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Hannah's Story

"I’ve learned that who I am and what I do are two different things and that boundaries are so important."

The Story

The following story has mentions of anxiety and depression. If you or someone you know is in danger, is going through an emergency, or needs immediate attention, get help now. More mental health resources can be found here.

I’m a brand strategy director in the Midwest with two kids and a handful of pets.

When I was a young strategist, a very toxic boss put me in a position where I felt (and I honestly was) set up to fail. As a perfectionist, I tried to do everything I could to succeed despite my discomfort and my lack of experience, but the anxiety ate me alive. I had felt worried and panicked, didn’t sleep, and didn’t eat. I then fell into a hole of depression because my work and my identity were so wrapped together.

I eventually sought therapy, and my doctor also started me on anti-anxiety medication. In seeking help, I learned how much I was sacrificing my mental health in order to try to please this boss and that I needed to work on figuring out who I was outside of work. I ended up leaving the job.

I’ve learned that who I am and what I do are two different things and that boundaries are so important. I’ve also learned to be very picky about who I work for, and understanding the culture of the workplace is a huge part of the interview process for me.

Finding Support

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