Growing.

Last week, I attended my last Annual Program Meeting as a Fellow. To say the least, the experience was charged with so many different feelings.

It's always super exciting to see the Fellows and catch up on what has transpired since the last time we met. But I am also typically very anxious as this trip requires me to gather my most "professional" clothes and network with many people over the span of 5 days.

I must say, that this year was a transformational experience for me. In Tampa, I really came to see myself among the sea of other Social Workers and attendees, and really began to feel at home with who I am among the masses.

I am not a loud, boisterous, always social, person. . . I'm much more like a quiet, but conscious presence. I felt good to be here for the first time and not be so in my head about how I fit in and what others see and think of me from the outside.

I heard my voice among the crowds. I shared my thoughts in places where it felt authentic and I even stepped boldly into a place of leadership in effort to address something that I felt was unjust.

I definitely left the City exhausted, but I was also charged by how good I felt about being me!

What a perfect feeling to have as I prepare for this proposal defense to go down in T minus 4 days. I settle into who I am, just in time to get ready to launch myself into the world on the other side of this academic trek.

That.Feels.Good.

I could say way more…but I'm just going to end in that place.

Thanks for listening!!