Here in my part of the world, Reader, we're about to celebrate US Independence Day. 🎇🇺🇸🎉

Sure, you might know it by its more popular moniker, "the 4th of July." (Although really—why do we reduce it to a date? I mean, we don't call Christmas "the 25th of December," right? #rant #wordsmatter).

Back in 1776, representatives of the thirteen original colonies declared themselves independent states, breaking away from the British Empire, whose King George had been running the show for a loooong time. 🇬🇧

(And who looked nothing like Hamilton cutie Jonathan Groff 😘.)

But truth is, the real work happened well before July 4, 1776.

Long before that declaration was signed, people had to get clear on who they were and what they wanted.

Their representatives--those wigged guys we think of as the Founders--had to work together (never easy), wrestle with contradictions, and write it all down, one quill stroke at a time.

And eventually, they had to have the courage to act.

☀️ The same goes for us when we want more independence in our lives at work.

We have to get clear on what we really want—and then design a process that helps us move toward it.

That’s the work I guide you through in my on-demand course Get Career Clear. If you’re craving more direction, clarity, or simply a better way to work that feels like you, you’ll find tools and support waiting for you there. (Bonus: I’ve tucked a holiday savings code at the bottom of this note 💰)

Because let’s be honest: wanting change is rarely straightforward.

• We want more connection . . . and we don’t want to be in the office every day.
• We want freedom to decide . . . and also more clarity from our leaders.
• We want a unified team . . . and we want to be fully ourselves.

No wonder work gets so darn confusing.

We want to be independent . . . together.

So where do we begin?

• By slowing down.
• By getting brutally honest about what matters most.
• By asking better questions—and having the courage to live into the answers, even when they conflict.

For me, that mean prioritizing people over projects and getting more comfortable being uncomfortable.

It also means accepting that I can want both:
💬 To surround myself with awesome people,
📚 And to be completely alone with a good book.

What about you, Reader? Where do you want two things that seem to pull in opposite directions? What’s clear—and what’s still fuzzy? Just hit REPLY and tell me. I always love hearing from you.

This weekend, I’ll be soaking in the joy of connection—AND the gift of silence. Contrary to what we were taught, I think you can have both.

Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate—and thanks for being here. You matter. 🎈

Always, Darcy

​

P.S. Thinking it’s time to get clear on what’s next in your career—and even your life? Check out Get Career Clear here—and for a limited time, use code SPARKLER for a 50% holiday savings boost. Boom. 🎇