Hidden Work Shapes Your Brightest Self

“The light you bring to the world emerges from the work done in the shadows..”

I used to think this was just another catchy phrase.?

And I realize for women over 45 in STEM, especially those of us who have felt trapped, unheard, and unappreciated in corporate roles, these words hold a much deeper meaning.?

They speak to the long, quiet hours we have spent alone, wrestling with questions about who we are, where we’re going, and if it’s too late to build the lives we really want. And as I think about the path I’ve been on, I can’t help but think of my daughter, Elizabeth.?

This would have been her journey too!?

I would have wanted my Elizabeth to know that what we do when no one else is watching, when it’s dark, when we’re exhausted, or when we feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world alone—those are the moments that build us.?

Those are the times when we decide who we’re becoming and what we’re going to make of ourselves.?

And it’s in those hidden, often painful hours that we find the strength to finally step into the light.

For so many years, I felt like I was invisible.

I know I did things well, and I supported everyone around me, and put everyone else first.?

I sacrificed my voice, my value, and my dreams to “fit in,” to not rock the boat, and to be the dependable, unshakable presence everyone could rely on.?

But it’s exhausting, isn’t it??

You pour so much of yourself into your work, into the people around you, that at some point, you realize you’ve left nothing for yourself.

But then, there are those quiet hours—the ones no one else sees. The late nights when everyone else is asleep, and it’s just you, your thoughts, and a question that won’t go away:?

What if there’s more??

What if, instead of playing by someone else’s rules, you could step out, take charge, and become an entrepreneur, consultant, an expert, a leader in your own right??

What if you could actually build a career where you’re valued, respected, and fully seen for the powerful woman you are?

Those thoughts don’t come with answers right away. I remember those long, lonely hours of grappling with doubts, questioning if I even had the right to want more, if it was too late to start over.?

And that’s the work we do in the dark—the hours we spend training ourselves, learning the skills no one else will teach us, redefining our identities, and quietly, bit by bit, building the foundation for the life we truly want.?

That hidden work is our foundation.?

It’s where our courage is born, where our dreams take shape, and where we become strong enough to stand out when the world finally sees us.

I think of my Elizabeth in these moments.?

I would have wanted her to know that this journey isn’t easy, that the life I’m building now as a coach consultant isn’t just for me; it was to show her that there is always a way to reclaim our power and our dreams.?

Elizabeth and her generation deserve to grow up watching their moms shine—not just in corporate where we didn’t have the same opportunities to grow and assume greater roles because of being women, but in a place where our voice is loud, clear, and respected.?

I would have wanted her to know that we don’t settle for lives that make us small.?

We don’t settle for roles that stifle us.?

And we certainly don’t settle for anyone’s approval but our own.

For every woman reading this who feels she’s been sidelined, who feels like she’s poured everything into a job that doesn’t see her worth, her value, her intellect, I want you to know that the answer isn’t in fitting yourself into a box that wasn’t built for you.?

The answer lies in the quiet, unseen hours when you start building something new, something powerful, and something that’s yours.

Imagine the day you step out of the shadows.?

You’ve spent those nights when no one was watching, and you’ve been preparing, even if you didn’t know it.?

Those late nights and quiet hours were never a waste—they were the place where you grew, where you found resilience, and where you became the woman who will shine in a way that no one can ignore.

I have taken these steps in the dark to know what is possible for all us.?

For all of us to see that no matter how invisible you may feel, you always have the power to create a life that reflects your strength, your passion, and your vision.?

Because in the end, every moment we spend working in the dark isn’t just for us—it’s a gift to everyone who watches us rise. And when you finally step into the light, every quiet hour, every hidden struggle, and every ounce of faith you had in yourself will be the reason you shine.

If you’re ready to stop hiding your brilliance and start building the life and career you deserve, let’s connect.

Drop a comment or send me a DM about the steps you’re taking in the quiet hours to prepare for your next big move.?

Together we are stronger.

And together, we can shine a light on your unique strengths and turn your vision into reality.

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#STEMWomen #WomenInSTEM #ShineYourLight #forElizabeth??