Breaking Stereotypical Barriers, Here Is How Shweta Ojha Became A Career Woman At 41

“Transitioning from a 24*7 available mom to a not-always-available mom was a challenge for me,” said Shweta Ojha, a mother of two and a homemaker who started her professional journey at the age of 41.

Socially women are conditioned to think their primary duty resides with their family and kids. Ojha herself dedicated 20 years of her life as a homemaker taking care of the house, offering undivided attention to her kids, and being available to them 24*7.

Isn’t that how the world defines a good mother? She keeps running around the clock to cater to the needs of her family, puts her career behind and devotes her entire life to the four walls of her household. But it is 2023, and we are seeing more and more women breaking these orthodox constructs, writing their own definitions of a good mother, and shattering the glass ceiling every day to fly high.

This Mother’s Day, HerZindagi’s Good Mother Project is bringing to you stories of women who despite the pressure from society, fulfilled their dreams and continue to take pride in their choices.

Ojha does not have a sob story but an inspiring one. At the age of 41, she became a Personal Branding Strategist and started an initiative called #LinkedInLocalThane under the global community initiative of #LinkedInLocal. The program aims at strengthening professional connections and building communities. Under this, the members organise organic meetups that offer opportunities for professionals to build networks, discuss industry trends and share best practices to grow on LinkedIn.

Navigating Complex Family Dynamics & Overcoming Societal Expectations

Ojha defines herself as a “resilient independent woman”. When she was starting her professional journey in her early 40s, people asked her several questions and threw comments at her.

“There is no need for you to strive.”

“How far can you possibly go?”

“What is your worth?”

Harsh and brutal criticism made it challenging for Ojha to overcome limiting mindsets and societal expectations. After being a homemaker for about two decades, it was also difficult for her to navigate complex family dynamics. However, she added, “Once we accept and believe in ourselves, nothing is impossible.”

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Experiencing Mom’s Guilt & Overcoming It

We asked if Ojha ever experienced Mom’s guilt. She said "I was not available for my sons when they were in classes 10th and 12th. That is when I started working, therefore, I could not devote my entire day to my kids and household chores."

She shared that her family and kids adjusted well to her starting her professional career at 41. Speaking on the toxic glorification of being a ‘supermom’ stems from social conditioning, which creates expectations and biases.

Ojha shared she had her fair share of triumphs and turbulences as a mother. She brought both of her children into this world via C-section and has been a hands-off mother. “I have encouraged my kids to be independent and responsible. I have always supported them but avoided spoon-feeding,” she added.

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As a homemaker who started her career in her 40s, Ojha believes, “To achieve success, a woman needs to believe in herself, be resilient and adapt.”

If you found this story inspiring, stay tuned to HerZindagi!

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