It’s Never Too Late to Build Yourself Up

It can be terrifying to sit at home when all you know revolves around work. Layoffs, maternity breaks, or health-related breaks can throw you off balance. Five years back I’ve been there, for eight long months. It was during the peak of COVID , I was in a new country and top of that when my offer letter was pulled back. I cannot express how much effort I had poured into landing that opportunity. Everything felt shaky. Thankfully, my family stood by me through that tough time. I still remember my partner talking me out of my lows, and my son slipping a letter with a heart and “best of luck” under the door before an interview. Those moments kept me going.

For the first time in my life, I doubted my professional capabilities. I was always confident when it came to interviews, I was a pro at cracking them. Every time I had switched roles, I’d have multiple offers to choose from. But this situation was overwhelming. I realized I needed to invest in myself. Money was tight, though not scarce. We weren’t living hand-to-mouth, but when you’re used to living comfortably, a tighter budget still puts pressure on you. I took the hard decision to spend on certifications, and it paid off. Those eight months taught me resilience and so much more.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of cultivating hobbies and exploring interests outside of work. It’s not about earning immediately but about keeping yourself engaged and discovering new sides of yourself. I had barely invested in myself before this experience. I…