Hey fellow juggling superstars! Ever heard that quote, “Just because you fit in doesn’t mean you are in the right place”? Man, does that one hit home sometimes. As working moms, we’re often masters of adaptation, right? We juggle schedules, manage tiny humans and big projects, and somehow try to keep a smile on our faces. We learn to fit in wherever we land because, well, we often feel like we have to. But deep down, sometimes there’s this little voice, this nudge, telling us something’s… off.
I’ve totally been there. A few years back, I was in a job that, on paper, looked great. Decent paycheck (hello, childcare costs!), seemingly nice colleagues, and I was good at it. I definitely fit in. People thought I had it made. But honestly? I dreaded Monday mornings. Sunday evenings were filled with this low-key anxiety. The work itself, the company culture… it just didn’t align with me, with my core values. It felt like wearing shoes that were technically the right size but pinched in all the wrong places. Every day felt like a performance, forcing myself to be someone I wasn’t quite feeling.
The tricky part? The money was good. Really good. And let’s be real, when you’ve got bills to pay and maybe little mouths to feed, walking away from financial security feels terrifying, almost irresponsible. So, I silenced that inner voice. I told myself to suck it up, be grateful, and just keep going. “It’s just a job,” I’d mutter, trying to convince myself more than anyone else. But ignoring that gut feeling? It takes a toll. It drains your energy, dims your spark, and slowly chips away at your happiness, making you feel stuck and, honestly, pretty miserable.
It took reaching a point of near burnout for me to finally admit: this isn’t sustainable. Fitting in was costing me my peace of mind and my ability to be the present, joyful mom I wanted to be. That little whisper I’d been ignoring had turned into a full-blown shout. Listening to it was scary, no doubt. There were uncertainties. But stepping away from something that looked right but felt wrong was one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done. It forced me to really get honest with myself about what I truly valued, what kind of environment I thrive in, and what kind of work actually energizes me, rather than depletes me.
So, this is just a little nudge from me to you. If you’re feeling that persistent discomfort, that sense of misalignment even when everything seems okay on the surface, please listen. Don’t dismiss your intuition just because the paycheck is tempting or because you’ve managed to blend in. Knowing yourself – your values, your non-negotiables, what truly makes you tick – is crucial. It’s your internal compass, guiding you away from situations that drain you and towards places where you can genuinely thrive, grow, and be authentically you. Fitting in is overrated; finding where you truly belong is everything. You deserve to be in the right place, not just a place you can squeeze into.
Xoxo,
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