The traditional 9-to-5 office job has been a staple of working life for decades, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Personally, I’ve come to realize that this routine doesn’t suit me. As an introverted woman, I’ve always valued my alone time and the freedom to work independently. Being in an office, confined to a desk for hours on end, just doesn’t align with how I function best. Especially now that my focus has been on my health and trying to manage my asthma and anxiety.

Don’t get me wrong—working alone has its perks. I find I’m more productive and focused when I can work at my own pace without the constant interruptions of office life and the nagging. The solitude allows me to dive deep into projects, think creatively, and get things done. But that doesn’t mean I want to be isolated all the time. I do enjoy the occasional client meeting, where I can step out, have a more personal interaction, and feel connected to the work on a more tangible level. Those one-on-one moments are refreshing and break up the monotony of sitting behind a screen all day.

Sometimes, though, I wonder why women are expected to go the extra mile to push themselves in the workplace. There’s this pressure to climb the corporate ladder and constantly prove ourselves, as if that’s the only way to be seen as successful. Don’t people realize that staying at home is hard work in itself? Managing a household, taking care of senior parents —it’s all so demanding, but society often undervalues that role.

Maybe I’m a bit more traditional in my thinking, but I don’t love that we’re expected to chase the same corporate ambitions to feel accomplished.

I’m comfortable with the idea of stepping back, slowing down, and maybe not feeling the need to compete in the corporate world. But then, with this economy, how does that even work? How does a woman maintain financial independence and support her own lifestyle if she decides not to play the corporate game? It’s a real struggle between wanting to ease the stress and figuring out how to be okay financially.

It’s a tough balance, wanting to live in a way that feels natural and comfortable while still needing to secure your future. At the end of the day, it’s not about hating work—it’s about finding a way to make work fit with your life and values. For me, that might mean letting go of the traditional 9-to-5 or feeling less pressured to “prove” myself. But figuring out how to do that while staying financially stable is a challenge many women face. How do you step down without losing your sense of security?

I’m still trying to figure that out –