There was a period in my life where success had me on a leash—tight, silent, anxious, and choking.
Wake up. Get dressed. Follow orders. Climb the ladder. Smile through exhaustion—or worse, through unacknowledged sacrifice.
Whether it was the rigid rhythms of the military or the demanding pace of my cybersecurity career, my days weren’t mine.
I was performing a life that looked successful—but felt soul-starved.
Something in me kept whispering, There has to be more than this.
And one day, I finally listened.
So, feeling burnt out, I walked away.
And let me tell you—folks had something to say.
“What is she doing?”
“She’s too old to start over now.”
“She had a stable career, great benefits—why would she give that up?”
I’ve heard it all. From whispers behind my back to comments wrapped in fake concern. Some well-meaning friends would send me job leads and advice, which I truly appreciated. Some folks thought I was reckless. Others labeled it a midlife crisis. But here’s the truth:
This isn’t a crisis. It’s a reclaiming.
Because I finally understand something I didn’t before: this is my life. Not my boss’s, society’s, or even my family’s or friends’. Mine.
And I’m at a stage in my life where I’m no longer shrinking to fit roles that don’t serve me. I’m not bending over backward for gold stars, titles, or someone else’s version of success. I’ve spent too many years proving, performing, and producing. That chapter is closed.
Now? I live for me.
I don’t owe anyone an explanation for reclaiming my time, protecting my peace, or walking a path that feeds my spirit. My joy isn’t up for debate, alignment isn’t on trial, and my success isn’t measured by anyone’s standards.
My time is mine—and that, to me, is success.
Let’s get into it.
The Currency of Time
America loves a good hustle. Success is often measured in material excess: the luxury car, the corner office, the blue check, the Instagram-worthy lifestyle. We glorify the grind, celebrate exhaustion as ambition, and idolize those who “make it out” by climbing someone else’s ladder—no matter the cost to their peace.
And let me be clear—I’m not here to shame that.
There’s nothing wrong with desiring monetary wealth, recognition, or prestigious titles. For some, those dreams are soul-deep. But they didn’t light up my soul.
What I longed for was time freedom—to wake when my body’s ready, to move in alignment, to create without the pressure of performance. The kind of success I needed couldn’t be parked in a driveway or printed on a business card. I craved a life that felt like me and allowed me to be.
In my post, From Six Figures to Fulfillment, I shared how I walked away from a high-paying cybersecurity career. Leaving that pay behind wasn’t easy, but to reclaim meaning in my spirit meant more. I wasn’t chasing freedom—I was returning to it.
And that return runs deep.
For Black Americans, time hasn’t always been ours. It was once stolen, surveilled, and sold. So, when access finally came—education, promotions, titles—we ran for them like they were freedom. And in many ways, they were.
From sunup on plantations, where rest was rebellion and stillness danger, to clocking in under fluorescent lights, we were taught to serve, not savor, our time. Even today, we casually refer to our jobs as “going to the plantation”.
Somewhere along the way, hustle became identity, and rest became guilt.
We forgot: we are not machines.
We are rhythm, spirit, and are divine.
Time freedom isn’t just a luxury.
It’s liberation and healing.
It’s proof that our lives finally belong to us.
Time Is a Spiritual Resource
Spiritually speaking, time isn’t just minutes ticking on a clock.
Time is energy. It’s the life force we exchange for experiences, people, and commitments.
In metaphysical teachings, time is nonlinear—what you focus on now shapes your reality. So, when your time is not your own, your life is not your own.
That’s what made the decision to reclaim my time so powerful.
In Hermetic philosophy, there’s a law called the Principle of Rhythm. It reminds us that life moves in cycles: up, down, in, out, rest, action. When I was working a 9–5 (or let’s be real, more like 7–7), I was always in push mode. No pause, rest, or alignment.
Now, I let my days breathe.
I move when Spirit says move.
Rest when my body whispers, enough.
And I create when inspiration visits, not just when a notification says it’s time.
This sacred pace has become my personal liberation.
Unlearning Success: The Internal Tug-of-War
Of course, stepping away from what society calls “success” wasn’t instant peace. There were months where I questioned myself, especially when the money got tight. Still do sometimes. I had to face the shadows of self-worth that whispered, “You’re not doing enough,” or “You’re wasting your potential.”
But what I came to realize is this: when your worth is tied to productivity, you’ll always feel behind.
One of the biggest metaphysical lies we internalize is that doing equals being. That achievement is the only proof of value.
