I walked away from my dream job two years ago

What I’ve learned since and how to know if it’s your turn

Two years ago this month, I made one of the most terrifying decisions of my life.

I walked away from what looked like a dream job in tech.

VP of Marketing. A title I had worked hard for. A salary that made life comfortable. A resume that checked every box I thought I needed to feel successful.

But behind that shiny role, I was quietly burning out.

I was constantly “on,” chasing deadlines, showing up in rooms where I didn’t feel like I could be myself. I was living on someone else’s schedule, fulfilling someone else’s vision, measuring my worth by someone else’s standards.

And I felt it. In my body, in my energy, in how I parented, and in how much I began to dread Mondays.

What I wanted wasn’t crazy. I wanted presence with my kids. Purpose in my work. Permission to take care of myself. I craved a routine that allowed for more creativity, more flexibility, and more alignment.

So I walked away.

Not because I had it all figured out, but because staying in something that looked good but felt wrong was no longer an option.

Since then, I’ve grown New Modern Mom into a media business that far surpasses my tech salary. Most people see this as just an Instagram platform or a newsletter here on Substack, but behind the scenes, it’s a full media and marketing business. I run a high-traffic website, partner with my favorite brands on strategic growth campaigns, and lead a small team that helps bring this mission to life.

I also grew a second business in wellness. In just one year, my husband and I acquired two Pilates studios, opened MNT Marina - San Francisco’s first Wellness Social Club, and expanded into Mill Valley with our third MNTSTUDIO location. And there’s more *hopefully* on the way.

I’ve built a life I don’t need to escape from. One that allows me to live in Europe for the summer, instead of squeezing in a one-week break.

Here’s what I want you to know:

You don’t have to burn everything down to start again. But if you’re feeling that quiet nudge - exhaustion that won’t go away, ideas you can’t ignore, dreams that feel too big to name - please pay attention.

These are the questions that helped me find clarity:

• What parts of my day give me energy? Which ones drain me?

• If I could design my schedule from scratch, what would it look like?

• What would I do if I trusted that I could figure it out as I go?

I didn’t leave because I had a perfect plan. I left because I was ready to build something that felt like me.

And I want that for you too.

The answer may not be to quit. It might mean creating on the side. Choosing alignment over ego in your current role. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time to explore something new, to stop chasing someone else’s dream and start building your own.

You don’t need permission. But if it helps to hear it: you're allowed to want something different.

Currently

WATCHING Too Much on Netflix very Girls-esque: funny, awkward, and addictive

SHARING ChatGPT hack for back to school calendaring seriously, I beg you do this now

LISTENING Aspire by Emma Grede feat. Jefferson Fisher on how to speak so people will listen - I took so many notes

EATING some favorite meals in Nice have included Jan (incredible Michelin experience) and our go-to brunch spot La Popote D'Ondine

PACKING Activity Kits for the airplane we leave Saturday, and these are critical for long travel days

All The Things

This week I’m sharing all of my back-to-school favorites. Shop the full edit here.

• Native Shoes these are great year round!

• Freezeable lunch box perfect for keeping the kids lunches cold all day

• Water-proof name labels these are the best minimalist ones I’ve found

• Waterbottle prefer clear water bottles with full lids over the straws

• Wooden or Acrylic first day of school sign for those must-take first day of school pictures

• Time for School, Mouse! books help kids transition better

• Beekeeper's Natural Propolis Spray to boost immunity asap

New Modern Mom Podcast Spotlight

Looking for tips on managing your household in the chaos of back to school? Listen to this episode!

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this quick-hit episode:

🧠 How to lighten your mental load with ChatGPT

✉️ Learn ways to let ChatGPT draft, edit, and polish your emails

🏡 How to create checklists for managing household tasks

📊 Leveraging ChatGPT to handle work tasks

🛠️ Train ChatGPT to match your voice and brand style

❤️ Don’t forget to give this a little love

And you’ll have my deepest gratitude helping this newsletter grow by:

• 💬Leaving a comment to share how this resonates for you

• 📤 Hitting ‘Share’ and sending to your group chat

Thanks for joining me on this journey,

Barbara