It’s been almost three years since I wrote a blog post on this site. I think that once I started my professional career, it became less of a priority because I had achieved my dream. For the longest time, I was aiming to land a permanent job at the company I love in the department I love, and once I got it, I put all of myself into doing that job. Since finishing my professional internship, I climbed from Account Intern to Account Coordinator to Associate Account Manager.

I’m always working towards new professional goals, but this year I decided I miss the more personal writing that came with this blog. I’ve spent three years writing in someone else’s voice and this year I want to rediscover my own.

A year ago I made a huge decision to move from Orlando to Los Angeles, and in September 2017 I did just that. Now, I’m living with my sister and our friend in a townhouse in the Valley and I feel a new sense of possibilities ahead of me. Possibilities for getting better at my job, for exploring my new city, and for focusing on things that truly matter to me personally.

2018 is going to be a year of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I’m not always the most outgoing person in the room or the most outspoken, but I am going to strive to speak up and speak proudly. If I can learn to do that, then I can accelerate towards that personal and professional growth.

Someone recently told me the following words, which have really stuck with me this week: What you have to say is important and meaningful. It’s easy to lose confidence when you feel intimidated at work or in your social life, but when I feel that way, I am going to try to think of those words. I shouldn’t feel nervous to speak because what I am saying matters – otherwise, I wouldn’t be saying it. If I can remember in the moment, that what I have to say is meaningful, maybe I can convince myself to say it louder and prouder.

I’m going to use my blog to remind myself that my voice means something.