But I’ve come to understand that being is enough.
Joy is enough.
Presence is enough.
Success is not something I chase anymore—it’s something I embody.
Flow Over Force
These days, I live in what I call sacred flow.
Some days I write. Other days I create journals, design digital products, or simply walk in nature. I nourish myself with spiritual practices—affirmations, smudging my home, journaling, or checking in with my ancestors. And I honor my energy. I no longer shame myself for resting. I understand that alignment is more powerful than effort.
The Universe responds to authenticity. And the more I show up as my whole self, the more opportunities open—quietly, gently, and right on time.
That’s the magic of living by divine flow. It’s not linear. It’s intentional. And it’s always guided.
Detaching from Titles, Embracing Truth
Let’s talk about cybersecurity for a moment. The prestigious “CISSP,” the security clearances, the business travel, the high-level strategy meetings. It all looked good on paper—and it was an earned accomplishment. But it was never my soul’s calling.
Too often we inherit goals that don’t belong to us. We’re handed dreams and told, “This is success.” But if that title weighs more than it inspires, it’s not a blessing—it’s a burden.
I’ve learned that spiritual alignment is more important than professional validation.
And now? My title is Creator. Writer. Healer. Daughter. Auntie. Mother.
My business card doesn’t have to impress anyone. It has to reflect me.
A Different Kind of Success
I don’t need a Benz to feel abundant. I don’t need a high-rise office or a corner suite.
My success shows up in:
- Time freedom: I choose how I spend my day.
- Creative expression: I build what feels aligned.
- Peace of mind: I’m not at war with myself anymore.
- Spiritual sovereignty: I check in with my Higher Self, not a boss.
- Sacred impact: I help women rediscover their self-worth and power.
This is legacy, alignment, and success.
What They Don’t Tell You
No one tells you that choosing yourself might look like failure to other people.
When I left the cybersecurity world, folks were confused. Some thought I was having a crisis. Others said I was wasting my education and experience. But deep down, I knew: I was finally living.
Redefining success means grieving the version of yourself you had to let go of.
It means sitting in the silence when no one claps.
It means facing the fear that maybe you’ve made a mistake—until you realize peace doesn’t lie.
It’s brave work. Soul work. And it’s not for the weak.
It’s for those who are done surviving and ready to truly live free.
Reclaiming Sacred Time: Practical Shifts
If you’re feeling pulled toward a freer life but don’t know where to start, here’s what helped me:
- Audit your time – Notice how much of your day is spent in obligation versus inspiration, then realign.
- Release the need to explain – You don’t need to defend your decisions or your version of peace.
- Simplify your success – What if joy was the goal? What if freedom was the outcome?
- Build a spiritual rhythm – Meditate. Ground. Journal. Breathe.
- Create space for nothing – Because in the stillness, you’ll hear your truth.
The clock is a tool of capitalism. But the energy of time is a sacred container for your life.
Use it well, use it wisely, and use it freely.
Final Thoughts: I Am My Own Timeline
I don’t care about keeping up anymore.
Not with the Joneses, or LinkedIn titles, nor with hustle culture.
My timeline is divine, my rhythm is sacred, and my path is mine.
And if that means I’m not the richest, the busiest, or the most impressive to outsiders—so be it.
I wake up in peace, I create in joy, and I sleep with no regrets.
That’s the kind of success that doesn’t fit on a résumé—but it breathes in my spirit and blossoms in my days.
It feels like joy, it feels like home, and it feels like me.
Ready to Redefine Success?
Maybe you’ve felt it too—the quiet ache that says there’s more. The nudge in your spirit that whispers, this life you’re living isn’t the whole story.
You’re not broken for wanting something different. You’re not lazy for craving peace. And you’re not behind just because your path doesn’t look like theirs.
Success isn’t a finish line. It’s a feeling.
It’s how your nervous system softens when you no longer live on edge.
How your soul sighs in relief when you stop betraying yourself for a paycheck.
And it’s how your days start to make sense—not just cents.
If you’re standing at the edge of change, unsure whether to leap, know this: your freedom is worth the risk. Your time is worth protecting. Your life is worth living on your terms. You don’t need permission. You already have the power.
Redefine success. Reclaim your rhythm. Rewrite the story.
Because you are the proof that freedom is possible.
And your life—your real, raw, sacred life—is worth every bit of that liberation.
#SoulFoodSunday #PersonalGrowth #TimeFreedom
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