows so they can have healthy minds and healthy hearts."
I asked Diane to share her professional superpower with me. “I feel deeply and bridge the gap between my clients’ wants and needs so they can use their struggles to propel their lives in the direction that works for them.”
To learn more about Sorting it Out and Diane, click here.