As a child, I didn’t have one fixed dream — but I knew I wanted to make a difference. I imagined myself in roles where I could speak up, support others, and bring a touch of beauty into the everyday. One version of me saw a future in advisory, law, or leadership; another loved the idea of dressing up and walking into a roomwith elegance and purpose. I’ve always loved talking (my dad used to say, “Claudia, when you’re talking, doesn’t your mouth ever get tired?”), so even then, I knew I wanted to be in a positionwhere I wasmentoring or guiding others — something that combined care, clarity, and a bit of style in everything I did. The people who inspired that dream were a mix of powerful women and early affirmations. My mum, with her quiet strength and grace, showed me what it meant to care deeply while standing firm. Auntie Sophia — my godmother — was elegance personified. Always put-together, always warm, she made me believe that style and substance could absolutely go hand in hand. And then there was Mrs Patrick, the only Black teacher in my primary school. She had such presence — always immaculately dressed, makeup flawless. When she walked into a room, you felt it. She sawme, encouragedme, andmade me believe my voice mattered. Those women didn’t just inspire a dream — they shaped how I saw myself and what I believed was possible. I first realised my dream could truly take shape when I started working in HR and discovered that I was doing far more than dealing with policies and procedures. I was supporting people, guiding them, and helping them feel seen. I was finally in a position where my voice mattered — where I could bring care, clarity, and a touch of style to spaces that often felt cold or impersonal. To make that dream a reality, I’ve been intentional about where I put my energy, who I align with, and how I show up. I’ve started advocating for myself more — in conversations about pay, progression, and purpose. I’mcarving out space to reflect and dream a little bigger. And I’m trusting that the skills I’ve built, the relationships I’ve nurtured, and the faith I carry are all part of the foundation. This next chapter is about building upon that. The biggest challenge has been staying rooted in who I am while moving through spaces that don’t always reflect me back. There have been moments of doubt — those quiet, limiting beliefs that whisper that I need to be more polished, more palatable, more perfect to be taken seriously. It’s exhausting. But over time, I’ve learned to spot those voices, challenge them, and lean into what feels true. Having people like Irene around helps — she gets it, no long explanations needed. Becoming Settling Life is less about arrival and more about standing in alignment. 54 The Birthday Journal
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