Diary of a Creator

Have you heard the term career grief?It's the disorientation, the loss, the quiet identity crisis that comes when a career path falls away, whether you chose to leave or were pushed out. And for high-achieving women, it hits differently. Because the same drive that built the career is the exact thing that makes losing it feel like losing yourself.In this episode I'm unpacking what's really underneath career grief, why it's unavoidable on the path to a more meaningful and aligned career, and why this period — as heavy as it feels — is actually the most important passage on the journey back to yourself and your true north.In this episode:Why career grief is actually an identity crisis underneathHow high-achievers unknowingly tie their worth and value to external validationWhy both ejection and election lead to the same griefWhat it means to create a career from wholeness rather than lackHow to move through this period rather than run back to what felt safeThis is the work we go deep on inside the Inner Compass Collective, and it's the foundation everything else is built on. If you're navigating a career change or crossroads right now and this is landing, you're in the right place.Start with the Inner Compass Reset.

What happens when you stop overthinking your path… and just follow what you enjoy?In this episode, I speak with Renee, a musician by night and occupational therapist by day, who never believed music could be a career, or that she was “good enough” to pursue it seriously.But instead of trying to figure it all out, she followed her joy.And what unfolded surprised her.From recording a song “just for fun”… to radio play, live performances, and now creating an album, all while still working as an occupational therapist, a career she also enjoys.We explore:Why following what lights you up is more powerful than forcing clarityThe fear of not being good enough (and doing it anyway)Building a side hustle without blowing up your lifeThe reality of balancing music and her career in real timeHow small steps create momentum you can’t predictThis is for anyone navigating a career change, craving more creativity, or sitting on something they love but haven’t fully let themselves pursue.Because the path isn’t something you figure out, it’s something that reveals itself when you start following your joy.Connect with Renee:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/387mU8HeT1rsqYdOJC9k5q?si=WDUHYxayQyCZn4Rsw4uUCgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_ren_music/

If this episode resonates, I’m also hosting a live masterclass in the lead-up to the next Inner Compass round, where I’ll guide you through how to navigate this moment, reconnect to your own direction, and start defining your true north.Save your spot: ⁠https://www.innercompassco.com/freewebinar⁠Everyone is calling it a career crisis.Burnout. Disillusionment. Questioning everything you’ve built.But I don’t agree.In this episode, I break down why the so-called “millennial career crisis” is being completely misdiagnosed. And why framing it as a crisis is exactly what keeps people stuck, forcing fear-led decisions and recreating the same patterns.Because this isn’t a crisis. It’s an awakening into identity shifts, self-discovery, purpose, and personal transformation.The systems aren’t working. And you’re not broken for feeling it.If you’re feeling disconnected from your career and unsure what’s next, this will challenge how you’re seeing it, and why that matters.

For years, I thought I was searching for my purpose.I tried to logic my way into it. I followed what made sense. I chose what looked credible.And I missed what was already written in front of me.The clues were there long before I was ready to see them.In this episode, I share the moment I realised I had already named my direction years earlier, and how conditioning, identity, and fear filtered what I believed was possible.Inside this episode:💡 Why you can’t see beyond the identity you’re operating from💡 The reason your True North often feels “unrealistic” at first💡 How to start collecting the clues already present in your life💡 The difference between logical choices and aligned ones💡 Why self-leadership requires expanding what you believe is possibleIf you feel lost, directionless, or stuck between worlds, this one will land.LINKS: START FREE ➡️ Inner Compass Reset by @victoriamay | StanNEXT INTAKE ➡️ Inner Compass Foundation Course by @victoriamay | Stan

When I left corporate, I moved fast. I built quickly. I tried to create my next chapter before I had fully embodied the shift.But what looked like confidence was urgency. And urgency is just fear dressed as ambition.In this episode, I share the biggest mistake I made at the beginning of my journey: trying to build an aligned path before I had become the woman who could hold it.And why it couldn’t work.Inside this episode:💡 Why urgency feels productive but recreates old patterns💡 The difference between embodiment and action💡 What happens when you build from fear instead of self-leadership💡 Why your “aligned” next chapter won’t hold if your identity hasn’t shifted💡 The lesson that changed how I move foreverIf you’re trying to create a new chapter but it feels forced, unstable, or exhausting, this one is for you.LINKS: START FREE ➡️ Inner Compass Reset by @victoriamay | StanNEXT INTAKE ➡️ Inner Compass Foundation Course by @victoriamay | StanPS: There has been a rebrand of the Podcast, to bring it more inline with the overarching brand I am building, the Inner Compass Collective, I decided to rebrand so this podcast is an extension of that.

