How Being a "Career Girl" Didn't Quite Work Out

For as long as I can remember, I pictured myself as a "career girl" – ambitious, driven, and climbing the professional ladder in a stylish pair of heels (our poor feet!). You know the one, the city girl at the beginning of the movie, dressed to the nines at 8 am and looks very very busy and important.

This vision of success was so ingrained in my identity that I stayed in situations that weren’t serving me emotionally, believing they were stepping stones to where I should be professionally.

However, as time went on, I realised neither was the case. Spoiler alert: it wasn't the shoes' fault.

The Myth of the Career Girl

Society often glorifies the image of the career girl: the woman who has it all together, sacrifices personal happiness for professional achievement, and somehow keeps a pristine kitchen in her spare time. I bought into this myth wholeheartedly and I built my entire identity around it. I believed that enduring toxic work environments, long hours, and constant stress was a necessary part of the journey to success. Turns out, it was more of a detour.

The Emotional Toll

In my pursuit of professional success, I neglected my emotional well-being. I convinced myself that the discomfort and dissatisfaction I felt were temporary, that they would eventually pay off in the form of promotions, recognition, and fulfilment. But, much like that “I’m going to learn how to bake” phase - it just didn’t happen.

The Professional Stagnation

Despite my hard work and dedication, I have found myself stuck in roles that didn’t align with my career aspirations. And, like my poor childhood hamster Snowy (RIP), the wheel wasn’t moving, no matter how hard I peddled. The situations I thought would propel me forward were, in fact, holding me back.

The Turning Point

I had waited and waited for recognition. The turning point came, like most things, at the hands of someone else, and that’s when I decided to reevaluate my path. I asked myself tough questions: Why was I clinging to an outdated image of success? What did I truly want from my career? What would make me happy and fulfilled? Did I leave my straighteners on again? I realised I needed a career system update, pronto. (But not the kind that suspiciously makes your camera quality go down.)

Redefining Success

I realised that true success isn’t about fitting into a preconceived notion of what a career should look like. It’s about finding balance, fulfilment, and joy in both personal and professional spheres. I needed to redefine what success meant for me, not for anyone else.

Making Changes

Armed with this newfound clarity, I made changes. I prioritised my emotional well-being and sought out roles that aligned with my values and passions. I learned to say no to situations that didn’t serve me and yes to opportunities that inspired and challenged me in meaningful ways. Goodbye hamster wheel, hello scenic route - no offence, Snowy.

The Journey Forward

This journey of reevaluation and change hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. I’ve discovered that it’s possible to be both ambitious and emotionally fulfilled. I’ve learned that professional success is most meaningful when it complements personal happiness.

A Message to Fellow Career Women

To all the career women out there: it’s okay to let go of outdated images of success. It’s okay to prioritise your well-being and seek out environments that nourish both your professional aspirations and emotional needs. Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept; it’s a personal journey that should bring you joy and fulfilment.

Embrace the journey of finding your true path. Redefine what success means to you. And remember, it’s never too late to make changes that lead to a more balanced, fulfilling life. It’s okay to be more of a ‘farmers market gal’ than a ‘big city gal.’?

The point is, whatever shoes you decide to wear - heels or sneakers, just make sure that they fit you.