Today marks the official end of my time at a job that was more than just a paycheck—it was a place where I found purpose and made some incredible connections. It’s hard to put into words just how bittersweet this moment feels. There’s a lot of gratitude for the years I spent there, but also a lingering sadness that I didn’t get to close this chapter the way I’d hoped.

I’ve been away for a few months on leave, and my last days on the company payroll have been spent on vacation. It’s given me time to breathe, unwind, and take in the lighter side of life, but it hasn’t erased the strange feeling of leaving things unfinished. When I went back to the office a few weeks ago, I found myself walking the halls like I was searching for a part of me that used to live there. I wandered past familiar desks and peeked into conference rooms, half-expecting to catch a glimpse of the old me who thrived in that space. But no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find her. It was like the place had moved on without me—or maybe I had moved on without even realizing it. It felt strange, like I’d outgrown the space, or maybe it had outgrown me.

I wish I’d had the chance to say goodbye properly, to wrap things up and close this chapter with a sense of finality. But sometimes, life doesn’t give us the clean break we hope for. Instead, we have to accept a quiet goodbye and find our own way to move forward. It feels a little unfinished, but I’m learning to be okay with that.

Despite the imperfect ending, I know I’m heading toward lighter days. There’s a kind of freedom in letting go, even if it’s a little messy. I’m choosing to prioritize my own well-being, to trust that this shift will lead to new opportunities, and to allow myself the space to figure out what comes next. It’s a bit scary stepping into the unknown, but there’s also a sense of relief—like I’m finally making room for the parts of life I’ve been putting on hold.

So, I’m letting this goodbye be what it is: a bit bittersweet, a little imperfect, and necessary. I’m grateful for the memories, the people, and the growth I found there. And as I walk away from the job I loved, I’m looking ahead to days that feel a little lighter, a little more my own, and full of whatever comes next. Here’s to closing the door quietly and embracing the next chapter, wherever it may lead.