I took a part-time role to support me whilst I built and delivered my Inner Compass beta program. But what started with ease and support slowly turned into soul drain. I was back in misalignment and got the soul slap I needed.In this episode, I share what really happened. The signs I ignored, the moment it hit breaking point, and what a great reminder of why I wanted to leave corporate:You can’t stay where your energy dies and expect your purpose to thrive.Inside this episode:💡 The hidden cost of misaligned financial support💡 How I knew I was completely out of alignment💡 The difference between doing something because you can vs. because you should💡 What happened the moment I let go💡 Why these detours are sometimes exactly what’s needed to reconnect to the soul pathIf your energy is drained, if your body is screaming, if you're holding on out of fear, this ones for you.New Moon Circle 17th Feb: FEBRUARY 17 ⏩ Inner Compass Circle by @victoriamay | StanInner Compass Collective course: NEXT INTAKE ➡️ Inner Compass Foundation Course by @victoriamay | Stan

What began as a devastating breakup in Vietnam became the unexpected turning point that awakened Albany’s deepest feminine gifts, and set her on the path to helping other women do the same.In this week’s episode, I spoke with Albany, a psychosomatic healer, breathwork practitioner, and women’s love coach who helps women heal their hearts and reclaim their voice, self-worth, and soul-led vision after heartbreak.Inside this episode:How heartbreak became her spiritual and vocational awakeningThe role of ancestral patterns and feminine suppression in love and purposeWhat it means to step out of the “spiritual closet” and be fully seenThe link between healing, visibility, and your soul-led careerHow to navigate the identity death that precedes real clarityWhy your voice, womb, and inner child are the keys to embodimentThe truth about rejection, failure, and trusting divine timing in your businessThis one is real, raw, and full of resonance for any woman standing in the void, wondering what's next. If you’ve ever felt like everything had to fall apart to come home to yourself, this episode will speak to you.🎙️ Connect with Albany on IG: @lovealchemywithalbanybook on psychosomatic healing and the rituals that led her to relationship alignment.If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own soul-led career journey, start here:⁠START FREE ➡️ Inner Compass Reset by @victoriamay | Stan⁠

When it comes to creating a soul-led life or career, expectations are one of the biggest blockers to clarity.In this raw, personal episode of Diary of a Creator, I reflect on the shadow of expectations, especially after just turning 40.We cover:Why expectations are ego-based (not soul-based)How they sneak into decision-making and sabotage clarityThe trap of timelines, milestones, and societal shouldsWhy overachievers feel constant disappointmentThe difference between expectation and visionWhat to do when you're frozen in indecisionIf you're at a crossroads and craving clarity, the Inner Compass Reset will shift you out of the mind and back into body-led knowing.START FREE ➡️ Inner Compass Reset

You can leave the corporate job.You can start the soul-led business.And still… find yourself burned out, unfulfilled, and following someone else’s way.In this episode, I get real about the spiritual traps, ego patterns, and business pressures that nearly made me give it all up. And how everything changed when I decided to stop outsourcing direction and start listening inward. Even for my business strategy. Inside:• How we unconsciously recreate what we tried to escape• The silent power of spiritual ego and strategy shame• Why your path must be different if it’s truly soul-led• Why every misstep is part of building trust in your voice• What happened when I rebuilt everything through intuition, and nothing elseThis is your permission to stop following and start leading. From within.If this story or journey resonates, then here are some next steps for you:START FREE ➡️ Inner Compass Reset by @victoriamay | StanNOVEMBER INTAKE ➡️ Inner Compass Foundation Course by @victoriamay | Stan

Laura spent 16 years climbing the corporate ladder. She had the title, the salary, the life she thought she was supposed to want.But her soul and eventually her body knew better.In this conversation, we explore what happens when the “dream job” starts to feel like a cage, and the cost of staying in the wrong path becomes too high to ignore.Inside this episode:The hidden cost of ignoring your intuitionHow living in two worlds creates deep internal misalignmentWhy “on paper” success doesn’t always feel like alignmentWhat chronic illness taught Laura about her soul’s pathThe fear of being seen and the slow, courageous process of moving through itHow creating space changed everythingWhy clarity and momentum come after the leap, not beforeIf you’re standing at the edge of a leap, wondering if it’s time, this episode is your mirror.🎙️ Connect with Laura:Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_art_of_transformation__Website:  www.artbyboaty.comPodcast: @realityreconsideredpodcastIf you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

