We don’t talk about this enough:
Your job shouldn’t just fit your skillset—it should also fit your values.
You can have the right title, the right salary, even the so-called “dream job”… but if it clashes with your core beliefs or the kind of life you’re trying to build, it will slowly drain you. No paycheck is worth losing your peace—or yourself.
If you’ve ever felt like something was off, even in a role that looked perfect on paper, you’re not alone.
You Deserve Work That Aligns With Who You Are
Years ago, I accepted what looked like the job of a lifetime. It was in a new industry, full of energy and creativity, and it came with the kind of opportunity most people dream of. My husband and I packed up our life—he left his job, I left mine at Johns Hopkins—and we moved 1,000 miles away from home with so much hope.
But almost immediately, I knew something wasn’t right.
The culture felt off. Drinking wasn’t just part of after-hours socializing—it was a regular part of the workday. Lunches with alcohol. Social pressure that rewarded those who participated. For someone who grew up seeing the damage alcohol can do, this hit hard. Alcohol was something I was trying to escape, but I ran right into a trap full of it.
It made me feel completely out of place.
It wasn’t just about sobriety—it was about alignment. I was trying to build a life rooted in peace, purpose, and health. And I was now spending every day in a space that challenged that. I lasted about three months before we parted ways. It wasn’t failure—it was clarity.
Sometimes the Work Is Fine—But the Projects Aren’t
Even in jobs I’ve enjoyed, I’ve been asked to take on projects that didn’t sit right with me. Messaging that didn’t match my values. Strategies I couldn’t fully support. Tasks that felt like they pushed me to be someone I wasn’t.
Those moments? They’re heavy.
Not because the work was too hard, but because it made me feel like I was betraying something in myself. I did a lot of job searching during that time, knowing I could not go on much longer like that.
In my situation, God made a way and removed those projects completely from my company, but during the time I had them it was a daily battle.
If you’ve ever felt that inner tension, you know what I mean. It’s the feeling that something is costing you more than it’s worth.
Real Success Involves Integrity
It’s tempting to ignore that voice when the paycheck is steady or the position sounds impressive. Especially when you’re a mom trying to keep everything afloat—raising kids, managing a household, maybe even homeschooling on top of working.
But here’s the truth:
Long-term success only happens when what you do aligns with who you are.
The good news? You get to define what that looks like.
4 Questions to Ask Yourself About Alignment
If you’re wondering whether you’re in the right place—or heading in the right direction—ask yourself:
- Does this job align with my personal values and convictions?
- Can I be myself here, without compromising who I am?
- Are the expectations of this role pulling me closer to the life I want—or further from it?
- Am I proud of the work I’m doing and how I’m doing it?
If the answer is “no” to any of those, give yourself permission to pause. You may not be able to quit tomorrow, but you can begin praying, planning, and preparing for what’s next.
You Were Made for More Than Survival
You were made to thrive—in motherhood and in your career.
You were made to contribute with confidence and conviction.
Success isn’t just about doing the work.
It’s about doing work that fits who you are.
And when you find that alignment? That’s when the real momentum begins.
Not just in your career—but in your peace, your growth, and your purpose.
Related Posts
When Success Feels Wrong: Why Your Career Needs to Align With Your Values
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How to Define Your Values as a Mom (And Why It Matters)
The Power of Habits: Transform Your Life with Small Daily Choices
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