#01 From Titles to Truth

Since mid-November 2025, I no longer work as a hired employee.

Before that, I spent almost 20 years in financial institutions and large corporates. Ten of those years were in managerial roles: starting as a team leader, growing into senior leadership, becoming a First Vice President at just 34, and later a Chief Operating Officer at 37.

At the same time, I was raising two wonderful children, who are now teenagers.

Climbing the career ladder felt good. It was exciting. It was validating. And it came at a cost — a lot of effort, time, strength, and constant prioritising. Like many high performers, I learned how to function on pressure, responsibility, and very full calendars. I learned how to deliver. I learned how to be “strong”.

And then, about two and a half months ago, my life changed dramatically.

Today, I work for myself.

My mornings are slow now. I wake up, help my kids get ready for school, and actually be there — not half-present, not mentally already in my inbox. After that, I go to the gym. Then I come home, shower, make my morning coffee, and only then do I start my working day.

Slowly.

According to a schedule I create myself.

My first coaching sessions usually start at 10 a.m. I decide how many sessions I have. I decide when I work, when I pause, and when I stop. I prepare lunch and dinner. I help my kids with homework. I read books. I attend conferences. And I do all of this without rushing, without constantly feeling like I’m failing somewhere else.

For the first time in a very long time, I am not carrying that familiar background guilt:
– that I’m not a good enough mother
– not a good enough wife
– not a good enough employee

Because there was never enough time for everything.

Now, I have something I always wanted: time sovereignty.

And it feels amazing.

But it would be dishonest to stop the story here.

This freedom comes with a price.

I gave up stability and safety. No one guarantees that at the end of the month I will receive a salary. I earn money only when I have clients. No clients — no income. That kind of uncertainty is intimidating, even when you’re experienced, even when you’re capable, even when you know what you’re doing.

Starting a coaching career also means something else: working under your own name.

Your name becomes your brand. Your thoughts, values, voice, and visibility matter. For someone who spent years behind strong titles and organisational structures, stepping into public visibility was not easy. Posting regularly on social media — several times a week — required real courage. It pushed me far outside my comfort zone.

And yes, I lost a title.

No more FVP. No more COO.

No more business card that immediately explains my “value”.

That hit my ego more than I expected.

Without the title, you are left with a quieter question: Who am I, if not this role?
And an even scarier one: Am I still enough?

So, was it worth it?

Yes.

Do I still doubt myself sometimes?

Also yes.

Both things can be true at the same time.

What keeps me grounded is how I feel. I feel happier. Lighter. More aligned. And I do deeply meaningful work — helping others grow, think, decide, and move forward in their lives and careers.

I no longer measure success only in promotions or organisational charts. I measure it in presence. In depth. In impact. In the quality of conversations I get to have every day.

This blog is part of that journey. A space to reflect, to be honest, and to share what this transition really looks like — not the polished Instagram version, but the human one.

If you are standing at a similar crossroads, questioning stability, identity, or what “success” really means to you, you are not alone.

I’m still learning too.