Dear Diary: Moving forward with confidence: Stories of resilience and growth

I didn’t expect to lose my job. I didn’t expect my role to be eliminated. And I definitely didn’t expect to lose something much deeper ... my confidence.

When everything you’ve poured yourself into is suddenly gone, it hits in ways that words can’t always explain. I went quiet. I slipped into a deep state of depression I didn’t want to admit. And in that stillness, I found myself disconnecting from people, from joy, and honestly, from myself.

There were days when the only “connection” I had with the outside world was posting on social media. A highlight reel curated and filtered, while I sat alone with unfiltered thoughts and feelings that felt too heavy to hold.

What I feared most wasn’t just the job loss. It was the isolation that came after.

But I knew I couldn’t stay there.

So, I started pushing myself, gently, imperfectly, but intentionally. I reached out to people. I said yes to conversations. I showed up even when I didn’t feel ready. And slowly, something started to shift.

Not all at once. But in small, quiet moments.

Connection helps.

Community helps.

Giving yourself grace helps.

This post isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about choosing to keep going, even when your confidence feels like it’s in pieces. It’s about owning your story, even the messy, painful parts. Especially those.

Because this is what resilience looks like: Messy. Brave. Real.

If you’re in a place where the light feels far away, I want you to know you’re not alone. Not even close.

This space, this podcast, these words... they’re all part of my healing. And maybe, they can be part of yours too.

Thanks for walking with me in the in-between.

With gratitude,

Diana Gonzalez-Lehboub