As I sat watching tears roll down her cheeks, I felt the weight of her pain. She’s been in her career for over 20 years. What once gave her a sense of purpose now drains her. And if she’s being honest, the decline started a decade ago. She’s only a few years away from receiving her full pension—but through her sobs, she tells me, “I don’t know if I can make it.” Her work is slowly consuming her, and it’s touching every part of her life.
She’s not alone. So many of my clients find themselves out of alignment with their values, their passions, and their sense of self. I’ve been there too. Many of us have.
We try to be grateful—for the steady paycheck, the stability—but inside we’re restless. Monday mornings feel heavier and heavier. We slap on a brave face and whisper, “I can do this,” all the while wondering if we actually can.
In my 30s, I had a steady job working for a man many called a tyrant. He ran multiple successful businesses, and while he treated me better than most, the environment was still unhealthy. I was everything from project manager to personal assistant to travel coordinator—and sometimes, it felt like I was expected to do the impossible.
Then, my dad passed away.
His death wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it still hit hard. I took a week off to handle funeral arrangements and support my family. In that space, something shifted. I saw my life, my work, and my choices more clearly.
When I returned, I no longer had the will to sacrifice myself for a job that didn’t nourish me. I gave my notice, enrolled in college, and never looked back.
That wake-up call was painful—but necessary. It showed me just how far out of alignment I had been. And once I stepped into something that truly engaged me, my heart felt full again. I began to heal.
The truth is, we all have the choice to conform—to stay in jobs, relationships, or environments that check the “acceptable” boxes, but leave our souls aching. And while I believe there are many paths we can thrive in, too often we settle into roles that feel safe or familiar, even when they’re slowly depleting us.
Not everyone wants a traditional job. Some people are meant to be artists, coaches, herbalists, homesteaders, or furniture flippers. But we’re told those things aren’t realistic. We’re told they won’t pay the bills.
Maybe you can’t quit your job tomorrow—but could you carve out a few hours each week to explore what lights you up? Could you test the waters with a side project? Could you let yourself imagine a life that actually fits you?
If what you want doesn’t exist yet, maybe that’s your cue to create it.
Here are three women who followed that impulse:
Cleo Wade
Cleo brought poetry to Instagram—short, heartfelt messages about self-love and healing that built a global community and turned her into a bestselling author.
Kayla Itsines
Kayla turned home workouts into a fitness empire, proving that social media could be a powerful platform for empowerment, wellness, and business.
Marie Kondo
Marie took the simple act of tidying and made it a worldwide movement, blending organization with joy and transforming everyday life.
None of them waited for permission. They followed what felt true and created something new. It didn’t happen overnight—but it happened because they believed it was possible.
And that’s where it begins for all of us: not with a perfect plan, but with the quiet decision to trust that voice inside that says, “There’s more for me than this.”
If you’re feeling off-track, disconnected, or worn down—it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because you’re being called back to yourself.
Whether it’s a bold leap or a series of tiny steps, you deserve work—and a life—that honors who you are. The world needs more people who are lit up from the inside. Not just surviving… but thriving.
Start small if you have to. But whatever you do—start.