My Journey To Burnout and Back — Roshida Dowe Career Break Coach

My first job after law school was at a law firm that was the epitome of toxic workplaces.

So bad that when I brought up concerns to the manager of the firm his response was basically “You’re supposed to be unhappy, all the associates are unhappy here.” 😳

Yeah…that wasn’t even the worst part of the conversation.😡

I worked there with another Black female lawyer who started at the same time I did, and about 9 months into that job, we got in the habit of calling each other every morning for a pep talk. 📞

One of us would call the other one E V E R Y morning to ask “Do I have to go in today?”

And the answer was always YES.

Yes - Because you have a mortgage.

Yes - Because this is what you went to school for.

Yes - Because you can’t be successful unless you play the game.

But...neither of us needed a mortgage - it’s part of the “American Dream” but...it’s not a life necessity.

And I did not go to three years of law school to be disrespected daily.

And no matter how much we hoped, we could never be successful at a workplace that was intent on preventing us from winning. 👎🏾

So why? Why did we have to go to work every day?

Because we didn’t know any better.

But now I do.

Now, I don’t believe in sticking around in toxic work situations (or relationships) because they MIGHT change.

Now, I don’t believe in staying in tough situations to show how resilient I am.

I believe in rest and relaxation. I believe in rejuvenation and restoration.

I believe in a life of ease.

And I don’t want you to think that means life is easy. I don’t want you to think that I don’t work.

But instead, I am intentional about doing work that makes my life easier. I work with people I respect and enjoy spending time with.

In 2006 I never would have imagined this life was possible. 15 years later, I understand the true meaning of luxury and I live it daily.

And I want that for you too.

What “obligation/expectation” can you get rid of in the next thirty days? Visualize how much easier your life will be with that gone, and get to work making it happen.