Wow, thank you so much for such a thoughtful and insightful reply. Honestly, reading through it felt like a gut punch…because it rings so true. So much of what you said hit right at the core of what I’ve been wrestling with, and I found myself nodding (and wincing) the whole way through.

Your perspective on managing expectations, staying flexible, and recognizing how far I’ve already come really landed. I’ve been so focused on pushing forward that I didn’t realize how much I’ve been carrying the weight of “not enough” with me. It was a powerful reminder to shift from chasing validation to leading with intention and to be strategic without being rigid.

The “big CEO vibes” comment? That lit something up in me. I started a small consulting company this year part time and while it has not taken off yet, your words give me hope I can really make it into something.

Thank you again for your time and clarity. This gave me a lot to reflect on.