Statements we have all heard:
“You should be content.”
“What more could you possibly need?”
“You already have so much, isn’t that enough?”
If you’re a woman with big dreams, chances are you’ve heard these words, sometimes whispered, sometimes said outright, and other times spoken through side-eye glances or backhanded compliments.
And if you’re like me, you’ve wrestled with the guilt of wanting more. That’s exactly why I wrote Don’t Dim Your Light: A Love Letter to Ambitious Women, to remind you that your desire for more isn’t a flaw, it’s a flame that deserves to burn bright.
But let me say this clearly:
Wanting more doesn’t make you ungrateful. It makes you aware of your potential.
Gratitude and Ambition Can Coexist
We’ve been taught to be thankful for what we have, and we should be. I’m deeply grateful for my education, my career, my financial stability, and the strength I’ve built over the years.
But gratitude doesn’t mean I stop growing.
Gratitude doesn’t mean I stay still.
Gratitude doesn’t mean I silence the vision that God has placed in my heart.
I can be content and still press forward.
I can be proud and still be building.
I can be “blessed” and still have more to give to the world.
When You’re Judged for Dreaming Big
There’s a unique kind of loneliness that ambitious women experience, especially when your success or drive makes others uncomfortable. Maybe you’ve heard:
- “She’s always chasing something.”
- “She’s not content with what she has.”
- “She must be money-hungry.”
But what they don’t see is that behind every big dream is:
- A desire for freedom
- A heart that wants to create impact
- A legacy you’re trying to build for your family, your children, your community
You’re not greedy , you’re building beyond survival.
And when people misread your motives, it can sting. But remember:
You’re not building for their approval.
Ambition and Mental Health
The truth is, suppressing your drive can negatively affect your mental wellness. Here’s how guilt and judgment can impact high-achieving women:
- Self-doubt sets in where confidence once lived.
- Overthinking replaces clarity.
- Shame weighs on your sense of purpose.
And that’s not how we’re meant to live.
You were never meant to feel guilty for being gifted.
Instead of shrinking, we need to learn how to:
- Protect our peace
- Surround ourselves with the right voices
- Give ourselves permission to dream without apology
When I feel discouraged but have great ideas I don’t feel safe sharing with anyone, I turn to my journal to get them out and give them space.
A Word to the Woman Who Feels Alone in Her Drive
To the woman working a full-time job and building her side hustle at night…
To the woman writing books in secret until the world is ready…
To the woman juggling spreadsheets and soul work…
You’re not wrong for wanting more.
You’re not greedy.
You’re not ungrateful.
You’re being faithful to your purpose.
“If you’re looking for more fuel for your fire, books like woman in finances, this one is one of my top favorites.
Reflection Questions
- Where do I feel the need to hide my ambition?
- Whose opinion am I giving too much weight to?
- What would I build if I felt zero shame about wanting more?
Final Thought
“By their fruits, they will know you.”
Keep planting, watering, growing , not for applause, but because it’s in you to do so.
The world doesn’t need less ambitious women.
It needs more women who are free to build without guilt.
Call to Action
If this message stirred something in you , if you’ve ever felt judged for dreaming bigger, or silenced for wanting more, know you’re not alone.
Leave a comment and share what you’re building, dreaming, or quietly working on, no shame, no judgment. Let this be a space where ambition is celebrated, not questioned.
And if you’re ready to fully embrace your calling without guilt, subscribe to the blog and follow me on Pinterest for weekly encouragement and tools to help you stay rooted in purpose while reaching for more.
You were made for this and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!
Read More:
Forbes – Why Ambitious Women Are So Often Judged Differently
https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghanbiro/2021/03/08/why-ambitious-women-are-so-often-judged-differently
Psychology Today – Why Women Feel Guilty for Succeeding
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-moment-youth/202002/why-women-feel-guilty-succeeding
https://justthrivinginlife.com/unlock-financial-freedom-and-mental-clarity-with-these-simple-tools/↗