She had the clients, the funding, the vision.But it still wasn’t sustainable.In this episode, she opens up about the real cost of building a mission-driven tech start up, and what happened when her body, soul, and truth said, "enough."Through breathwork, energy healing, and reclaiming her truth, she found the business that was always meant for her.This episode is a map for any woman caught in cycles of overworking, questioning, or self-sacrifice.Inside, we explore:The two failed ventures that prepared her for alignmentBurnout, identity loss, and the awakening that followedThe energetic difference between force and flowHow she rebuilt her life and business from inner truthWhat real soul-led entrepreneurship actually looks likeIf you’re navigating your own pivot—this will speak straight to your core.To follow Rebecca: Find out more: www.rebeccagrainger.com.au Follow on: www.instagram.com/iamrebeccagrainger Free guided breathwork: https://youtu.be/gvPxrIqlhQ8If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Everyone makes it sound easy.Start a side hustle. Create freedom. Live your dream life.But the truth?If you start for the wrong reasons, you’ll likely end up right back where you started.In this episode, I speak to the women who are feeling the pull to begin something new.Before you act, I want you to pause and ask: what energy are you creating from?Inside, I share: • The warning signs your motivation is rooted in urgency, fear, or burnout • How I ended up recreating what I was trying to escape • What it really takes to build a fulfilling, freedom-based path • The key questions to ask yourself before you start anything newIf you’re navigating the early stages of change—this episode will give you the clarity to choose a path that’s built to last.If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Diana had what many dream of: a remote job, a passport full of stamps, and no office in sight.But inside, she was unraveling.In this conversation, Diana shares what most don’t see behind the Instagram-perfect nomad life: burnout, misalignment, and a deep soul calling that refused to be ignored.🎙️ Inside this episode:How freedom on the outside means nothing if you’re trapped on the insideThe surprising grief that comes with letting go of your old identityWhat her spiritual awakening really looked like (and how it started with a course)The loneliness of leaving traditional paths—and how to find supportWhy astrology, energy healing, and intuition became her soul businessThe daily practices keeping her grounded as she builds from the inside outIf you’ve been questioning the path you're on—this is your reminder to listen within.🔗 Connect with Diana on Instagram: Instagram.com/nomadic.stars/🔗Free soul purpose guide: https://linktr.ee/nomadic.stars?lt_utm_source=lt_admin_share_link#469628004If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Have you ever gotten exactly what you asked for—and still felt like it wasn’t enough?That was me earlier this year. After manifesting the financial stability I craved, I expected peace. Instead, the pressure just shifted. From money... to time... to purpose.In this raw solo episode, I explore the sneaky pattern that keeps even the most soul-led women stuck in a cycle of craving and dissatisfaction.Here’s what we get into: ▪️ Why the ego is never designed to feel fulfilled (and what that means for your goals) ▪️ How to spot when you’re creating from lack vs. from love ▪️ The real reason your goals might not bring you peace ▪️ How to shift from chasing to anchoring into wholeness✨ Plus a powerful reflection to check whether your desire is soul-led or survival-driven.🎧 This is for you if you’re on the soul path (or wanting to embark on one) but still feel stuck, burnt out, or unsatisfied.If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Fiona had done the leap before. Three times, in fact. But in 2023, when she was made redundant from a job she loved—one she had manifested—she knew this time had to be different.In this episode, she shares the full truth of what it’s really like to walk away from comfort, paychecks, and prestige in pursuit of something deeper: freedom, creativity, and a business that feels like home.🎙️ Inside this episode:How redundancies can be sacred interventionsWhy most women procrastinate with branding (and what to do instead)The truth about ego vs. soul in entrepreneurshipManaging money, risk, and nervous system safety when building your dreamWhat it means to show up—not perfectly, but purposefullyThis one’s real, practical, and relatable. If you’re craving freedom but questioning your readiness—Fiona’s story will help you trust that you already have what it takes.🔗 Connect or work with Fiona: https://www.thesoulhive.com https://www.instagram.com/the.soul.hive/If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

You’ve made a big decision—or you’re standing on the edge of one—and suddenly the doubt creeps in. Is this really the right path? Or have I completely lost the plot? In this episode, I unpack what it really means to be on your soul-aligned path (hint: it doesn’t always feel peaceful), and the difference between fear that’s trying to protect you and fear that’s actually trying to keep you stuck.I share personal stories of both trust and terror, clarity and confusion, and the tiny signs that helped guide me back to truth. This episode will help you learn how to tune into your inner compass, spot real alignment, and know when fear is drowning out your intuition.🎙️ Inside this episode:Why fear shows up even when you're on the right pathHow to tell the difference between ego noise and inner truthWhat “flow” actually looks like (it’s not what you think)The biggest signs you're not on the right pathWhy building trust in your intuition is non-negotiable—and how to start🎧 Tune in if you’re navigating a big decision, questioning your direction, or trying to figure out whether you’re really living your truth—or just following someone else’s map.If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Leaving corporate to follow a soul-led path is a bold move—and it’s not without its challenges.In this episode, I share 12 things I wish I’d known before making the leap. These are the real, behind-the-scenes lessons that don’t get talked about enough—from navigating uncertainty and financial fear, to dealing with criticism, ego spirals, and the deep inner work that comes with choosing alignment over safety.This isn’t here to scare you—it’s here to support you with truth, so you’re better equipped to walk your own path with clarity and compassion.🎙️ Inside this episode:Why uncertainty hits harder than expectedHow to spot ego-driven advice vs. true alignmentThe mindset traps that recreate hustle in your soul-led pathWhat actually holds you back (hint: it’s not what you think)🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to leave corporate—or already have—and want to walk your next chapter with more truth and less self-doubt.If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

