Hi friend,

May today bring you moments of EASE today.

Even small ones. Bright ones. Light ones.

May ease remind you to be loving and forgiving, especially to yourself.

This came up in a session this week with a senior engineer, Alex.

She'd just accepted a role at a chaotic startup. More responsibility. More ambiguity. More proving herself all over again.

When I asked why she took it, she got quiet.

"I guess I didn't trust that I could handle something easier."

Oof.

That one hit me right in the chest.

Because I see this pattern all the time with women in tech at the senior level:

We keep raising the bar on ourselves. Even after we've already succeeded.

We pick the more challenging path because somewhere deep down, we think that's what makes us worthy.

The chill role? The one with clear scope and reasonable hours?

That feels like giving up. Like we're not living up to our potential.

But here's the thing nobody talks about:

Choosing the easier path isn't laziness.

Sometimes it's the most strategic move you can make.

Because burnout isn't a badge of honor. It's ahem, just burnout.

And you don't have to keep proving yourself to deserve rest, clarity, or a job that doesn't consume your entire life.

I had another client who left a director role at a unicorn for a senior IC position at a smaller company.

Less prestige. Less pay. Way less chaos.

She told me last month: "This is the first time in five years I've actually enjoyed my work."

And then that woman went on a month long trip to Japan before she started her job, eating her way through Kyoto with matcha treats and nature-filled walks. Hell. Yes.

Can we say this together?

You're allowed to choose the thing that doesn't feel like a constant uphill battle. 👏

You're allowed to want work that energizes you instead of drains you. 👏

You're allowed to stop making every career decision a test of your resilience. 👏

So here's what I'm wondering:

What would change if you stopped picking the harder path just to prove you could handle it?

Not a rhetorical question. I actually want to know.

Hit reply and tell me. What's the "easier" choice you've been avoiding because it doesn't feel ambitious enough? What would you give yourself permission to pursue?

I read every response over here in Austin, Texas 😍

Rooting for you,

Sarah

P.S. If this resonated and you want to explore what's actually next for you (not what you think should be next), I have a few 1:1 coaching spots opening in February.

Signing off from a long writing session today, equipped with my emotional support water bottle and noise-cancelling headphones. Today is day 4 of being stuck at home, thanks to the ice storms in Texas! (I'm a little stir crazy)

I'm rooting for you.

Sarah