I’ve always tied my worth to achievement—grades, promotions, gold stars, the works. So when I started bouncing between short-term jobs and then got laid off from two of them, it rocked me. I felt like I had lost my identity. Who was I without a job title to lean on. That question sent me down a path of self-discovery I didn’t expect. I began to seek meaning in relationships, creativity, play, and being present with people I love. It hasn’t been easy—I'm still learning—but I now believe I have value regardless of my employment status. Since January, I’ve been back in the job hunt. Some days, it’s brutal. I’ve been ghosted, rejected, and let down by people I thought were in my corner. But I’ve also found hope in surprising places—like a recruiter who actually responds, a LinkedIn view from someone I admire, or a good conversation that helps me feel seen. Those little moments of connection keep me going, and I want to offer that same lifeline to you. You are not alone in this.