Well-put, Marine. If I may, I would suggest that you take a little time and maybe research nonprofit organizations that align with your values. Aside from your own unique blend of skills and experience, nonprofits love Marines because the NPO model requires what colleges don't/can't/won't teach: leadership. Even at points in my life when I wasn't where I wanted to be professionally, volunteering to help others has always been deeply rewarding and motivating.
All normal and ok Kayla. Hold your head high because you are in control, you made a decision and carried it out. It may not be obvious now but you will look back and see that it was a good decision. Businesses move on..they have to. You will be missed but then they too (hopefully) continue to great things. A new door will open and a refreshed Kayla hungry for the next challenge will step through it. Having gone to The Cidadel and you to the USNA we are built different then most folks and aren’t wired to slow down. I’ve been in the situation of job change couple of times and had I not taken the step toward a relatively unknown situation then I wouldn’t be where I am today, wouldn’t have had the opportunity for a wonderful wife or to meet people like you on Twitter that have enriched my life more than y’all will ever know. As I approach retirement in (if all goes to plan) a couple of years I contemplate what comes next. For sure there will be something that maybe goes in a different direction but the new challenge will be there waiting for someone to pick it up. Your future is bright and a lot of your followers are looking forward to what you do next. I know I am.
Great explanation of your thoughts and feelings, Kayla. After I transitioned out of the Marine Corps, I too, jumped right into the workforce without taking a break. Take your time and reflect on what makes you tick, and where you want to go from here! Semper Fi
Thanks for writing about this. Too often, especially in veteran circles, there seems to be a repetitive pattern of moving rapidly between jobs without giving much thought to other very important aspects of life.
Highly recommend two books to anyone “in between” chapters in their life:
1) From Strength to Strength
2) Eating Glass
What I’ve found in my own journey is clearly defining who I am without the uniform has been extremely beneficial.
By taking this pause, I think you made an important step toward acknowledging that you are more than and are worth more than just your output, even if there are parts of you that might resist it. The questions that you're finding answers to as well as where you envision yourself are all part of the trajectory in this pause that show how this isn't a static moment in your life. I like that you're choosing to view the feeling you wake up with as data; it's workable in a way that lets you build toward something instead of pushing you to something. I think you're on the right track with your pause with a good mindset as you go about it. Keep paying attention and being honest with what you find. If bringing us on this journey helps keep you accountable to yourself (at the very least, I know I'm like that), then let us keep joining you. You've got this!
Great post. The way you described that quiet, underlying fear, and then reframed the pause as part of the work itself, was powerful and honest. I especially appreciated your point about learning to treat that sense of urgency as data, not direction. That’s a hard-earned perspective.
It takes real courage to sit in that space instead of rushing to fill it, and your reflection captures that tension beautifully. Grateful you shared this…..there’s a lot here that will stick with people.
Life has a funny way of putting you where you need to be, when you need to be there. Clearly something about the last role wasn't working out for you (not that we likely would have noticed because I can't imagine a company having a better cheerleader without, you know, hiring actual cheerleaders). Good luck to you on whatever role is next.
Many of us, especially military place self induced pressure on ourselves. We need a combat rest period to adjust, re-plan, then when we are ready move on to the next engagement. Semper Fi!
In 9 days I turn 69 and along this journey there has been pauses in my life, the in-between reboots of life and growth. Now I've been rebooted 1 more time, I've come to realize I can rest and take it in, I can breathe. I'm proud of my sister (you) and what you've accomplished on your journey and you will find the door to open when the time is right. SF
My two cents: In recognizing that you should take a knee, and then having the wherewithal to actually do it, you're well on your way to learning what really matters for you and what your own personal mission is in life (or at least at this stage, no need to figure it all out at once.) Take the time you need to be deliberate about it, and beware the 'mission first' snake oil salesmen that pollute the private sector in the natsec space. Private companies in the defense space know that 'mission first' is how we're wired, and will happily take that mindset and its associated lexicon and leverage it for all its worth in pursuit of their business goals, regardless of end result for the warfighter. You're right to be discerning, keep up the good work Marine.
Having ended and then began anew 4 times, with major career switches each time, I will suggest it is God's way of broadening you, preparing you for the much more consequential work ahead of you. Seek a new, yet complimentary, direction. And you are spot on, Superstar, is realizing the time spent in between is most useful. Make sure the next step IS a next step....upward. And onward. You got it, kiddo.
Stop. You are over sharing too soon. We all are dying to know how you were not a good fit where you were. You seemed to be crushing it. But that's the point of socials. Right? You are sensitive to the change. We would have never known but fir this confession. We don't matter. We will give this deep epistemological moment 4 seconds then move on. You are the only one that cares as much as you do.you have classic Marine Corps purposelessness syndrome and are filling it the best way you can with PR. Here's the thing. We don't belong in this moment. Don't invite us in. You will hurt yourself needing to live with such public expectations that you put on you and we scroll past. I liked seeing the picture of you painting. That struck me as super healthy. The Internet is not your CO and we do not need a sitrep once a week. Take time to be you. You're very bright and skilled. You'll be fine. In 6 months you'll look back at all this confession stuff and wish it hadn't happened. Oray e you'll feel pride and I am too old to get the confessional. Remember TBS. When you were overwhelmed what did your training tell you to do? Do that. SF Marine.
Life is a sequence of evolutions. Who knows, maybe you will decide to go back to school for something as you have found a new calling for your heart.
