This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Laura Kerr, a hypnotherapist and founder of Elle Kay . It has been edited for length and clarity. Just over a year ago, I was working high up in our local government, managing hundreds of staff and millions of British pounds. I often worked seven days a week until two in the morning. Even when I took annual leave for vacation, I'd be getting emails and phone calls from work. It was a lot — relentless. I was completely consumed by work. At