This has to be what forever feels like. I feel like I have been working forever, but in a good way. It’s funny, in 60 days I have met my goals: learn as much as I can, connect with colleagues, and settle in. Professionally, I am happy where I am and with my progress. Personally, I am happy with myself and my progress. But I have noticed some residual effects in my personal life and relationships.
You always hear how “success changes you”. “Success” has made me more focused and created a sense of security in myself. I thought I was a candle, turns out I was the sun— shout out to Iain Thomas. This new endeavor was a stretch career, and I am loving leaning into the discomfort. It makes me more comfortable and confident every time I conquer a challenge or work through a blocker. People should start popularizing “Success changes how people feel about you and themselves, and when you hold your light to some people their demons they get agitated”.
The modality and mentality of being resilient, future-facing, solution-oriented, growth-minded, and positive, is becoming less of a habit and more of an existential practice. In my personal life things and people are less of a problem by comparison. I don’t feel doubtful or small. It is a hard realization that not everyone wants you to be comfortable and confident. I am seeing people shy away from the new confident Kim. Lately, I have been called fake, inconsiderate, and a liar for seeing the bright side. When some family and friends ask me how I “really feel” or how I am “really doing”, I see they want me to say I am struggling, mad, or insecure. Sorry not sorry, but I am at a point that to fail would simply be a first attempt at learning and I would gladly try again. If you are growing understand that some leaves need to be trimmed, some weeds pulled, repotting, etc. Understand growing is a process and enjoy it. I hope your relationships are more supportive of your journey. If not, they liked that you acted like a candle, cause that meant they could snuff you out. Be the sun!
Classroom to Corporate 