#5SmartReads - March 16, 2023

Maura Walters is a writer, speaker and business mentor for female founders. She left her corporate job in 2020 to start her own copywriting and content strategy business, where she primarily works with female-founded brands. In one year, she surpassed her former 9-5 salary—without burning out and while maintaining a flexible schedule.

In 2022, Maura began mentoring other women (primarily mothers) who have left the traditional workforce in favor of more flexibility and better clients. She has a number of 1:1 mentees, runs several group cohorts throughout the year, and teaches classes on how to make winning proposals and create high-ticket offers. She also publishes a weekly newsletter for more than 1,000 subscribers on how to be successfully self-employed. Maura's writing has appeared in New York Magazine, Vogue and the Wall Street Journal, among many other publications.

‘Self-Care’ Is Constantly Marketed To Moms. Here’s What We Actually Need (Yahoo! Life) 

Although a new lip gloss, face mask, or fluffy robe—or even a massage or spa day—are terrific things to treat ourselves to, they do not define self-care.

It's important to recognize that our most basic needs like food, shelter, and sleep must be met before any higher needs can even be addressed. Here's what we actually need.

The Hidden Link Between Workaholism And Mental Health (The Atlantic)

Long hours on the job can temporarily ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. But you’re better off leaving the office and facing your feelings head-on.

Learn more about why it's really great to take a break in this Atlantic article.

The Hour Between Babe And Hag (New York Times)

In this New York Times article, Jessica Grose highlights the undeniable double-standard surrounding how our appearances as women impact our perceived leadership abilities.

So You Quit Your Job And All You Want To Do Is Relax. Why’s It So GD Hard? (Mental)

Whether you’ve lost a corporate job or left a corporate job, the anxiety that comes with going out on your own is REAL.

When I first said goodbye to my stable 9-5 to start my own business, I was in constant hustle, “say-yes-to-everything” mode—and to be honest, I imploded. I see now that that period between bravely walking away and landing your first client is a “magical dark,” an essential time to think about what you really want to do next, and who you really want to work with.

Now don't get me wrong: We all have bills to pay, and many of us aren't in a position to turn down work. I'm not saying you should. But I also know from personal experience that once I pressed pause on the relentless client hunt and gave myself the gift of time, I gained so much clarity about what work could actually look like for me. If you're in a position to, give yourself that sacred space.

All I Want For National Women’s Day: No More Female Founder Takedowns (Fast Company)

Before reading this article, I didn’t realize that it’s virtually impossible for female founders to recover after being cancelled.

Should women be held accountable for mistakes they make as leaders? Absolutely.

But if notorious founders like Travis Kalanick (Uber) and Adam Neuman (Wework) can raise billions of dollars for new ventures after being cancelled, perhaps it’s time we rethink who gets second chances.