Starting over is never easy — not because something’s wrong, but because change shakes up what we’re used to. I spent four years in corporate, building, shaping, shaking, breaking, and fixing things. I had power — maybe more than I realized — and then came the question: “So… what’s next, Anne?” That pause? It was necessary. I cried in therapy, re-evaluated everything, and finally told myself, “It’s time.”
Funny how I only went to therapy for work problems — but turns out, the way we handle work reflects who we are. It opened up so many layers of myself I never saw coming. If you’re ever feeling stuck or off, I can’t recommend therapy enough — not just for the guidance, but for the neutral space it offers. It’s not for fixing — it’s for evolving.
I now live by the mantra: One day at a time. No rush. No pressure. Just presence. And honestly? It’s been liberating. The moment I stopped trying to control everything, doors started opening. I got to travel to represent the company, connect deeply with my team and my fellow F&B people, have the best time with journalists from around the world, and see the best in my boss — things I would’ve missed if I stayed guarded.
Think of it like going to the gym for the first time. Awkward, unfamiliar, maybe intimidating. But you show up, and little by little, you find your rhythm. You gain strength. You make friends. And one day, it feels like home.
Trust doesn’t come instantly. It’s earned — and I’m earning it, one honest day at a time.
