It's not your role; it's you! -Integrating Your Whole Self for Career Fulfillment
Honestly, this blog feels deeply personal because it reflects my own journey. At one point, I was one of the one-in-three people in the UK who felt unhappy in their jobs. Sometimes, we think it’s the frustrating or sh*tty boss we have to deal with. Other times, we blame market opportunities or the cultural dynamics within our role for our unhappiness. Like many others, I settled for work that felt “fine”—not because it fulfilled me, but due to societal and peer expectations. The thought of finding something better felt not only overwhelming but, quite frankly, terrifying.
But what I’ve learned is that this surface-level unhappiness is often just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath it lies something deeper. Something that has nothing to do with were experiencing externally but —resistance to stepping into what truly matters to us.
This resistance isn’t random—it’s a signal. It points to different "parts" of ourselves that we’ve either ignored, suppressed, or been too afraid to confront. These parts aren’t flaws or weaknesses; they’re aspects of our personality, past experiences, and internal narratives that have gone unaddressed for long periods of our lives.
Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychiatrist, introduced the concept of the "shadow"—the unconscious aspects of our personality that we repress or deny. He emphasized that integrating these shadow elements is essential for achieving personal wholeness and self-realization. This process, known as individuation, involves bringing the unconscious into consciousness, thereby harmonizing the various sides of the psyche.
For example, one part of you might crave stability and fear failure, while another part dreams of taking bold risks to pursue your calling. These parts can often feel at odds, creating internal conflict. Some parts might be unresolved pain or beliefs you’ve carried since childhood—such as feeling unworthy or fearing rejection. Others might be the ambitious, creative, or adventurous aspects of yourself that you’ve sidelined to “fit in” or play it safe.
My Shadow Careers (and How They Held Me Back)
For over two decades, I jumped from one “shadow” career to another. I’ve been a serial entrepreneur, a delivery driver, a corporate division head, a burger kiosk assistant, and a head of product—sometimes juggling several of these at once. It was exhausting, demotivating, and, if I’m honest, soul-crushing.
These jobs weren’t inherently bad, but they weren’t aligned with who I am. They were shadow careers—work I settled for when I wasn’t ready to embrace what my heart genuinely called me to do.
Why? Because resistance felt safer. I feared the unknown, worried about financial instability, and doubted my own gifts. These jobs kept me busy, sure, but they also kept me stuck.
Eventually, the resistance took its toll. It showed up as depression, chronic anxiety, burnout, and even physical illness leaving me bedridden for weeks. That’s when I knew something had to change and eventually came across integration work
What Integration Work Taught Me
Integration work is about finding these parts, understanding their origins, and reconciling them so they can work together harmoniously. It’s not about dropping fear or doubt—it’s about listening to these parts, acknowledging their role in protecting you, and helping them align with your goals.
Integration is about facing those inner fears, doubts, and conflicts head-on—not erasing them, but understanding them and learning to work with them.
For me, integration meant confronting questions I had been avoiding:
- What if I fail again?
- Why would anyone trust me to lead or invest in my vision?
- What if the people I care about think I’m crazy for pursuing my dreams?
When I finally started doing this inner work, it was transformative. I realized the part of me that feared failure wasn’t trying to sabotage me—it was trying to keep me safe. By working with this part rather than ignoring or fighting it, I could reframe my fear as caution and take calculated risks aligned with my purpose.
Now, as the CEO and Co-founder of Renova, I’m building a company that aligns with who I truly am. Renova is an AI-driven platform helping professionals like you uncover and integrate these hidden aspects of themselves to create fulfilling, purpose-driven careers.
This process of understanding and harmonizing these inner parts is what I call integration work. And let me tell you, it’s been life-changing for me—helping me break free from the resistance that held me back and allowing me to step fully into a career and life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Practical Steps to Begin Your Integration Work
- Uncover Your Resistance
- Ask yourself: What feels off in my work? Is it fear, misaligned values, or lack of purpose?
- Try journaling to explore these questions: “What am I afraid of?” or “If my resistance had a voice, what would it say?”
- Pair this with meditation. Spend 5–10 minutes focusing on your breath and letting emotions surface. Afterward, journal about what came up.
Renova Tip: Our guided journaling prompts can help you dig deeper into these reflections.
- Reframe Resistance as Guidance
- Instead of seeing resistance as a block, treat it as a map pointing to areas that need attention.
- For example, fear of failure may highlight a need to develop self-trust.
- Celebrate small wins as you address these areas—acknowledging your fears is progress.
- Align Goals with Your True Self
- Once you’ve found your resistance, set goals that reflect your authentic values. For example, if collaboration excites you, seek roles that prioritize teamwork.
- Break these goals into small, actionable steps and track your progress.
Renova Tip: Our AI-powered coaching helps you align your goals with your authentic self, creating a roadmap for success.
- Practice Self-Compassion
- When old fears resurface, pause and remind yourself it’s okay to feel this way—it’s part of the process.
- Celebrate small wins, like completing a journaling session or expressing your truth, and treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
Renova Tip: Use our community feature to connect with others on similar journeys for encouragement and support.
What Integration Brings to Your Career and Life
When you embrace integration, you unlock a life that truly aligns with who you are. Here’s what it’s brought me:
- Clarity: I understand what drives me and make decisions with confidence.
- Courage: I’ve overcome fears that once held me back.
- Connection: Authenticity has helped me form deeper relationships, both personally and professionally.
- Empathy: I now have a deeper understanding of other people and their own inner struggles because I understand mine better, so I’m now less reactive or triggered by someone else’s behavior. (Not always!)
- Fulfillment: Achieving goals that align with my values has brought lasting satisfaction.
This isn’t a guru dispensing wisdom; this is me, someone who’s been through it, sharing what’s worked. And it’s why I created Renova—to help others navigate this journey with tools, support, and community.
Start Your Integration Journey Today
If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your career, know that the answers aren’t out there—they’re within you. Integration work can help you uncover those answers, transform resistance into growth, and create a life that feels authentically yours.
With Renova, you don’t have to do this alone. Our platform offers the resources, coaching, and community you need to take actionable steps toward a more aligned, purpose-driven career.
Are you ready to leave shadow careers behind and step into your calling? Join Renova today and take the first step. Let's connect!