Let's be honest—if you're comparing your workplace to a psychological horror movie, it might be time for a change. As a former professional dancer turned ed-tech leader turned independent creative strategist, I've had my share of "Get Out" moments in toxic workplaces. And I'm here to tell you: there's a way out that doesn't involve hypnosis or running through the woods in the middle of the night.
The Real Cost of Staying
"When you hate your job, it is literally costing you your generational health and your generational wealth," I explained during a recent conversation with Dr. Kimani on her show, "Black Women & Toxic Jobs." We're not just talking about Sunday Scaries (though those are real enough)—we're talking about the complete package: sleepless nights, back problems, and that persistent feeling of unrest that just won't go away no matter how many acupuncture sessions you book.
As Dr. Kimani pointedly notes, "If you're waking up any day of your life in dread, and you're able to pinpoint it's due to a job, then I really invite you to start thinking about what are your other options."
The Independent Path: It's Not As Scary As You Think
Here's something many creatives don't realize: you don't have to choose between a soul-crushing 9-to-5 and launching the next big startup. There's a middle ground that's actually quite liberating.
"There's a way to work independently that doesn't have to be as high stakes or intimidating as saying you're an entrepreneur, and that is consulting," I shared. "So many of us who have been in these senior level roles in corporations, we can do that same work and just do it independently and get so much more."
Strategic Steps to Breaking Free
1. Start With Your Network, Not Your Resume
Instead of immediately updating your LinkedIn and blasting out applications, tap into your network. Most opportunities aren't even posted on job boards, and in today's market, cold applications are about as effective as a screen door on a submarine.
2. Listen for Problems You Can Solve
When networking, listen for the problems organizations are trying to solve. Sometimes, what starts as a conversation about a full-time role can evolve into a perfect consulting opportunity.
3. Focus on Story-Crafting
Your experience is your story, and how you tell it matters. Whether it's your LinkedIn profile, your pitch, or your bio, these are all opportunities to showcase how your unique background makes you the perfect solution to your target clients' problems.
The Permission Slip You've Been Waiting For
If you're waiting for a sign to make your move, this is it. The job market is evolving, traditional roles are shifting, and there's never been a better time to take control of your career. As I often remind my clients, "It's super liberating to be able to do everything that you've done for somebody else for yourself."
Here's the truth: staying in a toxic job doesn't make you more professional or more dedicated—it just makes you more depleted. That nagging feeling that you could be doing more? That's not imposter syndrome; that's your creativity screaming to be let out. Your years of experience, your unique perspective, and yes, even those "random" skills you've picked up along the way, are exactly what make you valuable as an independent creative.
And let's be clear about something: those who've made the leap? They're not looking back. When asked if I regret leaving my toxic job, my answer was immediate: "Not at all, honey. Not at all." As Dr. Kimani notes, "Every Black woman I've interviewed who's ever been in a toxic job, they have never regretted leaving the toxic job. Once you leave the toxic job, life is much better after." The only regret most professionals have is not leaving sooner.
Listen: Fear might have borrowed your keys for a while, but it's time to take them back. Your creative independence is waiting.
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