Dear friend,

Today, I considered quitting my job, changing my name, and starting a new life as a mysterious woman who runs a tiny bookstore by the sea. You know, the usual midweek meltdown.

The thing is, I want something new—something better. But right now, I’m stuck in the negativity swamp of my workplace, and it’s making me forget who I am. Like, did I actually used to be confident? Ambitious? Not completely exhausted by 2 PM? Hard to say.

So, how do I get myself back? How do I trust myself again? How do I stop letting Susan’s terrible microwave choices ruin my entire mood? (Seriously, fish? In an office?)

Step 1: Progress Isn’t a Movie Montage

Would I love a dramatic “glow-up” moment where I magically transform into my best self overnight? Yes. Is that how real life works? Absolutely not.

Progress isn’t just the big, exciting things—it’s the little, unglamorous stuff. Like:

• Getting through a bad day without quitting on impulse.

• Starting to dream again, even if it still feels scary.

• Not crying in the bathroom today. (Small wins count!)

Step 2: Confidence Comes from Receipts, Not Vibes

I don’t feel confident right now, but I also once thought I’d never survive my last job, yet here I am. I’ve done hard things before. I can do them again.

So instead of waiting to feel like some unstoppable boss, I’ll just remind myself of the times I thought I couldn’t do something—but did it anyway. Confidence follows courage, not the other way around.

Step 3: My Workplace is a Bad Reality Show, and I Am Not a Contestant

This place is draining me, but that’s their problem, not mine. My future is bigger than this office, and I refuse to let other people’s bad energy make me forget that.

Also, if someone could replace our management with golden retrievers in tiny suits, I think workplace morale would improve significantly.

Step 4: Trust Myself and Just Take the Leap

What if I take this new opportunity and fail? Well, what if I stay here and regret it forever?

I’ll never feel 100% ready—so I just have to do it anyway.

Step 5: Find Butter Again

I need to remember who I actually am, outside of work stress and self-doubt. So tonight, I’m going to:

• Dance around my apartment like an unhinged Muppet.

• Rewatch something dumb that makes me laugh until I snort.

• Call a friend who reminds me I’m not as lost as I feel.

That’s the plan. If future me is reading this and still overthinking, please go outside, take a deep breath, and remember: You’ve survived worse. You’ll survive this too.

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be running that little bookstore by the sea someday. But first—one brave step at a time.