Introduction
When I was in my early 20s pursuing MBA, I had this idea of my life will be sorted once I get my dream job. But here I am in my late 30’s married, raising kids, took multiple career breaks which eventually lead to “no career” at all…ha ha ha(laughing). And still ‘figuring out” what to do next.
Am I happy? No. Am I sad? No. So, what Am I then?
ARRIVED/ACHIEVED
Well, let me clear it. With ageing I realised that anything in life is not about “this is it, I have ARRIVED” but it’s always “I have ACHIEVED”. Arrived means you have have reached the ultimate goal but achieved means you have eventually got in there, while following a certain process.
So, when you age, you will realise that you don’t make a perfect family in these many days or years and say that this is it “I have ARRIVED” but you make it perfect working for it years and years, overcoming hardships and celebrating joys together.
This means the process of raising family is what you go through for life long. Similarly, making a well paying career is not something that you do in a certain timeframe. I know most of you will not agree with me on this, so let me explain.
You start your career somewhere, it pays you some kind of benefits both material and immaterial depending on that particular position and skill set. But this is not it, you learn in the process, improvise, seek better career than the current one and again when you reach there you seek something best than this, it may be a business or a better job opportunity.
So, again this is also a lifelong process until you decide to stop somewhere.
Pressure On Women
Now, why I am writing this blog? This blog is for us the women who are the most pressurised creatures on the planet. This society has always set a timeline for us to achieve almost everything in this life.
A Woman should have figured out her career by 22,should be married by 25, should have children by 27 and should be well settled in life by the time she is 30. If she misses any of these timelines, she is finished for life.
If this is true then what about a woman who losses her husband at 35 and becomes a single parent or the one who loses her only child in 40s and now is supposed to family family-plan again. What should a woman do in such situation, should they throw away the priority in front of their eyes and focus on earning a nickel.
Redefining Success for Women
I am going to be 37 this year and have lost my elder son in August 2022 and have given birth to a baby boy now. I never imagined that I will have to restart my life again in my late 30’s. But here I am raising a baby again, putting my career behind me.
Am I happy? Of course not but I am sad neither, because God has been very generous to me in giving back my joy of motherhood again. And as far as my career is concerned, I will surely start it again, but only when I want to start not when Society prefers it to start.
Inspiring Women Life Lesson
My request to women out there is, do not set your priorities as per how other people around you want to. “You do it Your way”. There are many examples of women who have started their careers late and have been outstanding in what they do. And sure as hell, they have earned a lot of money………
- Sofia Vergara– Sofia was 37 years old when she landed the role of Gloria Pritchett on ABC’s Modern Family, which made a mark on her career and add her to Hollywood’s A-List. Not only this but she became one of the highest paid TV actresses.
Little did she know that her life will turn up this way in late 30’s , when at 21 she was a divorced single mother. She proves that we can change our lives anytime we want, be it 30’s/40’s.
- Viola Davis – A Julliard trained actor, Viola Davis has done many important roles in Film and Television. But it was not up until her role in the film “Doubt” opposite Meryl Streep, that she had all eyes on her. She was 43 when she got this role.
She also received Oscar Nomination of best supporting actress for this Film.
This does not stop here, her popularity grew after she acted as a Lead role in the Drama Series “How to Get Away with Murder”.
For this she won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress, also is the first African-American to win in this category.
Conclusion
There is no late in knowing your purpose. Everybody has their unique life with their unique set of circumstances and problems. Keep discovering yourself as a woman, invest in knowledge, invest in becoming best version of yourself. Let life unfold in mysterious ways and you blossom with it. Redefining Success on Your Terms. Redefining success for women.
May She Rises And Shines !!!