After two decades in the corporate media world, Kristen reached a breaking point. Despite the external success—big title, big paycheck—her soul was quietly screaming for something more. In this episode, we dive deep into what it actually looks like to walk away from the system, face your fear, and rebuild a life from the inside out.This conversation goes beyond the glossy version of leaving corporate. Kristen shares the raw, unfiltered truth—from ego unraveling and identity collapse to rediscovering her power and purpose through stillness, energy work, and soul-led living.🎙️ Inside this episode:What it really feels like to walk away from everything you’ve builtHow to discern between fear-based action and soul-led guidanceWhy ego will try to run your new business—and how to stop itWhat “being in the mud” teaches you about safety, identity, and expansionWhy your version of success has to die before your truth can be born🎧 Tune in if you're standing on the edge of a big decision, feeling the nudge to do things differently, or trying to rebuild after your own dark night of the soul. If you resonate with Kristen then don't forget to follow her and check out her offerings:👉 Website: https://www.calmaplaces.com/👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calma_places/If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

Michelle spent years working in government programs, helping others get back on their feet—but beneath the surface, she was quietly navigating her own healing. In this episode, she shares her powerful story of awakening, burnout, and the courageous decision to leave behind structure, salary, and certainty to follow her soul’s true calling.This isn’t just about changing careers—it’s about healing your inner world, confronting fear, regulating your nervous system, and learning how to trust yourself deeply enough to lead others. Michelle’s journey is a powerful reminder that your lived experience is not a weakness—it’s your medicine.🎙️ Inside this episode:Why healing is the real foundation for a soul-led careerThe nervous system’s role in manifestation, burnout, and holding successHow to move from ego-driven “doing” into heart-led “being”What to expect during the dark night of the soul—and how to keep goingWhy your story is the key to your purpose🎧 Tune in if you’re longing to leave behind a career that no longer fits, but feel overwhelmed, unworthy, or unsure how to start. This conversation is a reminder that it’s okay to be messy, uncertain, and still worthy of a life that lights you up.🔗 Connect or work with Michele: https://www.michelemachado.com/https://www.instagram.com/mimachadohypnotherapist/https://www.facebook.com/MicheleMachadoinnerchildhealer/If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

For most of my life, I wore “ambition” like a badge of honour. I was the overachiever, the go-getter, the one who did all the right things to succeed—and still, it never felt like enough.In this episode, I unpack a powerful realisation: being a high achiever isn’t a personality trait. It’s a survival response. And if we don’t look deeper, we carry that same burnout-driven energy into our soul-led paths, only to find it still doesn’t feel good.✨ In this episode, we'll cover:The hidden wound behind chronic overachievementWhy your purpose won’t feel fulfilling if driven by egoHow ambition becomes a coping mechanism for unmet validationThe difference between heart-led action and ego-fuelled productivityPractical questions to start untangling your true motives🎧 Tune in if you are ambitious but constantly burnt out or dissatisfied, and you want to shift from proving your worth to living your truth!If you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book

In this first episode, I briefly share what Diary of a Creator is all about—a space for ambitious, freedom-seeking souls who refuse to settle for the ordinary.This podcast will be part diary, part interviews. I’ll be sharing honest reflections from my own journey of building a soul-led life and career, alongside conversations with others walking their own unique paths. We’ll explore what it really takes to step into alignment, trust your inner compass, and navigate the messy middle of transformation.No formulas. No bypassing. Just the truth about choosing a path that doesn’t fit the mold.🎧 Follow the show to stay connected to the journeyIf you're feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your own journey…I’ve created a few free resources to support you wherever you’re at: 🔹 Download the Career Clarity Map: Designed to help you reconnect with your inner compass and uncover your next aligned step 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/clarityjourney 🔹 Take the Shadow Quiz: To uncover which unconscious patterns might be holding you back 👉 https://www.victoriamay.com.au/limiting-belief-survey When you’re ready to go deeper, let's chat! 👉 Book a free Career Clarity Call: https://www.victoriamay.com.au/book