Taylor Swift is a global phenomenon and an extreme larger-than-life example of a single female career professional. She’s a multi-billionaire, independent and admired, as well as a huge humanitarian.
Yet Taylor Swift faces criticism. Why? Because she is in her 30s, unmarried, and without children. And because of this, the conservative population says she is not an appropriate role model for young girls. And here we are in the 21st century no less.
Despite her money and fame, even Taylor Swift faces challenges as a single career pro, although many of them she does not face. You, however, do.
So how do you, as a single female professional embrace your independence and find your personal happiness and satisfaction?
Here are the most common challenges you face based on societal pressures that can put a damper on your goals, your continued self-development, and your pursuit of new experiences.
Social Stigmas
It’s not unusual for many to question your relationship status as a single, career-minded woman who has chosen to remain single or at least delay marriage and family until she has achieved her career goals. They may criticize and judge and wonder what is wrong with her? You, however, are in charge of your choices and do not need to answer to anyone for them.
The best advice? Hang out only with those friends and family members who see your value and worth and respect the choices you have and are making. Shut out those “naysayers.”
Financial Challenges – Three-Fold
The Gender Wage Gap: As a single woman, you will face the gender pay gap that is still very real, despite legislation and pressure on employers. The latest research shows that, in US dollars, women in similar positions to men earn about $.83 to a man’s dollar. How do employers skirt laws to the contrary? One of the most common methods is through the use of job titles and their respective pay grades. Another is to have a company policy that no one may divulge their pay to anyone else or face disciplinary action.
The only way to counter this gap is to become active in pursuit of self-development, acquiring more skills, and making yourself more and more indispensable to your employer. While this seems unfair, it is reality. Once you have acquired greater value, it’s time to negotiate a substantial raise. (You may want to take a quick online course on salary negotiation).
Facing economic risk: This is something that both genders face, but as a single person, you do not have a partner or husband to pick up some of the financial slack if you become unemployed. You must build an emergency fund that will pull you through 6 months. Make this a top priority right now.
Financial Planning: This is all about your future, your economic stability, and your financial goals. Creating a realistic budget is the first step. And that budget should include paying yourself first in the way of savings. That comes off the top. Then look at your remaining income and how you are spending that income. You have the necessities – housing, food, transportation, personal care, and such; you have the non-essential “nice to haves,” and you should reward yourself with an amount to spend on those – a new outfit, a spa day, even a short weekend trip every few months. You’ll find that you may be spending money on worthless things, and that is where you can cut. Commit to ending that type of spending.
Saving and Investing. Do you intend to work until you drop? Of course not. You cannot retire in style unless you plan for it. Many single women go this alone, but it takes lots of research and education to become a smart investor. Use the services of a financial planner who can map out a long-term plan for your saving and investing. Stick with the plan and you may be able to retire early and have a grand lifestyle.
Balancing Personal and Professional Lives
This can be a major challenge. You have your work responsibilities and they often require much more than an 8-hour workday. And, especially if you are a single mother, you have some big personal commitments. Then there is self-care so you don’t succumb to the stress of it all. And perhaps you may even want to date a single man every once in a while. A social life is a good thing.
To make all of this happen, you will have to be super-organized, set some priorities, and establish boundaries for those who demand your time, especially for work colleagues, a boss, clients, and such. Set times that you will and will not be available to these people during non-work hours.
You’ll need some time management skills – there are loads of apps for those. Find a good one and use it.
That’s a Wrap
More women than ever are choosing to remain single, at least until they have achieved their career goals. They have managed to punch a lot of cracks in what is often called the “glass ceiling.” If they stick to their goals and choices, they will find the personal fulfillment they seek.
