I Had the Job, the Success, the Lifestyle — But I Still Woke Up Anxious
On paper, my life looked great. I had the job. The relationship.
The fast-moving career and the “white picket fence” version of success we’re all taught to chase. And yet… I woke up every day with anxiety in my chest.
Burnout wasn’t a sudden crash. It was a slow, daily erosion of peace.
An invisible weight I couldn’t name, just a constant hum of stress, restlessness, and the quiet fear that maybe this is just how life is. But something in me refused to settle.
I thought: There has to be a better way to live.
The Search for Something More
That question kicked off a journey that hasn’t stopped since 2017. Over the years, I’ve read more than 200 books on:
Neuroscience
Positive psychology
Spirituality and world religions
Mental health, peak performance, and behavioral science
I devoured anything that could help me reclaim my energy, mental clarity, and sense of purpose.
And no matter the source, whether it was a monk in India or a neuroscientist at MIT, one practice kept showing up: Stillness. Not as avoidance. But as the foundation for inner power.
Most people call it meditation.
I call it the single greatest habit that’s changed my life.
Why I Meditate Every Morning
Since 2017, I haven’t left the house without at least 20 minutes of meditation.
Here’s what it’s given me:
More emotional control. Meditation shrinks your amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear and stress, giving you more space to respond instead of react.
Increased focus. It strengthens the prefrontal cortex, improving your ability to make clear, confident decisions.
Greater happiness. Research shows meditation raises serotonin and reduces cortisol, the stress hormone.
Synchronicity. The more present I became, the more aligned opportunities started to appear. Coincidences? Maybe. But I no longer believe in accidents.
But the science only scratches the surface. Here’s what I personally experienced:
I became more present with family and friends
I broke self-sabotaging habits I thought I’d carry forever
I got more done in less time, with less stress
My inner critic quieted
And most importantly, I started to feel like myself again
A Mental Shower for the Day
Dr. Michael Beckwith once said:
“You wouldn’t leave the house without showering your body. So why leave the house without showering your mind?”
Every day we wake up and move through the world, leading teams, raising families, chasing goals, carrying yesterday’s stress, unresolved emotions, and unprocessed thoughts.
And then we wonder why we feel anxious, irritable, or disconnected. Meditation doesn’t fix everything.
But it gives you the clarity to respond to life instead of just reacting to it.
Want to Start Your Own Practice?
Here’s how to begin, no app required (even though I still use apps like FitMind and Calm):
Sit in silence for 5–10 minutes
Close your eyes.
Breathe in for 4 counts, out for 6
Let thoughts come and go, without judgment
It’s not about stopping your thoughts. It’s about observing them and choosing not to get swept away.
Start small. Stay consistent. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to Go Deeper?
This is just one of the tools I teach in my book and speaking engagements.
If you’re a high-achieving professional feeling stuck in burnout, overwhelmed by pressure, or craving a success that actually feels good, I’ve been there.
Read the full story and framework in my book. Here’s a free chapter: Success Starts Within
Book me to speak at your next event or workshop: Let’s connect
Let’s stop normalizing burnout and start building a version of success that includes your peace.
Chazz Scott | Resilience & Sustainable Performance Expert | Founder, Supra Mentem Consulting | Author of Success Starts Within
Creator of the Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™ – Helping professionals and teams break free from burnout, boost retention, and build success that actually feels good.
