Category: Career


Oct
2024

categories: Career, General Career Advice

We’re encouraged to be “all in” when it comes to our careers, to hustle, and to pour everything into our professional growth. But there’s a hidden cost to centering your identity around work—it leaves other parts of you unexplored and underdeveloped. When you build a well-rounded identity beyond work, you allow yourself to thrive in multiple areas of life, and the benefits go far beyond the office.

The Benefits of a Well-Rounded Identity

1. Resilience in Tough Times

When work isn’t going well- whether due to a bad day, a toxic environment, or even job loss- a well-rounded identity provides stability. Your sense of self won’t crumble because it isn’t solely tied to your career. Other passions, relationships, or hobbies can help anchor you when the ground shifts beneath your feet.

2. Increased Fulfillment

A life built around more than just work is naturally more fulfilling. It means your joy isn’t contingent on a promotion, a raise, or a successful project. (It’s vital to point out that these are all things that are out of your control. YOUR joy should come from things you can control and ideally internally). Decentering your career allows you to find satisfaction in personal growth, hobbies, relationships, or even quiet moments of self-reflection.

3. Better Work-Life Balance

Cultivating interests and relationships outside of work makes it easier to maintain boundaries. This balance can help you avoid burnout and foster a healthier relationship with your job. You’re more likely to leave work at work and be present in the other areas of your life that matter.

4. Personal Growth

A well-rounded identity gives you the chance to grow as a person, not just as an employee. Whether you’re learning a new skill, nurturing relationships, or dedicating time to your mental or physical health, the process of personal growth makes you a more fulfilled, well-rounded individual. Plus you have more to talk about then just work.

Easy Steps to Build a Well-Rounded Identity

Explore Hobbies or Interests

What excites you outside of work? Maybe it’s photography, gardening, reading, or fitness. Dedicate time each week to something that brings you joy. This will give you an outlet for creativity or relaxation that has nothing to do with your career. Cozy hobbies like reading or gaming have helped me destress from work (and opened up a whole new world that I previously knew nothing about).

Reconnect with Relationships

This is something that I am guilty of not doing. When we’re caught up in work, it’s easy to let relationships take a backseat. Make it a priority to spend quality time with family and friends, even if it’s just for a coffee or a walk. These connections are a huge part of who you are beyond your professional life. (Hack: schedule a lunch or coffee date with someone special atleast once a month).

Prioritise Your Health

Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional health, taking care of yourself should be a cornerstone of your identity. Commit to small habits like regular exercise, meditation, or even just unplugging from work at the end of the day.

Set Boundaries at Work

This is so SO SO IMPORTANT. Set clear boundaries so you can protect your time and energy for the things that matter outside of your job. This could mean not answering emails after hours or blocking off time for yourself during the day. Also, remember that no is a full sentence.

Practice Mindfulness

Being present and mindful in your everyday life can help you appreciate the moments beyond work. Whether it’s enjoying a meal, a conversation, or a peaceful moment, mindfulness can help you shift your focus away from constant work-related stress. Some mindfulness hacks that have helped me include taking my lunch break away from the office and journaling. It helps me focus on the outside world as opposed to just my desk.

Building a well-rounded identity takes time and intention, but the rewards are undeniable. You become more resilient, more fulfilled, and ultimately more grounded in who you are- regardless of what you do for a living. Start small, give yourself permission to explore the other dimensions of your life, and watch how it transforms your sense of self and happiness.


Oct
2024

What Does It Mean to Decenter Your Career?

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Mental Health

For many of us, our careers have become the cornerstone of our lives. It’s how we define success, measure our value, and gauge our self-worth. We hustle, grind, and pour ourselves into work, believing that climbing the ladder is the key to fulfilment. But what happens when that ladder starts to wobble- or worse, breaks entirely?

Decentering your career doesn’t mean you stop caring about your work or abandon your ambitions. Instead, it’s about shifting your focus. It’s about recognising that your career is just one piece of the puzzle- not the whole picture. You work to live. You don’t live to work. When you decenter your career, you give yourself the freedom to place value on other parts of your life, like relationships, passions, health, or personal growth.

For me, decentering began with small realisations. I used to define myself by my job title, by how well I performed, and how much I achieved. But after facing potential retrenchment and the loss of my cousin, I realised that no amount of career success could fill the void left behind. I had to ask myself: What is my life really about?

