MEMBER PERSPECTIVE: TAKE TIME TO RECHARGE

By Kaled Rocha, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Boston, MA

I recently took some time off and was surprised at how difficult it was to completely disconnect from work and enjoy my vacation. I knew I needed this time to recharge, deal with the anxiety of everyday life and take care of myself. But I still found it a challenge.

Over the years, I have realized how important mental health is to me, and how addressing my anxieties has helped me unlock more of who I am. This has helped me to attract opportunities I had never thought of before.

What helps me feel confident about sharing my journey is learning that many people have their own experience with mental health issues. Spreading their stories is essential for understanding that this is a journey we all share, no matter how unique it is to you.

Toto Wolff, the Team Principal for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, is an active proponent of mental health. He is someone I look up to for stories of understanding how he is dealing with his mental health journey so I can better deal with mine.

As Wolff says, “I’ve been in dark places quite a few times. And it doesn’t last just a day or a week; it can go on for months…But it can make you so much stronger because there is so much introspection, so much analysis about your life. This sensitivity that is being given to you, which felt like a burden, can actually be a superpower because you just simply feel your environment much more.”

Listen to this amazing podcast! Let’s talk about what you thought about the podcast and your own journey with mental health.

And if you are wondering, I was eventually able to relax and be more present during my time off, thanks to all the work and strategies I have learned during my mental health journey. Let’s keep growing!

If you’d like to connect with Kaled, reach out at Kaled.Rocha@gmail.com.