Unbecoming is a limited series where I explore what it means to let go of who I thought I had to be—the hustle, the pressure, the expectations—to find peace, joy, and identity on my own terms.
In this week’s episode of Unbecoming, I share the deeply personal story of my career shift—from leaving the high-pressure world of corporate marketing in Jamaica to navigating life as an entrepreneur, creative, and someone healing from CPTSD. I open up about the signs that told me it was time to go, how my mental health shaped my decisions, and why transitioning wasn’t as linear as I thought it would be.
I also explore how reconnecting with my creativity has been both healing and illuminating, helping me reimagine what work and life could look like. It’s a raw and honest look at building a new path while honoring your well-being, and letting go of things you’re good at but no longer serve you.
Key Takeaways
Leaving isn’t always the instant freedom we expect. I thought leaving corporate would mean immediately jumping into entrepreneurship and thriving. But I realized that healing takes time, and trauma doesn’t disappear just because your environment changes.
Mental health fundamentally shapes how we work. Living with CPTSD has forced me to redefine work as only one part of life—not the whole of it. Now, I evaluate opportunities based on whether they support my well-being, not just financial gain.
Not everything you’re good at is meant to be your path. Despite my success in design and branding, I learned to say no to work that drains me. I rediscovered joy in design only when creating for myself, not clients.
A portfolio career can be a beautiful fit for multipassionate people. I’ve embraced building a career made up of different streams—principal, perennial, passive, passion, and philanthropy—giving me freedom and variety without burnout.
Creativity is healing and expansive. Creative play, like building binoculars or exploring art, has helped me think more expansively about my career and reconnect with parts of myself I’d buried under stress.
Structured fluidity is my balance. I thrive by creating structure without rigidity—like scheduling my Unbecoming lives weekly but keeping the format loose and conversational.
Small steps build big change. From applying to grad school to taking online courses, I’m taking practical, gentle steps toward my new career in business innovation and systems design.
Reflection
If you’re on a similar path, I invite you to take some time to reflect on these questions.
What signs might be telling you that a current job or career path no longer serves your well-being?
How has your mental or physical health been affected by your current career path?
If you didn’t have to consider money for a moment, what kind of work or activities would you naturally gravitate toward?
What beliefs or fears might be keeping you in work that no longer fits who you are becoming?
Are there small ways you could test out new interests or career paths without making a huge leap right away?
How might you create more balance in your days while exploring what’s next for you?
What would it mean to build a career that supports (not sacrifices) your well-being and joy?
Building a new path takes courage, patience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
I’m grateful you’re here and sharing this space with me. This journey of unbecoming can feel uncertain and sometimes lonely, but remember that you’re not alone. Keep listening to the whispers of your heart, keep giving yourself permission to change, and know that who you’re becoming is worth the risk of letting go.
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Unbecoming goes live every Friday until September 19, 2025. I hope you’ll join me again next week.
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Thank you for watching Unbecoming
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