Decentering your career means accepting that while work can be meaningful, it shouldn’t be the sole driver of your happiness. It’s about finding balance, rediscovering the joy in things outside of work, and creating a life that feels fulfilling- whether you’re working or not.

In this series, I want to explore what decentering looks like in practice, why it’s important, and how it can change the way you view success. If you’ve ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, or like you’re chasing something that never quite satisfies, this is for you. Let’s rethink what it means to live a truly balanced, fulfilling life- starting with our relationship to work.


Oct
2024

categories: Career

For as long as I can remember, my career was the focal point of my life. (You may or may not know that I started writing at 12 and since then it’s always been my dream to have my words published in print). So even as a working adult, I tied my sense of worth and identity to the work I did, how much I achieved, and the praise I received. And I loved it- until I didn’t.

I burnt out too badly at a job I loved and my quick-fix, band-aid solution was to leave and find another job. And this worked. For a while.

It wasn’t until I was staring down the possibility of retrenchment in my “dream job”, with all the uncertainty that brings, that I started questioning what I had built my life around. At the same time, I lost my cousin. The grief was a shock to my system and suddenly, I was reminded how fleeting everything is. My priorities began to shift.

Decentering my career wasn’t easy. It felt like losing a part of myself. But in that loss, I began to see how much I had placed my career at the center of my happiness and how unhealthy that really was. In this series, I’ll be sharing my experiences and insights on why decentering your career isn’t about stepping away from ambition- it’s about redefining what truly matters.


Jul
2024

Remote Work Tips for Beginners

categories: Career, General Career Advice

So you’ve just gotten your first remote job! Congratulations! This is the start of a whole new style of working that you may or may not love. Many people love the idea of remote work but when it comes to the actual thing, it’s actually kinda tough. Here are my tips for acing your first remote role:

1. Do Come Up with a Routine

While it may seem easy to just roll out of bed and log on, creating a morning routine helps you to make the most of your remote work experience. This is also a nice way to ease into the day. Working remotely means no commute so I like to use my commute time to treat myself to something whether it’s a chapter of a book at the beginning of the day or an episode of a show at the end of the day.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Create a dedicated workspace and regular working hours. Because you work from home it can get easy to give in and keep working or not working hard enough. Keep work and home separate in any which way that you can. This allows you to maximise your work time and home time without the two interlapping and leading you to burnout.

3. Exercise Regularly

One thing I was not prepared for as a WFH worker was the lack of movement. In fact, it got so bad that I had to go to the doctor for circulation issues. Set a timer and make sure that every so often you’re getting up and walking around. Incorporating regular exercise into your day helps prevent health issues and keeps your energy levels up.

4. Remember to Get Out Occasionally

It can be easy to let days go by and then you realise you haven’t left the house in a while. I once went a month without leaving the house. If your job allows, work from a coffee shop or a coworking spot every so often just so that you’re out in the world. Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health.

5. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Working from home can be isolating. Make sure to check in with yourself regularly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lonely, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Prioritise self-care and do activities that help you relax and recharge.

6. Build a Community

Remote roles can get lonely at time but the good thing is YOU get to decide what your community looks like. Whether that’s joining virtual meetups, engaging in online forums, or connecting with colleagues via video calls, make an effort to build relationships and find your tribe. Having a support system is key to feeling connected and supported.

7. Consider Investing in Your Workspace

A comfortable and efficient workspace can make a big difference in your productivity and well-being. Consider investing in a good chair, a proper desk, and any other tools or equipment that can help you create an ergonomic and pleasant work environment.

8. Take Regular Breaks

Working at home means less time chatting with colleagues. But these tiny breaks in a day can add up and personally I tend to get cranky when I’ve spent more than 4 hours sitting at my desk (I’ve done this before and it is NOT pleasant). Schedule regular breaks to stretch, move around, and give your mind a rest. Short breaks can boost your productivity and keep you feeling fresh throughout the day.

With these tips you’ll be guaranteed to make the most of your remote work experience while avoiding the pitfalls. Are there any hacks that you use as a remote worker that I missed? Let me know below.


