Week 26: 6 months went by — when did that happen?

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It’s here! This coming Thursday marks exactly six months since I started my apprenticeship and my Praxis graduation.

The events of these last six months have changed me inside and out, in ways that won’t be obvious to others unless they listen closely and look into my eyes, face to face.

Work update

This week I was converted to an official employee at Lessonbee! I don’t know what the future holds, but I will be doing my best to contribute with a solid work ethic, strive to craft impactful learning experiences, and continue the pursuit of improvement. 

In the last six months, I have gone from a nervous 19-year-old apprentice afraid of failure to a 20-year-old business professional confidently running meetings, spearheading recruitment efforts, nurturing partnerships, and honing a new craft. Of course, I still have my days of doubt and fierce imposter syndrome–I don’t know if that will ever entirely be gone.

What I do know is God has my back, and I do my best to trust in that with every step I take forward.

Personal update

This moment felt so far away six months ago. Now that I’m here, it feels like yesterday I was boarding the train for my first day on the job.

In some ways, it’s crazier thinking about it now than it was living it! I had no idea what was waiting for me, not a clue what my reality would be. I try to practice what I preach, and if you read last week’s edition, you’ll know what I mean. I want to take a moment and be proud of myself.

This academically challenged, fish out of water, hopeless dreamer of a small-town girl earned an apprenticeship, moved across the country, and proved herself enough to take on equity at a company. She pulled herself through a pandemic lockdown 3,000 miles away from everything she knew while learning a new job, and she did it all without becoming an alcoholic or turning around and heading home.

I graduate Praxis on September 10th and I can hardly believe it.

I am incredibly blessed to have made it this far, and I can’t stress enough how outstanding it is to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive community. I quite literally wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the Praxis community and network.

These months have been some of the hardest of my life, and I’ve grown so much. Sometimes I wonder how different this would have gone if the world hadn’t plummeted into the abyss of catastrophic events that it did, but then I remind myself that it’s no good to play with what if’s when there’s truly no way to find out what an alternative reality would look like. And what for? I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. (Though I could have done with a few less of those Progresso meals…)

One of the most critical changes I’ve made is accepting that it’s one-hundred percent normal to have hard days, and you don’t have to have it together 24/7 to be successful. 

Since I’ve been on my own, I see more than ever that it’s not a crime to have needs, and it’s not unreasonable to confront people if you feel there’s a conversation that needs to happen.

I am under no obligation to mold myself into a shape that’s best for everyone except me.

I don’t know the future. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and I don’t know what state the world will be in a year from now.

But I trust the one who does.

As for these blog updates, I’m not sure what they will look like moving forward. Right now, I’m thinking of posting an update every other week and seeing how that goes.

Please let me know how often you’d like to hear from me if you’re invested in this crazy journey. Six months is only the beginning!

Thank you endlessly to everyone who has helped me, offered kind words, followed along, and supported me through this insanity.

Thank you for reading — it lifts my spirits to know that my expriences and thoughts resonate with others out there.