Being a Healer in Tech

Surviving, Healing, and Finding My Way '

With everything going on in the world, most of us are just trying to stay afloat. As someone who’s been stepping into their role as a healer while building a business and practice from scratch… it hasn’t been easy. With job layoffs and economic uncertainty, many people are understandably cutting back on anything that feels “extra.” That includes wellness services—massages, herbal consults, and other specialty care. As much as these services support well-being, they’re often viewed as luxuries when money’s tight.
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But this shift doesn’t just affect the clients. It impacts practitioners too. Those who are already established and those of us just trying to get our foot in the door. The result? Fewer clients, less income, and an uphill climb just to get a solid foundation.
I’m one of those trying to break into the wellness space. I had a job at a local herbal apothecary here in the city, which helped ground me in the field I love. But like many small businesses, the shop struggled after the pandemic and never quite recovered. A little over a year ago, it shut its doors for good.

Suddenly, I was out of work, with no established client base, and only just beginning to grow my online apothecary. I tried connecting with similar businesses in the area that were hiring, but despite some strong leads and good relationships, I was ghosted. Nothing panned out.

So, I leaned on my other skillset… tech… and started looking for work there again. Of course, my timing was impeccable: mass layoffs across the industry, a flood of other job seekers, and me, five years out of the field with rusty skills and a growing sense of urgency. My savings had already been depleted, and I just needed to survive.
Eventually, I found a job… but it barely covers what I need to get by. Worse, it reminded me why I left tech in the first place. The toxicity, the gaslighting, the blame games... sometimes you find a great team, but often, it’s exhausting just trying to exist in that space.
I didn’t leave tech on a whim. I left because I found something that felt like me. Something I’m passionate about and genuinely good at. I can create beautiful, effective herbal remedies that people love and swear by. But I struggle with self-promotion. I don’t want to come off like a snake oil salesman peddling fake cures. I want to be authentic. Helpful. Real. But without clients, I’m back in an industry I no longer dream of working in.

Still, I don’t regret the work I’ve done. I carry my apothecary in my bag everywhere I go. I am a healer now—it’s not something I can turn off. Whether it’s giving advice, explaining plant medicine, or offering a few products I know can support someone, it’s a daily part of my life. I overhear a health concern and my ears perk up, my mind already formulating herbal support that might help… carefully thinking through options based on their needs or any medications they might be on.
Maybe this isn’t where I want to be. But maybe it’s where I need to be… for now. This space, as draining as it is, is helping me regain stability. It’s helping me pay the bills, rebuild a little security, and gather the strength and resources I need to take my next big step.
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Because the dream hasn’t changed.
I still envision a dedicated apothecary shop—a space filled with the scent of dried herbs and handmade tinctures, where people can walk in, ask questions, and leave with something that truly supports their healing journey. A space that feels safe, magical, and intentional. That’s what I’m working toward. This detour is just part of the path. One day, I’ll open the doors to that shop and welcome people into a space I’ve poured my whole heart into.

Until then, I’ll keep walking this road—quietly gathering what I need, trusting in the timing, and continuing to honor the healer I’ve become.