CareerTalk

The Survival Illusion:

What We Normalise Shapes More Than We Realise.

There are moments when strength is not strength at all, but survival wearing a convincing mask. Behavioural science shows that the human brain adapts quickly to what is repeated, not to what is healthy. Over time, what begins as coping quietly becomes normal. This is where many women find themselves, functioning, achieving, holding everything together, while their bodies, boundaries and self-worth pay the price.

One of the most overlooked patterns is how unprocessed trauma quietly shapes our relationships and identity. Neuroscience tells us that the nervous system learns safety through familiarity. When emotional inconsistency, over-responsibility or manipulation is repeated, the brain stops questioning it. We begin to call endurance “resilience,” even as stress hormones remain elevated and self-trust erodes. This is not weakness, it is biology adapting to survive.

The same patterns show up powerfully in toxic workplaces and…

The Opinion Detox: Your Path, Your Power

We’ve been taught to perform. To impress. To shrink ourselves into titles, timelines and templates.

But what if the boldest career move you can make this year is to stop letting other people’s opinions script your life?

This powerful quote from @melrobbins hits differently because it names the truth many of us avoid. Your success will never be sustainable if it’s based on someone else’s expectations.