WORK WISDOM
Elizabeth Uviebinené is author of five books, including The Reset and Slay In Your Lane, and founder of Storia
In the age of social media, cultivating a personal brand has become more than just a pastime – it’s a strategic move. However, this pursuit can sometimes clash with the expectations of your workplace, where the delineation between personal and professional life blurs uncomfortably for some. I follow someone on TikTok who had this wake-up call – she typically posts about make-up and beauty trends, a far cry from her day-to -day job as a recruiter. However, her boss came across her profile on TikTok and reported it to HR. Subsequently, she was given a warning as they noticed she was posting during work hours.
To protect yourself, learn about your workplace’s attitude to social media. If your manager seems wary of you having an online persona, address their concerns. Communicate that your personal life doesn’t interfere with your professional responsibilities, and stress that your targets are always met, or workload completed. If you have to post during work hours, explain that you’re using a social media scheduler. While the boundaries between personal and professional life are increasingly blurred, you owe yourself to protect your brand and interests while respecting your workplace’s expectations.
ASK THE EXPERT
Christina Najjar (@Tinx), best-selling author and content creator
The Splinter Era is the often-painful period in a woman’s life where suddenly, all her friends are going in different directions. Until your late twenties, you tend to progress at roughly the same pace. You get ‘big girl’ jobs together, share cramped apartments, and figure out break ups as one extended organism. Then, 28 rolls around and one friend decides to go to law school, another is off to teach yoga in Bali and a third is popping out her second baby and moving into a house actually meant for grown-ups. Panic ensues: where does this leave you?
It’s unsettling for two reasons. The first is the feeling of being left behind. It was the first wave of engagements that sent me spiraling. I was unhappy in my job, very single and battling awful self-image. It felt like all my engaged friends were so much further ahead than me. That, coupled with fears that I would lose them, made me feel deeply unner ved. Then, you realise that you may never be in the same place as your friends again. And the truth is, you are and you aren’t.
How should one navigate this? Firstly, be happy for your friends. Feeling unsettled in your own life is a good breeding ground for resentment; channelling discomfort into gratitude always proves effective for me.
Secondly, acknowledge things are changing but your bond doesn’t have to. Find new common ground and push through the awkwardness of new realities. Finally, make sure you have friends
