Changing your work-life to welcome more freedom and fulfillment is a process and a journey. Here, every month, we will share stories of women who are doing it. Real stories, real transformation. This is a virtual treasure chest — full of the challenges, struggles, lessons and insights of others — which you can use to enrich your own path.

This month’s featured “woman on purpose” is Sophie Prana, a former vegan restaurant owner . She’s currently happy teaching yoga.

Describe the big shift you’ve made in your work-life. What led you to that change?

From working 24/7 basically, I shifted my work schedule to a 3 to 4-hour work day. Normally, I don´t even dare to say that because in the Matrix, it is a shame to only work 3-4 hours a day. In the communities I live now, people actually make fun of my super busy days. 

Ending up in hospital because of ulcer and excessive bleeding – that I couldn’t really function anymore – is a dramatic warning and wakeup call on what I am doing to myself. And because I was so disconnected and closed, the change had to come in a very dramatic way.

What were you most fearful of in making that change?

The opinion of my parents and friends. I don’t want them to see me as a ‘loser’ for giving up a successful business. 

How is your experience of life different now?

I feel free and happy. I wake up and feel grateful instead of dragging myself to work somehow. I love what I do, and people feel it. Don´t get me wrong, I loved being a restaurant owner as well, but at one point, things became too much, and you just try to keep it all together. You lose yourself for the business. It is always the business first and then you. I guess taking it so seriously made it so successful.

What’s your biggest concern in this moment?

Should I cut the last bondage to the Matrix, which is my apartment in Vienna? Somehow it still binds me and there are responsibilities that I have to always take care of, which means I have to go back home and sort things out. Yet it gives me the security of a little extra money. I guess I must let go the money-fear first and free myself. But it’s a hard thing for me to do because if I did, then it’s really done.

What are you most excited about going forward?

Now that I’m healed from being an entrepreneur in the Matrix, I feel that I wanna build something here in Asia. I wanna open some food-yoga-hostel place but with different intentions. I wanna create a space and not work myself to death. I want it to evolve naturally. So I know it will happen, in India most probably, but life will take me anywhere so I am open for whatever comes. I am excited to for this more mature step of building my own business. I want it to be more conscious and more connected with my needs. Only then it can fuel me and will not kill me.

If you could travel back in time, what’s one piece of advice that your current self wishes that you could tell your former self?

Everything has its own time. We don´t need to rush. There is no need to rush. Take it easy, breathe and walk slowly but steadily.

About Sophie

Sophie is a yoga instructor currently residing in India. To know more about her, follow her Facebook, Instagram and check out her website, Pimp Your Prana.