I’m not who I was a year ago. I’ve changed.
Not in loud, dramatic ways... but in quiet spaces where priorities are decided, where energy is allocated, and where purpose becomes clearer because life forces you to pay attention.
Many of us in HR and leadership spent 2025 navigating heaviness we didn’t anticipate. Challenges at work, challenges at home, challenges that reshaped how we see ourselves and the people we serve.
And while I won’t pretend it was easy, I also won’t ignore what it revealed: Hard years clarify things that easy years hide.
Think about it. When life narrows your focus, suddenly the unnecessary pieces fall away.
You see what matters with startling clarity.
You notice the people who show up.
You become more intentional about the work that deserves your time, and more willing to let go of the things that don’t.
This year reminded me that resilience isn’t just a leadership competency. It’s deeply human. And it’s strengthened not by perfection, but by perspective.
As we step into 2026, here’s what I want for you (and me too):
To everyone who kept going through a year that demanded more than you expected: I see you. Your strength is quiet and resilience evident.
And if this year reshaped your perspective too, I hope 2026 gives you the space, the energy, and the alignment to honor what truly deserves your heart.