Well-put, Marine. If I may, I would suggest that you take a little time and maybe research nonprofit organizations that align with your values. Aside from your own unique blend of skills and experience, nonprofits love Marines because the NPO model requires what colleges don't/can't/won't teach: leadership. Even at points in my life when I wasn't where I wanted to be professionally, volunteering to help others has always been deeply rewarding and motivating.
Semper Fi
There is much wisdom in your reflection. Rooting for you, whatever you decide to do next (and however long you are in between).
All normal and ok Kayla. Hold your head high because you are in control, you made a decision and carried it out. It may not be obvious now but you will look back and see that it was a good decision. Businesses move on..they have to. You will be missed but then they too (hopefully) continue to great things. A new door will open and a refreshed Kayla hungry for the next challenge will step through it. Having gone to The Cidadel and you to the USNA we are built different then most folks and aren’t wired to slow down. I’ve been in the situation of job change couple of times and had I not taken the step toward a relatively unknown situation then I wouldn’t be where I am today, wouldn’t have had the opportunity for a wonderful wife or to meet people like you on Twitter that have enriched my life more than y’all will ever know. As I approach retirement in (if all goes to plan) a couple of years I contemplate what comes next. For sure there will be something that maybe goes in a different direction but the new challenge will be there waiting for someone to pick it up. Your future is bright and a lot of your followers are looking forward to what you do next. I know I am.
Great explanation of your thoughts and feelings, Kayla. After I transitioned out of the Marine Corps, I too, jumped right into the workforce without taking a break. Take your time and reflect on what makes you tick, and where you want to go from here! Semper Fi
Thanks for writing about this. Too often, especially in veteran circles, there seems to be a repetitive pattern of moving rapidly between jobs without giving much thought to other very important aspects of life.
Highly recommend two books to anyone “in between” chapters in their life:
1) From Strength to Strength
2) Eating Glass
What I’ve found in my own journey is clearly defining who I am without the uniform has been extremely beneficial.
By taking this pause, I think you made an important step toward acknowledging that you are more than and are worth more than just your output, even if there are parts of you that might resist it. The questions that you're finding answers to as well as where you envision yourself are all part of the trajectory in this pause that show how this isn't a static moment in your life. I like that you're choosing to view the feeling you wake up with as data; it's workable in a way that lets you build toward something instead of pushing you to something. I think you're on the right track with your pause with a good mindset as you go about it. Keep paying attention and being honest with what you find. If bringing us on this journey helps keep you accountable to yourself (at the very least, I know I'm like that), then let us keep joining you. You've got this!
Great post. The way you described that quiet, underlying fear, and then reframed the pause as part of the work itself, was powerful and honest. I especially appreciated your point about learning to treat that sense of urgency as data, not direction. That’s a hard-earned perspective.
It takes real courage to sit in that space instead of rushing to fill it, and your reflection captures that tension beautifully. Grateful you shared this…..there’s a lot here that will stick with people.
Semper Fi
Life has a funny way of putting you where you need to be, when you need to be there. Clearly something about the last role wasn't working out for you (not that we likely would have noticed because I can't imagine a company having a better cheerleader without, you know, hiring actual cheerleaders). Good luck to you on whatever role is next.
Many of us, especially military place self induced pressure on ourselves. We need a combat rest period to adjust, re-plan, then when we are ready move on to the next engagement. Semper Fi!
In 9 days I turn 69 and along this journey there has been pauses in my life, the in-between reboots of life and growth. Now I've been rebooted 1 more time, I've come to realize I can rest and take it in, I can breathe. I'm proud of my sister (you) and what you've accomplished on your journey and you will find the door to open when the time is right. SF
My two cents: In recognizing that you should take a knee, and then having the wherewithal to actually do it, you're well on your way to learning what really matters for you and what your own personal mission is in life (or at least at this stage, no need to figure it all out at once.) Take the time you need to be deliberate about it, and beware the 'mission first' snake oil salesmen that pollute the private sector in the natsec space. Private companies in the defense space know that 'mission first' is how we're wired, and will happily take that mindset and its associated lexicon and leverage it for all its worth in pursuit of their business goals, regardless of end result for the warfighter. You're right to be discerning, keep up the good work Marine.
Having ended and then began anew 4 times, with major career switches each time, I will suggest it is God's way of broadening you, preparing you for the much more consequential work ahead of you. Seek a new, yet complimentary, direction. And you are spot on, Superstar, is realizing the time spent in between is most useful. Make sure the next step IS a next step....upward. And onward. You got it, kiddo.
Stop. You are over sharing too soon. We all are dying to know how you were not a good fit where you were. You seemed to be crushing it. But that's the point of socials. Right? You are sensitive to the change. We would have never known but fir this confession. We don't matter. We will give this deep epistemological moment 4 seconds then move on. You are the only one that cares as much as you do.you have classic Marine Corps purposelessness syndrome and are filling it the best way you can with PR. Here's the thing. We don't belong in this moment. Don't invite us in. You will hurt yourself needing to live with such public expectations that you put on you and we scroll past. I liked seeing the picture of you painting. That struck me as super healthy. The Internet is not your CO and we do not need a sitrep once a week. Take time to be you. You're very bright and skilled. You'll be fine. In 6 months you'll look back at all this confession stuff and wish it hadn't happened. Oray e you'll feel pride and I am too old to get the confessional. Remember TBS. When you were overwhelmed what did your training tell you to do? Do that. SF Marine.
https://experimentalhistory.substack.com/p/thank-you-for-being-annoying?r=bp8u0&utm_medium=ios
Worthy advice for seekers.