Can we have Professional Success without exhaustion? A New Way to Work and Live
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah Robertson on the Brand Seasons podcast for a really nourishing conversation about the tension so many of us carry between ambition and exhaustion.Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah Robertson on the Brand Seasons podcast for a deeply nourishing and honest conversation about a tension many of us quietly carry the space between ambition and exhaustion.
Together, we unpacked what it means to be a woman navigating today’s expectations of success, hitting the milestones, doing all the ‘right’ things, and being celebrated for it. Yet beneath the surface, there’s often a quiet voice asking, “Is this it?” That sense that even with all the outward markers of achievement, something deeper still feels out of step or unmet.
The Quiet Discontent: Rethinking Success and Rhythm
In our conversation, we named the quiet discontent - the fatigue masked as competence, the shame that creeps in when life looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good in your bones. We explored the deeper “why” behind this disconnect, touching on the wider systems that have shaped our work rhythms, our definitions of success, and our inner “should.”
Instead of blaming ourselves for not doing enough, we talked about the radical act of slowing down, of noticing our cycles and experimenting with rhythms that actually fit us. Not just squeezing self-care into a packed week, but questioning the structure of the week itself.
We also explored leadership not in the traditional way but as the quiet courage to live and work in ways that align with our values.
Holding It All Together?
If you find yourself often bracing, pushing through, and trying to hold everything together just to make it through the day, I hope this episode offers you a gentle invitation to pause and breathe. It’s a reminder that you're not alone and that there might be another way to live and work that doesn’t cost your wellbeing. I’d love to hear what resonates with you. You can listen to the full episode below.
