About me
A lost and confused history major, I studied history for the joy of it. (Well, that was after I hit the wall in the form of organic chem.) I spent more time with my friends at brunch than thinking about life after college.
Obviously, history companies didn’t come to campus recruiting. The only three careers I could think of (teaching high school, law, or museum work) were off the table for me. So, I interviewed with any organization willing to meet me. To a person, everyone urged me to take any offers I got, even if they all felt wrong.
Isn't it incredibly wonderful when someone truly gets you?
Just as the offers were about to explode, I came across a career coach who heard what I was saying and listened between the lines. She challenged me to think, really think, about my values. And about what I wanted my work to mean. About the culture and people in the organization I joined. She gave me space and encouragement to imagine work that fit me. I found myself doing work I loved with people I respected.
Looking back, I see how my self-identity was my success as a professional. It served me well for a long time.
And then it didn’t.
Then life happened
With each career advancement, I got a better title and paycheck, but my joy seeped away. Before I knew it, I barely recognized any of my strengths in my daily work. I hated my job. Each promotion took me further from the things that mattered most to me.
The organization’s culture left me unrecognizable as I contorted myself to be the employee who could do a job in which I knew I’d never succeed. The career that started great became agonizing. It was a complete mismatch of my abilities, personality, and values.
Finally, I had nothing left to give and no energy to do anything about it
Exhausted by the effort expended to survive each day, I had zero energy to think about a job change, never mind doing one. Nothing was left in my gas take for anything - not even my family. I strained week to week, year to year, to make an untenable situation work. Completely drained, I was hopeless and felt I’d failed at the career that had been perfect for me. In what felt like my last chance to survive, I quit with no plan. I was desperate to escape for my mental and physical health.
It took me a full year of therapy, journaling, and reading to rediscover my “self".” The recovery was slow. At first, I began healing from the effects of the toxic work environment. Then, my self-confidence came back.
Finally, I found the energy and enthusiasm that I had lost. I am still astounded by the depth of despair I climbed out of.
The fact that I could see it happening kept me moving forward
As my sense of perspective returned, I realized I had some ruby slippers. The way into my next chapter was in the wisdom of my early mentor. Digging deep into my core values and reframing my “failures” into lessons, I let myself imagine the life I hoped to have. Starting from this point, I moved forward, setting small goals, testing my ideas, making incremental course corrections, and always moving toward my imagined best life.
I finally felt like myself again – only better
On the way, I rediscovered my calling-- doing work that gives me joy: supporting others when, by choice or chance, they veer off their current path.
And so what?
If any part of my story resonates with you, let’s connect. I can guide you through the struggle to free yourself from the pain of a job that constrains you. I’ll support you as you strengthen your imagination and trust in yourself. I’ll celebrate with you during your journey into a “just right for you” next chapter, one that is meaningful and joyful.
I’ve been where you are and made it back. I know I can help you.