Stretch your limits: Cara
I’m a trained lawyer and joined ING in 2017 after working several years for law firms. Private practice can be all-consuming and highly stressful. I realised I needed a change so I could make time for music. That’s always been my passion, ever since I can remember.
Finding my outlet
Music is my outlet to explain how I’m feeling. Being a lawyer and a musician are actually quite similar, surprisingly. Both require me to translate the meaning of something I want to say into a format that people understand. It’s the same process. At least, that’s how I see it.
I’m in a band called Territories where I sing, write and (try to) produce. You could describe our sound as indie dream pop. It's swishy and melodic, and doesn’t have a lot of ‘grunt’ to it. Think Jack River / London Grammar vibes.
I love the creative writing process. Performing is fun, but you don’t have as much control when you’re relying on other people on stage. Maybe that’s the lawyer in me talking.
Working for ING gave me the flexibility so I could do music on Wednesday afternoons. Everything was going great until a holiday to Yosemite National Park with my boyfriend last year. It was a day like any other. I’d got up that morning to have a shower. Next thing I knew I was on the floor.
I’d had a stroke.
When I came to, I didn’t know what was happening. I thought I was going to die, even though I didn’t know why. It was so scary. I had emergency surgery and was in hospital for three weeks. The doctors said the stroke was caused by a subarachnoid haemorrhage from a ruptured aneurism in my brain, so they put a piece of metal in there to repair the ruptured artery. Thankfully I had travel insurance.
I was always a pretty stressed person in general, so I presumed that’s why I had the stroke. The doctor said it was probably just a freak event. Regardless of the reason, it was a big wake up call.
The road to recovery
At first I thought I’d never work again. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact I could recover enough to live a normal life. I also thought I’d love being at home, but it quickly became boring. And there’s lots of stuff I can’t do now, like driving, or even drinking alcohol (because of the seizure risk.)
As the weeks went on, getting back to work became my goal, to regain a sense of ‘normality’. I took things one step at a time. Getting the groceries. Talking to people. Building my confidence with every small achievement.
Slowly I began to feel like me again.
ING has done loads to support me through recovery - staying in touch with my partner and mum regarding my progress, allowing me flexibility and support to return to work on my terms, and generally being very caring and interested in my wellbeing.
I eventually came back part time in September 2019. I find it hard to be serious at the best of times, so I tend to make jokes about my experience. It makes it less confronting to talk about with colleagues.
Getting back to work became my goal, to regain a sense of ‘normality’
As part of the recovery process, I’ve taken up pottery to work on my fine motor skills and work on the neuroplasticity in my brain. I’ve also started learning the flute after watching a bunch of Lizzo videos while I was in hospital. It’s really hard but I’m determined to do it.
A new perspective
I’m back at ING full time, with a new perspective on things. I’m lucky to have a great manager – Martine – she’s supported me throughout this whole process. I now get tired really easily, so I’ve had to learn how to be more disciplined with my energy and time. I don’t let myself get stressed out with work - I’m enjoying my job, and I’ve got a good balance with my music.
We’ve just released our first song in ages - The Words - available on all the usual music services. It feels good to be back doing the thing I love.
I’m still holding out for that record deal, or the chance to write with Julian Casablancas.
In the meantime, I’m taking things easy and focusing on me.
Stretch your limits
At ING your whole self is welcome. And that’s a promise. We challenge ourselves to continually develop and become the best we can be. In this series, employees share their personal activities outside their ‘regular’ job, and how they help them grow personally and in their role at ING.