One Month Later: Welcoming the Light

The day began with an early morning walk, a little ritual I’ve come to cherish. But before I even stepped out of the car, I took a quiet moment to set an intention: Today, I welcome all things positive. I choose focus. I choose forward.

Today marks exactly one month since my retrenchment. It was a subtle milestone—one I acknowledged gently, without letting it overshadow my spirit. Instead of looking back, I reminded myself to lean into possibility, to keep my eyes, and heart, on what lies ahead.

As the sun rose, I captured a few photos to anchor the moment. The soft hues stretching across the sky felt like a personal reminder that no matter how uncertain the road, each day carries a chance to begin again. A spontaneous coffee catch-up with a friend on the pier added warmth to the morning, proof that connection, even in small doses, can fill your cup in the best way.

With fresh air in my lungs and gratitude in my chest, I returned home ready to dig into interview prep and upskilling, my goal for the day. What I didn’t expect, though, was the curveball, an invitation to a final technical interview, landing squarely in my inbox by mid-day.

The nerves hit me instantly. That familiar wave of “Can I really do this?” started to creep in. But I’ve been here before, faced with the unknown, asked to rise. And I’m starting to become quite the pro at handling the unexpected. So I did what I’ve learned to do, breathe, focus, prepare.

The interview came and went, and to my surprise, it went really well. I walked away not just relieved, but energized. There was a renewed sense of confidence, a quiet voice inside saying, “You’ve still got this.” And I believed it.

For the first time in a long time, I felt that old fire return, the one that lights up when I talk databases, logic, problem-solving. I felt a glimpse of what it means to thrive again, not just survive. Maybe this is what hope looks like when it finally finds its way back in, like a sunrise after weeks of grey.

There’s still a way to go. But today reminded me that even in a season of uncertainty, there’s movement. There’s growth. And yes, there’s light at the end of this tunnel.

~Nerusha