Hey you. I hope you’re doing well. I know you always thought about your future and what that looks like. But chill, at 23 you’ve got a whole lot of life ahead of you. 

Twelve years later, at 35, you’ve accomplished a few things. You finally found a career path you’re excited about, but that doesn’t mean you should discount all the roles you held before. 

You started as a reporter and editor with Interrobang, then made your way into the real estate industry in comms. You thought you would stay in comms for the long haul or move into editing, so you found your next role with a textbook publisher. Not as an editor, but as a digital content developer (DCD), which randomly involved HTML and basic coding. It was the first time you got a taste of working remotely and you loved it. So, you stuck it out for four years. 

It was fun for the first two, then you started getting antsy because you were interested in full-time employment and upwards movement, but it never materialized. You floundered until you turned 30 and you promised you would get a new job that year (during a global pandemic).

It didn’t happen. 

In fact, it wouldn’t happen until the last quarter of 2021, at the age of 31. An old colleague at the textbook publisher reached out because she remembered you from those days and said you had potential to break into project management. You were wavering between instructional design and project management anyway. What did you have to lose? 

So come November, you start your job as a project manager at an agency. This is also the first time you’re introduced to the pharma industry. And you love it here. Not only do you have a knack for it, but you also carried over skills as an editor and even as a DCD that were fully transferrable in ways that were unimaginable (at the time). 

It’s been four years since, and you’re thriving. Sure, you’ve survived enough rounds of layoffs, you’re the most stressed you’ve ever been, but you made something of yourself. 

Did I find love?

You did. Not in the traditional way like you initially thought. You did not meet him at church or work. Or the grocery store, even though you knew hot boys go shopping at 8 p.m. You didn’t get set up by your matchmaker friend (who was 3:3 at the time). You met him on OKCupid, and he was kind, intelligent, and best of all—6’ 5”. You differ in a lot of ways, but you also wind up laughing together a lot, but mostly because of how awkward you are. And you found out you actually enjoy stand-up comedy, so you’ve been to a lot of shows in the nine years you’ve been together, including Jerry Seinfeld, John Mulaney, and Louis C.K. to name a few.

You got married by the way. And bought a house. Both come with their own laundry list of struggles, but you and your husband finally feel settled and are taking steps towards creating that family you’ve always dreamed about.

I just want you to remember to enjoy the journey life takes you. You never know what skills you’re going to learn or who you’re going to meet. Also, things take time. Don’t rush or compare yourself to others. Just continue to kick ass at everything that’s thrown at you. 

I’m proud of you. 

Love, me.