Ditch the ladder, find your worth

The unexpected joy of downgrading my job title

Hello, Friend,

Today I have a question: what does it mean to be "successful" in the corporate world?

For years, I thought I knew the answer: climbing the corporate ladder.

Because this would somehow result in your work having a bigger impact, developing new skills, a powerful network, more money, and that sweet taste of fancy status that strokes your ego.

And I did it, I climbed that ladder, rung by soul-crushing rung. And I felt it - the weight of the corporate climb.

We've all been there: chasing the corner office, obsessing over LinkedIn titles, and measuring our worth by our job title. I know I was. I went from "graphic designer" to “social media designer” to “community manager” to "senior brand design lead", even dipping my toes into the growth team pool. I had the fancy title, worked at a fancy company, and had even a pretty fancy resume.

But here's the thing: somewhere along the way, I lost myself.

I was so focused on climbing that ladder that I forgot what truly mattered. I'd become so wrapped up in the corporate game: the politics, the posturing, the endless meetings about meetings, that honestly could have been a Slack message, not even an email - that I barely recognized myself.

My job title became my identity for a while, and that, my friend, was a dangerous trap.

Because here's the truth bomb: your role in a company does not define you. It's just a job. It's a way to pay the bills (and maybe fuel your caffeine addiction), but it's not who you are. What defines you is how you treat people. It's the kindness you show, the empathy you offer, and the impact you have on the world, both inside and outside the office.

Climbing the corporate ladder can be a soul-crushing experience. It can make you prioritize ambition over authenticity, competition over collaboration, and ego over empathy.

And after almost a decade of playing that game, I realized I'd had enough. I needed to give my ego a break.

So, I did something bold. I took a giant leap of faith and went from "senior brand design lead" to... junior designer. Yep, you read that right. I traded in the fancy title and the corner office for a chance to reconnect with my passions, learn new skills, and work on projects that truly excited me.

Was it scary? Absolutely. Did my ego bruise a little? Maybe. But it was also incredibly liberating. It was like shedding a heavy coat I'd been wearing for years. Suddenly, I felt lighter, more authentic, and more myself.

I know every company is different, and maybe you'll find one that truly resonates with your core values, where you can have it all - career fulfillment and the fancy job title. But honestly, after my experience, all those corporate memes on the internet? They feel pretty spot-on. To me, they're all variations on a theme, like different styles within the same font family.

But then again, this isn't a "quit your job and follow your dreams" manifesto. It's a reminder that your worth is not tied to your job title. It's a call to prioritize kindness, empathy, and authenticity over corporate accolades. It's a reminder that you are so much more than your job.

So what did I prioritize when making a big decision like this? My well-being. It sounds so simple, but it took me years to realize that my mental and emotional health were more important than any job title. I needed a change that would allow me to thrive, not just survive. I needed to align my work with my values, even if it meant sacrificing some of the "perks."

So, the next time you find yourself obsessing over your LinkedIn profile or stressing about climbing the corporate ladder, take a deep breath and ask yourself: do I want to be defined by my job, or am I defined by how I treat others?

The answer, my friend, is the key to a more fulfilling and meaningful life (and career).

Leaving you with the meme that inspired me to write this post.

Big smiles,
Mira