From Girl Boss to Be Your Own Damn Boss

Tech’s Big Shift — rife with layoffs in the Age of AI — somehow drove me to fight the good fight even harder because, well, I love a challenge.

When the headlines said, “Meta, Salesforce, Amazon, and Google lay off thousands to make way for AI,” I thought, “I’ll find a way to keep going in tech for as long as I can. I’ll continue to upskill and reinvent myself.”

And find a way I did, but not in the form of a sexy uphill climb. In early 2024, after nearly three years in a full-time high-salary job with benefits galore, the VC firm I worked for changed its policy to no-remote workers. I’d been hired during the pandemic, while living in Chicago, and though I was intrigued by the idea of relocating my family to Menlo Park, California, it just wasn’t in the reality cards.

Silicon Valley is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., and I have twin 10-year-olds, one with severe special needs, which limits our location options. I did what I thought I should as a responsible parent and sadly departed the company in early 2024.

Thanks to my professional network, I quickly jumped into content-strategy contracting (while running The Midst). And while contracts can be great for upskilling and learning about new markets quickly, I’ve discovered that once you become a contractor, you’re likely to continue contracting — whether you like it or not. Contracts are a flexible option for some folks, but not when you’re a co-breadwinner your family relies on for health insurance and a stable W-2.

All of this is to say the New York Times’ From Girl Boss to No Boss story hit very close to home, striking a timely, complicated chord. The July 10, 2025, story digs into the trend of women — particularly those who embraced the “girl boss” mentality — stepping back from or redefining their careers to prioritize other aspects of their lives. Aka the “power pause.” This shift comes as experienced women reach career heights and question the pressures of the “girl boss” era, in which success was often equated with climbing the corporate ladder.

“From Girl Boss to No Boss” TLDR

• Trending now: The shift away from the “girl boss” mentality
  A growing number of women are moving away from the constant pressure to achieve career milestones and are redefining ambition on their own terms. The story acknowledges that the “girl boss” era, while initially positive, also placed significant pressure on women to conform to a specific definition of success.

• A new perspective on ambition: The “power pause” and reclaiming agency
  The “power pause” signals a shift toward a more holistic view of success, one that encompasses personal well-being and diverse life goals.The power pause describes the conscious decision to step back from grinding careers, whether to focus on parenthood, starting a business, or pursuing other goals. Many women are challenging the notion that career success is the only path to fulfillment. The article highlights the complexities of this choice, including societal pressures and the impact on women’s identities.
• The power pause is also an opportunity for reinvention
  The New York Times tells the story of a middle-age woman who climbed the corporate ladder only to be laid off as one of the highest-paid employees. And another who left the corporate grind to work part time while caring for her child.
  

And then there’s Maria Weaver, who struggled with the loss of identity that can come with a major career change. The former global president of Warner Music decided to leave the company after its 2024 reorg — and to start her own jewelry business, XO Maria Louise. At 56, she feels like she’s reinventing herself. “You have to get to a place where you don’t care what other people think,” she said.

I’m more of a friendly renegade than a corporate climber

I really appreciate the Times story and am big-time curious to hear your take. On the one hand, I’m all about reinvention, finding joy and true purpose, and doing what you want on your terms. I mean, that’s why I started The Midst.

On the other hand, I’ve never been the traditional ladder-climber or traditional anything really. I’m about starting where you are, going after what excites you, continual learning, and creative collaboration over power-grabbing and navigating workplace politics. In other words, I have lifelong entrepreneurial tendencies that are often complicated by a desire for security.

I don’t have the financial freedom to take extensive time off right now, and I’ll also likely work after “retirement” by choice and necessity. And like a woman in the Times story, I feel guilty about leaving behind a career that I spent a long time building.

But, you know that feeling when every vibe in the universe is pushing you to move on?

Yesterday I declared (to myself and my family) that it’s time for me to move on from the tech grind. After a year and a half of contracting for several companies, two of which are AI companies, I’m finally acknowledging the truth staring in the mirror: I’m done chasing what’s left of a dwindling pool of full-time tech jobs. I’ve been interviewing in what is considered one of the toughest climates for full-time tech jobs. I’ve spent hours on unpaid final-stage interview assignments and have ultimately decided I’ve wasted too much of my precious time. Time that I could be spending on building The Midst into a thriving community, and also building my own consultancy.

Where I’ve been and where I’m going next

Upon selling my first business before age 30, I’ve enjoyed working in tech since 2012. I’ve built brands and scalable content engines that have helped startups earn millions, ghostwritten for some of tech’s most powerful people, leaned into AI, and learned a shit-ton in the process.

When I really think about it, I’ve quietly prepared for this moment since I turned 40. I’ve always known that tech tends to frown upon the 40-plus crowd. I’m ready for the next chapter as a Grown-Ass Boss, and I bet you are too.

Where do we grow next, together?

I’m so excited about this moment — for all of us in the Midst community.

Power Pause or Power Takeover? Join The Midst conversation.

I’ve met hundreds of Midst readers and you will not believe how talented our community is. What should we do to keep the conversation alive? A virtual call? Start a Slack channel? Join the conversation here on The Midst Substack.

A version of this story was originally published here on The Midst Substack.