My 25-year-old self wouldn't recognize this life. And I think that's the point.

My career would start at Leo Burnett. I'd work my way up, meet someone, get married at 27, and have kids a few years later.

Life had other plans

I landed in smaller organizations, doing a bit of everything.

I worked my way up from marketing associate to director of marketing, where I managed teams and multiple brand budgets totaling more than $1 million.

I was good at my job, and my reviews told the same story. Then, one Thursday afternoon — coming off a successful project — I was called into my boss's office. He told me restructuring was happening and that I could stay, but would get a pay cut.

I…