Cristiana Maria on LinkedIn: Practicing Radical Honesty After Two Months of Shedding the "Corporate… | 15 comments (2024)

Practicing Radical Honesty After Two Months of Shedding the "Corporate Suit":The past two months have flown by, feeling more like two weeks. My mind is still wired in the relentless race of 15-minute intervals (also known as “Quick Calls”), a habit ingrained from years spent squeezing every drop of productivity from my day. I find myself bracing for business calls that no longer come. In conversations, I default to speaking in bullet points, trying to convey key messages efficiently. Even casual meetings are approached with a mental agenda, an attempt to make every minute count. I've swapped my laptop for moving boxes and cleaning supplies, immersed in the chaos of relocating to my home country. Each of my 51 boxes carries a fragment of my life, leaving me oscillating between panic that it’s too much and fear that it’s not enough—an analogy for my life’s uncertainties and achievements.Yet, surprisingly, my days are anything but monotonous. I now indulge in activities I once only dreamed of, embracing a slower, more deliberate pace. I’m finally taking time to ponder my next steps, silencing the internal critic that questions my worth, and daring to change my plans as I move along. And, for the first time ever, I’ve booked two holidays in a row.For so long, my self-worth was tightly bound to my productivity. Breaking free from this mindset is challenging, but I’m redefining what productivity means. It now includes spending quality time with friends, taking long walks with my dog—something I never had time for— watching Netflix, preparing healthy meals, and going to sleep peacefully—free from the nagging thoughts of unsent emails and unchecked to-do lists.Giving myself permission to take it slow is no small feat. I still grapple with guilt over not working and occasionally find myself browsing for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry, seeking the comfort and predictability of the structured environment I once thrived in. And wondering what I would do now differently in regards to the work & life balance.But right now, it's coffee time. And I’m determined to savor every drop, living this newfound freedom to enjoy myself.

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