May
2024

My Top 4 Books About Writing

categories: Books, Career, Reviews

I’ve been writing for a really (REALLY) long time. And while I might not always have been a copywriter or a content writer (or atleast held the title), I have always been obsessed with becoming a better writer.

Okay wait, that statement isn’t exactly true. There was that period in Customer Care when I gave up on writing but I like to mentally block out that time. It doesn’t fit my personal brand of obsessive writer.

Anyway, here are four of my favourite books about writing:

1. On Writing by Stephen King:

This book was a really nice way of me returning to my roots as a novel writer. Part autobiography, part writing manual, this book is told in an easy-to-read manner by Stephen King. This book was incredibly well written and I walked away having learnt a few things.

2. A Self-Help Guide to Copywriting by Dan Nelken:

I picked this up from…someone. I don’t remember who. I do remember it was early on in my Marketing career and I never got around to finishing this book until now. This was a really helpful book that shone light on all of my writing fears. I finished this book in a matter of days and was left feeling like “Hey, you know what? I think I CAN do this writing thing”.

3. How to Freelance Like a Boss by Shea Karssing

This is the most recent book that I read. Like the book above, this one alleviated my fear of writing. More specifically freelance writing. This book had short chapters that were easy to understand and fun to read. Each chapter also ends with a really nice to-do list of tasks that help grow your freelance business.

4. Brand by Alizia Licht:

While not strictly a writing book. Brand was a nice reminder of how important it is to put in effort for your personal brand. For me, one of the reasons I write is to build my personal brand (and I like to focus on my personal brand because it helps me get new writing opportunities). It’s a cycle that I use often which is why this book is here.

Do you have any great books about writing? Drop me a recommendation below.


Apr
2024

What to Do When You Hate Your Job

categories: Career, General Career Advice

Hating your job is perfectly normal IMO. Maybe you’ve just worked there too long and the little things are now starting to get on your nerves. Maybe you’ve been there just for a while but you can’t take it anymore. Believe me, I’ve been there. But what do you do when you hate your job?

1. Admit Your Feelings

I’m the type of person who can very quickly move to hating a job simply because I’m bored (or haven’t had enough sleep for more than 3 days). If you’re starting to feel negatively towards your job, own it. Try and figure out what it is that’s making you so unhappy. Is it a project that is more difficult than anticipated? A toxic work environment? Micro-manager from hell? Name your issue or issues.

2. Can You Fix It?

Can the issue be resolved? If it’s just a matter of a stressful project, when will it end? If you’re having an issue with your work environment can you move to another team? If it’s something that CANNOT be fixed, are you willing to leave the company based on this or stay and accept the problem?

3. Develop Your Exit Strategy

Ah, exit strategies. My favourite. I’ve done alot of those throughout the years and while they’re alot of work the end result (a better job) has always made me really happy. Start off by listing your current skills as well as what roles you’d be interested in. This is also a great time to make a list of what your ideal job looks like. If you have any contacts in the industry, reach out to let them know what you’re going through. I had casually mentioned to a few people that I needed a new role and within a week, they had found me a new gig.

4. Start Networking (If You Haven’t Already)

Start networking with others in your field or in fields that you want to work in. LinkedIn is great for this. If you know an organisation that you’d like to work for, reach out to the people in the hiring team. This might sound intimidating (I know it felt super intimidating to me) but I did this once after a friend pushed me into it. I didn’t get the role but I also discovered that the organisation wasn’t a fit for me and my experience anyway.

5. DO Remember You Might Not Find a Job Immediately

This is very important. I had been job searching for 2 months straight and still didn’t find a role. It was really demotivating- and at the time, I still HAD a job. Make peace with the fact that it might take you a while to find a job. Because of this, it might make sense for you to check if you have enough funds before you try this next step.

6. Quit

Never have I ever quit from a job without something lined up. I mean I’d love to but as I get closer to 30 I can feel that window closing. If you’re really unhappy in your job and you have the means to, you might want to quit. Personally I feel like life is too short to be working in crappy jobs but also all those bills aren’t going to pay themselves.

Hating your job is tough but it doesn’t have to be something that defines you. You can decide at any moment to turn things around. Yes, society has conditioned us to believe that almost everyone hates their job but it’s possible to work a job that you love too.


