426 days, back home.
Safe, sound, happy and alcohol-free.
Did I mention happy?
It went really well. I was so nervous when I stepped on that stage. Never done something like that in my life. Prepared myself best as I could the day before, repeating my main points until they came out naturally.I was among my industry’s giants. It was a big deal for me. I spoke clearly and had very positive feedback from the conference attendees. Even one of my former bosses was there - from a company I left in December - and was impressed! Mission accomplished!
Yesterday my teammates called me before the awards ceremony at the end of the event to tell me to join them - they were having drinks.
I finished my coffee calmly and joined them. Asked for a coke zero. “You don’t drink?” “No, not really” They were surprised - even though culturally some of them were not supposed to drink. In their young minds they probably thought “If she comes from a culture that allows you to drink, why wouldn’t she?” I refrained from qualifying “why I don’t drink”. It’s not a big deal. And sure enough, the amount of time spent dwelling on it is just under a minute. Had a great chat and laughs.
The awards ceremony. A bar at the very entrance, and I get a glass with sparking water, ice and lemon. My teammates and everyone around is having one glass after another. The conversation is not that engaging - I excuse myself and find my former boss and a former colleague. They are also having drinks and I join them with a cup of tea. Have a lovely conversation and they don’t even notice I’m not drinking.
Lunch was great and the team goes out for more drinks after. I told them I was treating myself to a spa treatment and that was that.
I’m so happy I managed all these moments so much better than I would have 425 days ago! I didn’t feel pressured to drink or the need to soften the stress of the situation by drinking.
So happy.
So grateful.
Appreciate you all being part of my growth and being witnesses to it - it’s the thing that I feel like I miss in real life, and having you here means the world to me… Really does. 