About Me
My journey as a PhD student began when I was 31, with so much excitement, anticipation and ‘change the world’ energy.
I would go to my classes with a bounce in my step; I loved diving deeper into psychology, sociology and marketing.
But I kept coming up against a challenge…finding a research topic that was both grounded enough in theory and intriguing to me.
Here I was pursuing what I thought I was meant to do and it felt like an uphill battle.
See, I’d been doing everything ‘right.’
By the time I was 26, I’d already checked off almost all of the boxes I’d grown up thinking I had to hit: well-paying job, finished grad school, owned a condo…(I was just missing the getting married & having kids boxes).
So when I started sensing that something was off at 29, realizing that I still had a lifetime ahead of me, I started questioning: were these the right boxes for me? I considered what options ‘made sense,’ and I truly thought that getting my PhD was the natural next step. Because it would build on my 5 years of market research experience and bring me professional and personal fulfillment.
Looking back, part of me also chose academia because it felt like a societally, culturally, familially ‘acceptable’ path.
Slowly - and it was so slow I didn’t even recognize the change - over those next 16 months as a PhD student, the days started to feel more heavy, frustrating and filled with hopelessness - until I realized that I was crying more nights than not.
My inner spark had been doused out.
When I finally went to my advisors, they mentioned that they could help me find a research topic to take me to dissertation. A part of me seriously considered it - it was the intellectually logical thing to do. I’d already invested a year & a half into the program. I wouldn’t have to feel like I was disappointing the people around me or that I’d failed. But deep down, in my body & my soul, I recognized that I’d just be kicking the can down the road…and I came to the difficult decision that the most aligned step for me would be to finish out with a Master’s.
Why am I sharing this experience with you?
One, because I want you to know it’s ok to realize that you’re on the wrong path and decide to choose a path that is true to you - no matter where you are in life.
But also because you deserve so much more than feeling that
“Something is off…”
“There’s got to be more to life than this.”
“I’m stuck in a hole I can’t climb out of.”
You deserve a life that’s fulfilling while also being vibrant, effervescent, peaceful & beautiful.
You deserve to find and unlock that hidden dream - your heart’s deepest desire.
You deserve to fall in love - and be in love - with your life.
A bit more about me
Throughout the last two decades, several of my family members and friends have said they admire my ability to make a change when I know something isn’t working for me. And I’ve pivoted in functions, sectors, geographies, life choices...
But it’s because when I recognize something’s not a fit for me (it happened A LOT in my 20s & 30s, and it still happens every once in a while in my 40s), I start the process of recalibrating to an experience that’s more aligned.
And it continues to be a fascinating journey. Each time, I’m learning more; I’m more attuned to my inner spark (& what I’m truly passionate about); I’m feeling more fulfilled & vibrant; I’m being more unapologetic about divesting from what’s not working. All while keeping true to myself & to my core values of curiosity, community, courage, compassion & vitality.
When I'm not working (i.e, experimenting with my new creative ideas or guiding clients with their recalibration), you can find me dancing, listening to music, watching a British television series, reading a cozy mystery, or planning my next trip!
If you’re wondering about some of my pivots, I studied chemistry and economics in undergrad (Bryn Mawr College), management in my first grad program (Lake Forest Graduate School of Management), and marketing and psychology in my second grad program (Penn State). Before starting my business, I spent almost 2 decades in finance & compliance, market research and strategy in Fortune 100 companies and global health nonprofits. I moved to 6 different cities/towns over the course of 12 years searching for ‘where I’m meant to be.’
Interested in learning more about my framework & philosophy or working with me? Click below for more details!
Or if you just want to hear more about this recalibration & self-leadership journey I’m on & what’s happening next, I invite you to join the (e)mailing list for “Postcards from Vidya” so we can stay connected!