Jan
2024

6 Job Interview Red Flags

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Job Hunting Tips

Once upon a time, applying for jobs was my part-time job.

Atleast that’s what it felt like. I would apply for anything and everything that came my way. I actually aimed to have atleast one interview a month.

Bizarre right? But I was young and desperate to escape the toxic environment I worked in.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that the jobs had major red flags seemed to hint that it was a toxic work environment. Now that I’m older and a more experienced job hunter, I know better. So if you’re in the process of interviewing for a new job, here are 6 red flags to keep an eye out for.

1. These Four Questions

These four questions absolutely should not be asked. If they are, you already have reason to be alert for more red flags. Sometimes people ask these in an attempt to get to know you but these questions more often than not lead to bias.

2. Vague or unclear job description

Marketing Gurus, Digital Ninjas and Unicorns unite. If the job description doesn’t clearly state what you would be doing, chances are great that this company is going to give you a medley of tasks that might not even fall under your responsibility.

3. The Interview Process Drags On

An unnecessarily long interview process- especially for a junior or middle position-is either a sign of dysfunctional HR/recruitment or a really picky company. In these cases you can check who held the position before you and for how long. It might be that the company has unrealistic standards.

4. The Interview is Too Short

A interview that is too short or even an interview process that is too short is a MAJOR red flag. This company might be desperate for a hire. Ask yourself why this is. This is something that I fell for only to later discover that the previous employee vanished (okay she didn’t vanish- she quit but no one talks about it and I find that super-suspicious. She was also referred to as “problematic” by the recruiter- which if you didn’t know is another red flag).

5. The Staff are All Relatively New

This is often disguised as “we’d had quick growth recently so we have hired many new people”. This could be true but it could always be number 6 down below.

6. The Company is Always Hiring

Another thing passed off as “we are growing so fast we just can’t keep up”. In cases like this you can locate previous employees via LinkedIn and question them about the company. They might not be able to come straight out and mention that the job is problematic but you will be able to gauge this from their tone and response.

Job hunting is tough especially if you’re stuck in a toxic role or unemployed. But moving from bad situation to another is not the solution. Use this list to evaluate your next interview to reduce the chances of you landing in a toxic work environment.


Jan
2024

5 Budget Friendly Ways to Upskill Yourself

categories: Career, General Career Advice

So you’ve decided on a career change or you want to learn something new? But the prices for formal education is a bit much for you. No problem. Here are 5 easy ways to upskill yourself without harming your wallet.

1. YouTube

Okay this may or may not be news to you but YouTube actually has pretty helpful tutorials. I dismissed YouTube as a learning source until I discovered that tons of Marketing organisations have YouTube channels with really helpful videos. Simply search the topic you’re looking to learn more about and let the social media algorithms do their magic.

2. Spotify

Spotify has a great array of podcasts on almost everything. If you’re a Spotify user, this is an easy way to upskill yourself while you’re commuting or running errands.

3. Udemy

Udemy has courses on everything and they are always having sales. Simply add courses to your wishlist and you can purchase them when the price drops.

4. Free Resources

Ah, the good old-fashioned way to learn- the library. Pop in to your library and see if they have a book on the topic you’re looking to learn more about. Be warned though, if your library is anything like mine (i.e outdated) you might not find exactly what you’re looking for. I went in for a Copywriting book and while they weren’t able to assist, I did come back with a book on writing Sales Letters (close enough).

5. Free Online Resources

Lots of websites or blogs have resources that can help you learn more. For example, Hubspot has great Marketing resources. Scour your social media network of choice (Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok) and connect with creators or brands who offer free online resources.

Are you going to look into upskilling this year? What is your favourite educational resource? Let me know below.


Nov
2023

5 Symptoms of Burnout (and How to Combat Them)

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Mental Health, Welcome to The Real World

Not every day at work is going to be perfect. Trust me- I love my job but there are days where I just wish I had stayed in bed. That being said, if you’re having more bad days than good, you might be suffering from burnout. Here are a few symptoms that I use personally to tell when I am burning out and tips on combating them. Note that this is to fix symptoms. Fixing burnout itself takes time and effort. This is basically my band-aid solution until you are able to take time off for yourself to heal.

