Why My Definition of Success Has Changed (And How I’m Dreaming of a Simpler Life)

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For a long time, success for me was very clear.

Climbing the corporate ladder. Leading bigger teams. Managing larger projects. Achieving promotions and recognition.

And by all traditional measures, I made it.

Today, I work for a global company with over 30,000 employees. I’m globally responsible for all marketing activities and manage a team of 25 people.

From the outside, it looks like the perfect career path — and for years, it was everything I wanted.

But over time, something shifted.

As I’ve gotten older — and especially after discovering that I’m autistic — my ambitions have changed.

I realized that much of my drive wasn’t just about loving the work.

It was about masking — trying to prove to everyone, and to myself, that I was “normal.”

That I fit in.

And not just fit in — excel beyond expectations.

Climbing the ladder wasn’t just a career strategy. It was survival.

Now, I don’t feel the need to prove anything anymore.

I’m tired of chasing titles that no longer feel meaningful.

I want something simpler. Slower. A simpler life. More connected to who I really am.

If money didn’t matter, my dream would be to own a small farmhouse.

Grow my own vegetables.

Have a few animals — maybe chickens and goats.

I’d still use my professional skills — I love marketing, branding, and storytelling — but I’d work differently.

I’d do keynote talks, coach people in the corporate world, mentor individuals, and support smaller brands with their marketing and social media strategies.

I’d work remotely, about 15 to 20 hours a week — and the rest of the time, I’d be outside, working the land and living a quieter, slower life.

When I recently shared these thoughts on social media, the response blew me away.

So many people resonated with the idea of wanting to slow down.

People shared dreams of owning bookstores, running small farms, growing their own food, doing meaningful work without the constant pressure.

Some even commented that they had already made the leap — they had left the corporate world behind and were living the life I dream about.

Reading those stories made me realize something important:

I’m not alone in wanting a different kind of success.

And maybe, just maybe, it’s possible to move closer to that life, even if it’s not immediate.

Right now, I’m a divorced mom and the sole provider for my household.

That means financial stability is essential — I can’t simply quit everything overnight.

But I believe in slow transitions.

In planting the seeds now for a future that feels more aligned.

I’m starting to explore how to make this dream a reality over time.

What would it take to slowly shift my work, my income streams, my lifestyle?

How could I build a life that feels lighter, freer, truer to who I am?

And if you’ve made a transition like this — or you’re planning one — I would love to hear your story.

How did you do it?

What steps helped you feel safe enough to make the leap?

What would you do differently if you had the chance?

Because maybe dreaming isn’t just dreaming.

Maybe it’s the first step toward building something real.

If you’re on a journey toward a slower, more authentic life, let’s connect. I’d love to hear your story.