A lesson from the Barbie movie

So as not to be stressed the day before school starts, I finally got to watch Barbie with my daughter and her friend—yeah, we finally boarded the Barbie movie train! 🚂 And guess what? While we were watching, something interesting happened.

So there's this scene where Ken is feeling completely lost because his entire identity is dependent on Barbie's approval. And my daughter absolutely understood where he was coming from! She was completely invested, empathising with Ken's journey. And, truth be told, I was right there with her.

🎉 But it made me think. How frequently do we associate our self-worth with what others think of us? 🤔 It's more than a "Ken thing"; it's a human thing.

So, as you return to your routine after a well-deserved summer break, remember to stay self-aware, but not to the point of succumbing to those who micromanage your work, undermine it, or even those who lack self-awareness, causing them to focus on your inadequacies rather than their own.

Here's how:

📝 Journaling: Keep a journal for the purpose of reminding yourself of your good work. This will allow your brain to focus on your work rather than words projected on you.

🤝 Network: Connect with people who bring out the best in you. Meet people for coffee or tea you've always wanted to meet or speak with. Make mistakes during those meet-ups. After several of these meet-ups, you will notice that your brain has replaced their toxic words with those that raise you up. Be ruthless in eliminating anyone who gives off a toxic vibe.

🖼️ Visualise: Take the time to think and visualise what your next chapter looks like. There is no better way to escape a toxic work environment than by getting out.

📱 Post: Whenever possible, post reaffirming messages on your social channels.


The female characters in the movie—especially Barbie and her squad—were rocking some serious self-awareness vibes. Navigating challenges, chasing dreams, and owning their identities like bosses. 💪 It made me realise that one trait distinguished them from the Kens of the world: they were more self-aware and welcomed the unique strengths of others, which the Kens (not gender-specific) of the world still need to realise.