Where Wisdom Began
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 30
The world has gone crazy, or so it seems. And life feels overwhelming. So many of us today are struggling to reconcile our own deepest needs with the demands of life and our complicated economic, social, and political times. And this can feel exceedingly insurmountable to navigate when children, health concerns, or neurodivergence are involved.
Who I Am
I'm the coach! I'm Lorraine Bruning and I founded Wisdom At Work after the recent pandemic left me- and so many others like me- with a mind in shambles. Because when life came to stand still our minds and bodies could not. For myself, I was still a wife, still a parent. I had just taken a new job and I still had a home to manage. But I couldn't focus, I couldn't identify a purpose, and I didn't feel comfortable sitting with the thoughts in my own mind when I realized I wasn't quite sure who I was outside of my social roles, the daily grind, and society's expectations.
From that point on I would spend a lot of time working through helping others recover from similar struggles at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of McHenry County, where I worked. I pored over countless books, scoured the internet for content from neurodivergent parent creators and mental health experts, and spent a lot of time in therapy. Eventually reality hit when my daughter was diagnosed as neurodivergent- there wasn't anything "wrong" with me, just like there wasn't anything wrong with her. I had- and have- ADHD. My brain was different. The entire context of my life was different. And it was time to peel back the mask and forge ahead anew. How exciting. How terrifying.
There began the transition that anyone with any health diagnosis- mental or physical- knows. There's the before diagnosis life and the after diagnosis life. Over the years since my diagnosis I transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom for a time, had another child, and dedicated myself to discovering who I actually was and wanted to be. I decided to ask in every facet of my life- How can I make this part of my life suit me, my family, and what we want and need? How can life work better for me, rather than just continuing to insist that I work harder and harder until I burn out? I shed the expectations of how things were "supposed to be" and started asking how things could be. What did I want? How did those things make me better? How did they make the world better?
What I found was some of the most profound wisdom of my own life. And one I wanted to bring to others.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the empirical science definition of wisdom is:
"Wisdom is the ability to discern, judge, and act using knowledge, experience, and understanding to make sound decisions. It involves applying insights gained through life, distinguishing right from wrong, and managing difficult situations effectively. Wisdom focuses on long-term perspective and practical application, distinct from simple knowledge."
In meeting my own goals and redefining my own self and my own life, I've connected my professional and personal experience into something that has become one of my biggest passions: to help others find their wisdom. To help others to navigate life’s challenges, celebrate strengths, and build a life that feel like it's authentically theirs rather than the product of someone else’s checklist. In order to stay truest to my own style, my own approach, and my own passion, it simply made sense to pivot into the coaching world and bring what I've learned directly to others. But even still I wanted to make sure I perfected and legitimized what I have to offer. While coaching may remain at this time to be unregulated area of practice, I committed myself to launch my business in a way that speaks to the dedication and ethical practice that informed my education and previous mental health career by completing my training through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC) through the University of Illinois in 2025.
As you can see, coaching isn’t something I just decided to do on a whim. It’s the result of years of personal and professional experience, education, and a deep passion for supporting people in ways that are ethical, informed, and true-to-life.
My Approach & Philosophy
No one is "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps." Growth wasn't that simple for me, and it's not for anyone. I also don't believe that the end result of our efforts is the only thing that matters. Our experiences matter too. That's literally what life is. Growth and positive change require personal strength, dedication, and effort, yes- absolutely. But they also require nurturing, support, community, and yes, resources, access, and guidance! No one succeeds alone. And you are not alone!
Here’s what I do believe in:
-Ditching Toxic Positivity for a Growth Mindset: Everyone has the capacity to grow, learn, and adapt. But everyone needs the right tools and support, too. Let's be honest and intentional about what you need, and the results will be honest and intentional too!
-The Toxicity of the "Rat Race" Mentality: The lifestyle many of us are expected to exist in just to survive is exhausting, isolating, and often toxic. I see it, I recognize it, and I don’t ignore it within my coaching practice or let it define you or our work. Coaching is meant to help you thrive, not just survive.
-Inclusive, Trauma-Informed and Culturally Competent Care: Everyone deserves to lead an authentic life in a way that feels safe, respected, and real.
-Life-Long Tools: I don’t just want to give you a quick fix. I want to provide you with tools, resources, and skills that you can apply to your entire life- for your entire life.
- Individual Focus: No two people are the same, and neither are their needs. I tailor my approach to your unique goals and challenges.
-Openness, Honesty, Direct Communication, and Humor: Life’s too short to take everything seriously, or to not acknowledge and address issues for what they are when they happen. I believe in approaching coaching and life with openness, honesty, clear, direct communication, and a touch of humor.
-Empowerment for All: I’m passionate about helping women, parents, and all people harness their freedom to direct their own lives and make their own choices- without feeling like they’re drowning in the process.
Ready to Work with Me?
If you’re looking for a coach who:
-Sees you for who you are and for who you want to be
-Empowers you to build a life that feels authentically yours
-Equips you with tools and resources that last a lifetime
-Supports you in your journey, whatever it may be
-Knows the struggle, and has insight into overcoming it
...then you’re in the right place.
Let’s work together. Let’s build a life that feels like freedom.
Connect with me: