I woke up one morning feeling like I had been beaten up in my sleep.
My body was sore, my chest tight, my breath shallow. I was missing myself so much that I could barely recognize who I was anymore. It felt like I was suffocating under the weight of everything, questioning my marriage, my business, my parenting, my parents… even my sense of purpose.
I found myself wishing I could rewind my life. Start again.
And somehow, that wish came true.
Because I did hit reset, not on my circumstances, but on how I was relating to my life as a woman and a mother.
That personal journey later became the foundation for the work I now do with Dress for Success Vancouver, supporting other women as they navigate their own transformations.
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There are many statements we use in everyday language without truly understanding what they mean. In fact, they’re hard to grasp unless you experience them firsthand. Phrases like: “Connect with your inner child,” “Be authentic,” “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” “Be positive,” “Take a break,” “Set goals,” “Be kind to yourself,” “Let it go,” “Invest in yourself,” and “Listen to your body.”
These phrases have become clichés, abstract and overused. We throw them around without pausing to ask: What do they really mean? How do I actually live by them in a way that brings real change?
This disconnect becomes even more pronounced when we enter the professional world as women. Self-doubt creeps in because you’re a woman, because you have an accent, or because you don’t fit the mold. And when you become a mother, the pressure multiplies. You’re expected to manage work, family, home, and self-care perfectly.
In trying to do it all and live the life you want, you may look back years later and realize: you’ve been living with chronic stress. It’s no longer you living your life, it’s your anxiety. You begin to feel disconnected from yourself. Resentment builds. It feels like something’s being taken from you. At some point, you can’t even remember what it feels like to be you, to have your own wants and needs, or to live an authentic life. Yet, you’re still surrounded by those same quotes, offering no real path forward.
We live in a world saturated by advertising and social pressure about what the “ideal life” should look like. Its goal is clear: to make us feel like we’re not enough, so we keep chasing more. On top of that, many of us were raised in families where motivation came through guilt and shame, where love often felt conditional, and self-worth was tied to achievement or obedience. It’s no wonder we grow up doubting ourselves. But the truth is, we can’t fully control the world outside of us, and our parents did their best. What we can do is learn how to navigate the world within us.
That journey inward, however, is much harder. That’s why so many people focus on fixing their external circumstances. But the women I meet at Dress for Success Vancouver
are different. They are not settling. They’ve chosen the courageous path of reclaiming their lives, not by living up to someone else’s ideals or seeking external validation, but by discovering what truly matters to them.
“Samin helped us to dig into our minds to identify our strengths, but also our areas of improvement and how we can overcome these challenges to reach our goals.” – WWG Cohort 43 Participant
Many come in not even knowing what they want. Years of people-pleasing and putting themselves last have made it difficult to hear their own inner voice. But through our workshops on goal setting and developing your psychological capital
(a positive internal resource composed of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism that enhances an individual’s well-being and ability to perform, adapt, and thrive), that voice starts to reemerge.
“Samin helped me to recognize my inner voice.” – WWG Cohort 42 Participant
Over time, they begin to realize they have far more power over their lives than they ever imagined. They stop trying to control everything around them and start accessing their inner strength, changing how they respond to life instead of being overwhelmed by it. They are still engaged and active in both their professional and personal lives, often accomplishing a great deal in a single day. But unlike before, they don’t end the day feeling drained, they feel fulfilled. And in the morning, they don’t wake up with shame or anxiety, but with a quiet sense of joy.
They begin to embody those famous quotes. “Invest in yourself.” “Be positive.” “Let go.” These are no longer abstract, they are practices they live out each day.
“Samin made me feel more confident and comfortable setting goals.” – WWG Cohort 43 Participant
After a period of volunteering with Dress for Success Vancouver, leading Working Women’s Group workshops, I see the women look back and recognize how far they’ve come. Their roots are stronger. The challenges that once felt impossible now feel manageable. They feel grounded, proud, and more like themselves, without needing external validation.
And this transformation doesn’t stop with them. It causes a ripple effect, flowing into their families, their workplaces, and ultimately into the communities around them.
This is the kind of change I believe in. This is why I choose to support Dress for Success Vancouver.
“I have left each session feeling more empowered, and less heavy.” – WWG Cohort 41 Participant
This Mother’s Day, honour the strength it takes to reset, reconnect, and rise. Your donation supports programs that help women achieve financial independence and personal success.
Donate today in honour of a mother, a mentor, or woman who has inspired your life.
