Mastery Mondays

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” ― J.K. Rowling

When workplace discrimination shattered my career, I never imagined that my darkest professional moments would become my greatest source of purpose. I faced wrongful dismissal for speaking up. I learned that my identity isn't defined by my job title or the injustices faced, shaped how I chose to rise from the ashes.

The Identity Crisis

For years, I had wrapped my identity around my professional achievements. My career wasn't just what I did, it was who I was. When that was stripped away through retaliation and dismissal, I felt lost. Who was I without my title? Without my team? Without the validation of a prestigious position?

The Transformation Journey

The path from trauma to triumph wasn't linear. Some days, just getting out of bed felt like a victory. Other days, I found myself discovering strength I never knew I possessed. The transformation began when I stopped seeing myself as a victim and started recognizing myself as a survivor with a story that needed to be told.

My perspective shifted during a support group meeting. Listening to others share similar stories of workplace trauma, I realized something profound: our collective pain held power. Each story echoed with unrealized potential for change. That's when I understood, my experience wasn't just about personal survival. It was about creating a pathway for others.

Finding Purpose

The wisdom gained through my experience became a torch to light the way for others. I began sharing my story, first in whispers, then in confident declarations. Each time I spoke about my experience, another person would quietly approach me with their own story of workplace trauma.

The Power of Shared Experience

What started as personal healing evolved into a mission. I discovered that by openly discussing workplace discrimination and sharing strategies for survival, I could help others navigate their own journeys. The pain didn't disappear, but it transformed into something meaningful.

Redefining Success

Today, success looks different to me. It's not about climbing corporate ladders or earning accolades. Instead, it's about maintaining integrity in the face of injustice. Supporting others who are fighting similar battles. Creating spaces for honest conversations about workplace trauma. Building communities of resilience and hope.

Wisdom Gained

Through this journey, I learned several crucial lessons:

• Your Voice Matters - Speaking up might cost you a job, but silence costs you your soul. Every time I share my story, someone else finds the courage to speak their truth.
• Pain Has Purpose - The very experiences that wounded me became the foundation for helping others heal. My trauma transformed into expertise, my struggles into strength.
• Community is Crucial - Building connections with other survivors not only aided my healing but created a network of support and advocacy.

Moving Forward

While litigation continues, it no longer defines my days. Instead, I focus on the wisdom gained and the opportunity to create positive change. Each person who finds courage in my story reminds me that our greatest trials can become our greatest purpose.

The Path Forward

This journey taught me that wisdom often comes wrapped in pain. While I wouldn't choose to experience workplace discrimination again, I choose to use that experience to help others.

To those currently navigating workplace trauma: your story matters. Your pain has purpose. Your experience, though difficult, can become the wisdom that helps others find their way through darkness.

Surviving isn't the end of the story. It's the beginning of a new chapter where your pain becomes your power, and your experience becomes your expertise.

Written by Janice Mah

#PurposefulPain #WorkplaceSurvivors #ResilienceJourney

Disclaimer of Liability and Opinion: The opinions expressed in this article are of the author and do not reflect the views of any organization, employer, or affiliated entity. The author and publisher are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this article. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal advice to understand their rights, local employment laws, and standards before addressing concerns with HR or employers.

Life's Big Questions

What is the most inspiring way you have seen someone find purpose in their pain?