Two Eye Surgeries. One Career Clarity Reset. Big Lessons.

I didn’t expect this. 

Cataract surgery on both eyes. I was told I’d likely be back to work within 24-48 hours after each surgery, which was a week apart. 

That didn’t happen. 

Everyone’s recovery is different—and mine was a bit rough. That first week? Double vision. Objects were closer than they appeared. Depth perception all over the place.

Had I known I’d be out for more than two weeks, I probably would’ve postponed it indefinitely until I absolutely needed it. Rescheduled it. Or skipped it altogether. (Sound familiar?) 

I was patched up and needed a shower hack. No water allowed in the eyes for 7 days post-surgery.

TIP: Those clear shower caps from hotels pulled down over your face are a fantastic way to keep the water out of your eyes while showering. 😉 

Vulnerability Pic: 

But in hindsight (pun intended), I’m SO glad I went through with the surgeries! 

The Forced Pause That Gave Me Clarity

Because this unexpected pause gave me more than clearer eyesight—it gave me a new kind of clarity altogether. 

Before the surgery, I thought my vision was “fine.”

Sure, I needed stronger readers. More lights. I adjusted, adapted, and kept pushing through 80+ hour work weeks like many do.

But after the second surgery? Wow! 

When I took the patch off after the second surgery, the difference was immediate, vivid, and unbelievable. 

I couldn’t believe it—sharper lines, brighter colors, everything more defined. 

It was like someone cleaned the lenses I didn’t even know were dirty! It truly felt like it was life changing.

And today?

I let the water run down my face in the shower for the first time in 2+ weeks—no patches, no protective cap. Just the simple joy of feeling normal again. Ahhh. What a refreshing feeling! And no more sleeping with the eye patches on. 

It sounds small, but it was a big moment of freedom. The little things we take for granted, right? 

And this experience got me thinking. 

We do this in our careers, too. 

We push through, convince ourselves it’s “not that bad,” and adapt to situations that slowly blur our energy, vision, and direction.

Once we find our groove, work becomes a rhythm.

For example, the daily routine—whether it’s tackling tasks, attending meetings, or managing projects feels almost effortless. This rhythm brings a sense of stability, allowing us to go through the motions without much thought.

But, just like with any repetitive motion, we can easily fall into autopilot mode. It’s important to occasionally check in with ourselves and assess whether the rhythm we’ve settled into is still aligned with our true goals, or if it’s time for a shift to get back on track.

We tell ourselves we’re lucky to have a job—even if we’ve outgrown it.

 

We stay so busy doing the work, we don’t realize we’re not aligned with it anymore. 

We don’t know how off-track we are until something makes us stop. 

During my recovery, I’ve been forced to STOP, not slow down.

No working…because reading (and writing) a bazillion words a day with two different eyes was a struggle. Working the way I do with 4 monitors was straining my eyes too much. I was so disappointed.

I missed my team.

I missed my clients.

I thought I made a huge mistake in having the surgery.

I was worried…and very scared.

I was being forced to rest…that’s a bit boring for me. I like to be doing. So it has been hard. 

And in that rest came surprising clarity:

• I remembered what energizes me—and what drains me.

• I reflected on what’s working and what’s not.
   
• I saw my own path with fresh NEW eyes. More on that later.

• I decided to leverage the time so I cleaned, organized, did a little makeover on the deck, and painted faded metal things around the yard. Check out the sunflower pic – I should have taken a before picture, but suffice it to say, it was ugly gray metal. Now I look out my office window and can actually see it in the distance! 

Here’s the deck so far…one can always use more plants and flowers.

This unplanned pause became a reset I didn’t know I needed. It helped me take the time to coach myself and reconnect with my true passions and values in my career.

If you’re looking to explore how self-love and career alignment intersect, check out my blog Love Yourself, Love Your Career for tips on fostering a positive relationship with your professional life.

Achieving career clarity isn’t always about making immediate, dramatic changes—it’s often about finding the courage to assess where you truly are and where you truly want to go.

It’s about stepping back, taking a deep breath, and asking yourself some tough questions.

Are you still passionate about what you do?

Does your current role align with your core values and long-term goals?

Career clarity comes when you stop accepting the status quo and start creating a path that reflects your evolving ambitions.

Whether it’s a shift in responsibilities, a complete career pivot, or taking time to build new skills, clarity empowers you to make intentional decisions that align with your true purpose, rather than simply reacting to external pressures.

Signs That You Might Need a Career Clarity Reset

Are you moving through your career with blurry vision and don’t even know it?

Is your “fine” really just “fuzzy?” 

Have you adapted so much that you’ve lost sight of what actually lights you up? 

This message is for you if… 

• You’ve been laid off and feel disoriented 

• You’re employed but secretly burned out 

• You’re ready to pivot, step up, or even start your own business 

• Or you’re simply craving clarity before making your next move 

The truth is, sometimes it takes a pause—whether planned or not—to realign with who you are and where you’re headed. 

The good news? 

You don’t have to have eye surgery to hit the reset button! #WIN 

You can choose career clarity right now. 

I help federal and corporate professionals reframe their stories, reconnect to their big why, and make confident career moves—even in a chaotic job market—whether you’re aiming for a promotion, a new position, or an entirely new path, including entrepreneurship. 

Book a free clarity call with me, and we’ll explore what new vision might look like in your career. 

Because once you’ve seen what’s possible with clearer vision, you’ll never want to go back to “good enough.”

It’s incredibly miraculous to have a new set of eyes. I’m still getting used to them, but I’m so grateful.

And now, I can speak to that literally…what life looks like with a new set of eyes. 😎

Let’s talk.

Reach out to me: Camille@ccCareerSolutions.com