A Gentle Reminder: You Are So Much More Than Your Salary

A few years back, I embarked on a work trip to Italy with my partner. It was a fantastic opportunity, yet in the lead-up, I felt an overwhelming anxiety about how to respond when asked, “What do you do?” My answer felt inadequate since I didn’t hold a prestigious job title or earn a hefty paycheck. Instead, I was a stay-at-home parent who did freelance writing during my children’s naps or while they were at kindergarten.

I had stepped off the high-powered legal career path long ago. Although I was content with this choice, I still grappled with feelings of insecurity. Truthfully, I still do at times. We live in a society obsessed with bigger and better—higher salaries, fancier job titles, larger homes, and flashier cars. This cycle continues until we either burn out, break down, or escape the relentless chase.

Though I left that rat race years ago, I still find myself battling feelings of inadequacy. I suspect many others share this experience. A viral meme highlights our culture’s troubling emphasis on job descriptions and income rather than the richness of our lives.

Challenging the Narrative of Success

Let’s be clear: we live in a world shaped by toxic capitalism. In the U.S., capitalism is often viewed as quintessentially American. From a young age, we are taught that “success” is about climbing the corporate ladder—more money, better positions, and accumulating more possessions. In my early twenties, I began to question this narrative. I walked away from a well-paying legal job for one that paid half as much. Over the last 15 years, my career has taken various twists and turns, and while I’ve generally been at peace with those choices, I occasionally wonder if I should have pursued the traditional path of success.

At times, I find myself feeling less than when surrounded by those who prioritize earnings and ambition—the very game that’s rigged against us. I sometimes ponder what my life would have been like had I stayed on the prescribed path of success. Would I be more respected or feel more worthy?

But I reject that notion. I often wrestle with these feelings, wanting to remind both myself and others who face similar struggles that our worth isn’t tied to our salary or job title. It’s essential to recognize that our professional achievements are only pieces of who we are.

Redefining Success

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take pride in our accomplishments. However, we must understand that true success isn’t measured solely by financial gain or prestigious titles. Instead, consider the words of Maya Angelou: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

We must detach our self-worth from our income. But how do we achieve that? I am still navigating this journey myself. It requires surrounding ourselves with those who share our values and uplift us beyond work-related discussions. It’s about realizing that just because climbing the corporate ladder is a societal expectation, it doesn’t have to be our desire. As Amy Poehler wisely said, “Good for you, not for me.” Recognizing that rejecting capitalist definitions of success is a radical stance is, in itself, an achievement.

Resources for Further Exploration

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In summary, it’s crucial to remember that our self-worth should never be limited to our job titles or salaries. True success lies in loving ourselves and finding fulfillment in what we do.