1. You’re irritable or impatient.

You might be incredibly cynical or critical at work. This is one of my personal triggers and the second I start losing patience with colleagues, I start to question if it’s just a bad day or if I am on the way to burnout.

The Fix: Notice when you keep getting more annoyed than usual and track your triggers. I do this by keeping a journal. When I know it’s burnout season, I try to be kinder both to myself and others.

2.You lose interest in your job.

You feel like going to work is a huge effort and so is doing your job itself. Again, everyone has bad days but if this is happening more often than not, you might be experiencing burnout.

The Fix: Make a list of all the things you like about your job. You wouldn’t still be at your job if there wasn’t something positive about it. This is also a great time to start gratitude journaling. I remember one coworker who was having a tough time at work and her gratitude list started off with “Sushi”. (TBH the work environment was super-stressful but I loved that she could find a positive aspect).

3. You’re struggling to sleep

This one is probably the most tricky to fix. Maybe you’re having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Maybe you’ve been using your bedtime as a form of revenge procrastination, pushing it further and further until it’s 2AM and you realise you have work in a few hours. Whatever it is, sleep is vital for your performance as a functioning human.

The Fix: Try to keep similar sleeping and waking times. Keep your bedroom dark and cool. Come up with an unwinding routine that brings you joy. I absolutely love tea followed by 30 mins of reading.

4. You’ve developed unhealthy coping mechanisms like food, alcohol or shopping

This is another one of my trigger items and honestly all I can say is keep an eye for it. This is another tricky one but helps if you have a partner to hold you accountable.

The Fix: Try to get a buddy to monitor when these get out of control. I work virtually but my friends and I have the habit of checking on each other when it comes to lunch because we’re guilty of skipping meals when things get busy.

5. You have physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches or body pain

Physical symptoms can either result from you working too hard or in an uncomfortable position. Or it can be a result of the stress.

The Fix: Again, track what your triggers are. Are you taking regular breaks away from your desk? Are you sitting in one position for too long? Does your chair need an upgrade?

The best way to combat burnout is to analyse what is going on, what is causing your symptoms and fix the root of the issue. But if you can’t or you’re not willing to put in the time (talking to myself there but the year end is right around the corner), treating the symptoms will help…up to a point.

The faster you treat burnout, the faster you’re able to be you again.


Nov
2023

5 Signs Your Job Might Be A Bad Fit

categories: Career, General Career Advice, Welcome to The Real World

Not every job is for every person. And that’s okay. You’re going to spend a huge chunk of your life at your job so it’s important that your job fits you and vice versa. Here are a few signs that your job may not be a fit for you:

1. You Feel Disconnected From the Job

Early in my career I came across someone who “didn’t value their job” (I’m quoting management here). At the time I couldn’t explain what the issue was but basically they did the bare minimum. They didn’t even open their email. Since this was someone I knew for a few years, I asked her about it. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the job. She just didn’t feel like it was for her. This made perfect sense to me. I knew at the time that not every job was for every person (I had left one call center during the training stage just to go work for another call center based on “it just feels right”). I ran into this person a few years ago and she’s working in HR and loving it. Being disconnected from your job isn’t a bad thing. It just means there might be something else out there for you.

2. Everything Feels Overwhelming

When opening an email- or even just replying to a message- feels like too much, this might be a sign that your job is a bad fit for you. Back when I worked in Customer Care, there were so many emails that I eventually stopped opening them all. Only to then be faced with “I sent you an email. Did you get it?” (Yes but which one of the 100 is you?)

3. You Dread Waking Up and Going to Work

I used to wake up and my first feeling was dread. I used to actually think “Oh dear God, why me?” It’s okay to not look forward to a day at work or even a few days (long-term stressful projects do take their toll on you) but if this is your primary state, it might be worth looking for a new role.

4. You’re Living for the Weekend

If the only thing getting you through the week is the thought of the weekend then your job is definitely not the one for you. Yes, weekends are amazing but if that is the only thing pushing you through. this is a major red flag.

5. You Lack Passion for the Job Itself

It’s okay to not be passionate about your job. Lots of people are able to work jobs they’re not passionate about. But lots of people are also unable to work jobs they’re not passionate about. If you feel like you lack passion combined with the other signs listed above, it might be time to update your resume and start looking for a new job.

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