The Valuable Lessons Life Made me Learn

About 18 months ago I was laid-off twice in two years. Initially I was devastated and scared. Then I was relieved and hopeful. Next I found peace and a deeper sense of self-love. Now I recognize that it was the universe getting bad energy out of my life so that I could live the life I manifested. 

I want to acknowledge that this post contains privilege and that it is based on my personal experience. I recognize that many people do not have the opportunity to make some of the choices I have had in front of me. I have been blessed to live a career that many have not, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

I can honestly say 2025 has been the best year of my career so far, and we are really just getting started. Not only did I start my own communications and branding agency, I also became a 200hr certified yoga teacher, and I now have the distinct opportunity to help young adults learn wellness practices to manage stress and anxiety. It is something I wish I had as I was starting my career. 

After many months of deep self-reflection, conversations with other burnt-out professionals, and lots of self-care, I am ready to share what has helped me create my best career path. I mean, I literally got the chance to write this on my flight back to LAX - via London - from Johannesburg, South Africa, after spending three and half weeks out of the country. Not only did I get a chance to be a nomadic worker and touch four continents with some of my best friends, I manifested this life for myself in 2022.

Here’s what I’ve learned: 

1. Companies will never care about you more than its bottom-line, and that includes some leaders and managers.

2. Always get more out of your job than they get out of you.

3. Your joy and peace in this world matters more than any status you can achieve.

4. No paycheck I have earned has ever been worth more than my peace-of-mind, including my balling tech job salaries.

5. It is very likely that you can find your life-long friends at work, but do not get caught up in the future. Always focus on now and be OK when your paths diverge. Sometimes social media is the perfect distance.

6. When you find peace in your heart, the golden handcuffs do not matter as much.

7. A manager can change your life for better or worse; always make sure you are the one making the decision.

8. I have never met a retired person who said they wished they worked more.

9. I have never found a leader whose life I wanted besides the materialistic.

10. As best as you can, always align your values with the work you are doing. Your soul will not regret it.

11. There are ways to keep growing in your career and life that do not involve a W2. Seek out work that fulfills you and the rest will follow. 

12. In my experience, walking away from a toxic role, team, and/or manager is much easier than looking yourself in the mirror knowing you compromised your values for a paycheck.

13. If you are of Black, Latino, Queer, and/or a woman climbing socio-economic levels, it is very likely you have had to “sell out” at least once. Do not make it your norm. Recognize what happened, love yourself deeply, and intentionally choose to not do it again.

14. You are not alone in how you feel and your feelings matter. You deserve peace, kindness, and joy. Full stop. Find a team that believes in this and you. 

15. Working to live > living to work.

16. Be careful who you trust at work. If they are telling you the tea, it is very likely that you are the subject of conversation in other rooms, and they are testing your reactions.

17. This one was particularly hard for me. You cannot handle disrespect at the office the same way you would in your personal life.

18. Trust your intuition more than you do the flowery words you hear from anyone. 

19. Ask yourself this often: “Am I able to live the best version of my life here [at this company, on this team, under this manager]?” If the answer is no, create your exit plan.

20. Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace. Most people are so lost in their own mess that they cannot prioritize you and your career like you need. You have to go through the nonsense to find the sensible.

What if I told you that your best chapter is still yet to come?!

With so much love, respect, and peace to you — know that I am rooting for you to WIN. There is far too much love in this world to let your fears win. You got this!

#WrittenWithLove #WrittenWithoutAI