My Journey From Nursing to Slow Fashion: How Slowness and Creativity Transformed My Life
This is my journey from Nursing to Slow Fashion!
I spent years in nursing, dedicating myself to caring for others and making them feel safe, yet inside, I was unravelling. It wasn’t that I didn’t like nursing; I actually found the job satisfying and found comfort in caring for people who were very sick. It felt like I was where I was meant to be. But the long shifts, the emotional weight, and the relentless pressure left me drained and disconnected from myself. One day, I realised I wasn’t just exhausted. I was lost.
Leaving my career felt terrifying, but becoming a stay-at-home mum gave me the space to breathe and to slow down. That slowness led me to something unexpected: creativity. Through slow fashion, I found a passion and a sense of peace I never knew I needed.
This is my journey from nursing to slow fashion. From burnout to balance, from fast-paced chaos to mindful living. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or need change, I hope my story reminds you that reinvention is always possible.
The Struggles of My Nursing Career
As a little girl, I was often told I’d make a wonderful nurse. Maybe I naturally embodied the qualities people associate with the profession: kindness, patience, and a nurturing instinct. I loved caring for my teddies, tending to them like babies. Perhaps it was maternal instinct, or maybe it was just who I was.
My mum had been a nurse her entire career. She loved it, worked tirelessly, and dedicated herself to the job. But as a child, I saw the stress etched on her face, the exhaustion in her body, and I remember thinking, why would I ever want that for myself? Yet, after years of not knowing what I wanted to do, with my sister also cemented in her nursing career, I convinced myself it was the right path.
At first, it felt like I had found my place. Caring for the sick came naturally to me. I had patience, compassion, and a deep desire to help. But as the years passed, I started to realise something. I was too empathetic and too emotional for this job. Nursing requires not just kindness and care but also confidence, decisiveness, and the ability to switch off at the end of a shift. I lacked that. Instead, I second-guessed everything. Intrusive thoughts began creeping in, triggered by the weight of responsibility.
I overthought every decision and every action. I’d linger in the treatment room, triple-checking things. Even when I left work, my mind never did. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. My brain was constantly racing, unable to relax until I returned to work, reassuring myself that nothing had gone wrong on my shift.
It wasn’t until I was on maternity leave with my second son that I fully acknowledged the toll it had taken. Nursing wasn’t my only trigger; something deeper was going on.
My life felt like it was on fire, but no one else could see the flames. I hid behind a smile, pretending everything was fine when, in reality, I was unravelling. The intrusive thoughts became relentless, overshadowing my time as a new mum and seeping into every part of my life.
One night, in desperation, I self-referred to an NHS psychotherapy service. Because I had just had a baby, I was lucky to be seen quickly. That moment, seeking help, became the turning point. It was the start of a journey that would change my life for the better.
Choosing to Leave and Becoming a Stay-At-Home Mum
After 12 weeks of psychotherapy, I finally understood my brain, how it worked and why it reacted the way it did. For the first time, I realised I wasn’t going mad or losing my mind. I was simply wired differently. Understanding my triggers became the key to moving forward more positively.
But leaving nursing wasn’t an overnight decision. I had worked so hard to get where I was, yet the reality was undeniable. It was slowly destroying me. My career had become my identity. Who would I be if I wasn’t Kat, the nurse who cared for dying people? It was a role that others admired, making people praise me for doing a job not many would do. But I had to face a difficult truth: I needed to discover who I was beyond my career.
Walking out of the ward after my last shift, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It was as if a black cloud had finally lifted from my mind. The fear was still there, after all, I was leaving behind everything I had known but the liberation was even greater. For the first time in years, I could breathe. I could focus on my children. I could decide, on my own terms, what path I wanted to take next.
Finding Creativity and Slow Living
Leaving my nursing career didn’t mean I was “cured.” I still live with intrusive thoughts, but I’ve learned how to manage them. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, and when I left nursing at the end of 2020, I never imagined the transformation that awaited me.
My first step into slow fashion came when I started an online shop for children’s secondhand clothing. I had a mountain of clothes with tags still on them and knew many other mums in the same boat. At first, my goal was simple: make it affordable for other families. I wanted to help by offering gently used clothes at low prices. But the reality of running the shop hit me hard. It became a lot of work with little return. And worse, people associated low prices with poor quality, which caused the venture to backfire.
But that experience taught me so much about the true cost of fast fashion, how it’s harming our planet, and how vital it is to slow down in all aspects of life. I realised just how deeply passionate I had become about sustainable fashion. I wanted to do more than sell clothes; I wanted to educate others about the benefits of slow fashion and mindful living.
As a stay-at-home mum, I wanted to find a way to stay creative and continue pursuing my dream of running my own business. Starting a blog became my outlet, allowing me to share my journey while helping others embrace slow fashion and a slower lifestyle. It’s a form of creativity I never expected to love as much as I do.
The contrast between my old life in nursing and my new one in blogging is striking. As a nurse, I was constantly in high-pressure situations, racing against time. But since leaving that fast-paced world, I’ve learned that true peace doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from slowing down, being present, and appreciating everything we have.
What Slow Fashion and Slow Living Have Taught Me About Happiness
As a nurse, reflecting on my work was essential to my daily routine. I loved it because it helped me stay focused, and with the intensity of the job, that focus was vital for my mental health. Without it, my mind would have spun out of control. Now, I continue to use reflection in my daily life. It’s become a tool for understanding myself and slowing down.
Slow living has taught me to appreciate the small things and to be present in every moment. I now carefully consider everything I purchase. Where is it from? What’s it made of? Who made it? These questions didn’t cross my mind before, but embracing slow fashion has shifted my mindset completely. I rarely make impulse purchases anymore; I take the time to make intentional choices that align with my values.
Slowing down naturally led me to embrace mindfulness, journaling, and meditation practices. These simple acts have helped shift my mindset from one of pressure to one of presence. I’ve learned to find joy in the quiet moments, the small wins, and the simple pleasures. This shift has been life-changing. I couldn’t imagine living any other way now.
Of course, there are days when I lose my way. Anxiety and intrusive thoughts still creep in, but I now have the tools to return to a place of peace and slowness. Those tools gained through reflection, mindfulness, and my journey in slow living have become my anchors.
Caring for people at the end of their lives taught me a profound lesson: to cherish the present and to be grateful for every moment. I wouldn’t have gained that deep appreciation for life without my nursing career. But stepping away from it has allowed me the space to live more intentionally, embracing the slower pace that has brought me peace, happiness, and joy.
For Anyone Considering a Career Change, Especially Those Feeling Stuck
The journey from nursing to blogging wasn’t easy, but it was the best thing I have ever done for my career. If you’re feeling stuck, know it’s okay not to have all the answers right now. Career changes can be overwhelming, but they’re often the starting point for something incredibly rewarding.
Start by reflecting on what brings you joy, what makes you feel alive, and what aligns with your values. Trust yourself and the process. It’s not always a linear path, but each step takes you closer to what you truly want, no matter how small. Listen to your gut. It often knows the way when your mind is too clouded with doubt.
And remember, it’s never too late to make a change. The most fulfilling careers often come after you take the risk to follow your heart.
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to follow along on my blog and join this journey towards a slower, more intentional life. Whether you’re reflecting on your own career shift or simply looking for inspiration to embrace creativity and mindfulness, I hope my experiences help guide you.
Take a moment today to reflect on your own life. Are you where you want to be? If not, maybe it’s time to make the change you’ve been thinking about. You don’t have to have everything figured out, but you do have the power to take the first step.
