This Space, This Time...

I have always lived outside of norms and expectations. My family knows this best, as do my hommies, my lovers, and my friends. In 2024, prior to accepting my current role at NAFSA, I was blessed with a sabbatical—a rare window of time to pause and reflect. During those months, I began to deeply ponder a single word: fulfillment . I interrogated what it meant for me, and I invited those in my inner circle to play with the idea alongside me. What I discovered is that this simple word often evokes a tidal wave of emotion. Beneath the surface of "career success," I found vulnerability, grief, embarrassment, and even shame. The Cost of the Climb For mid-to-senior level professionals, reflecting on values, habits, and the norms we’ve accepted over time can be deeply uncomfortable. We are taught that success is a linear ascent. Yet, taking one step after another up the professional ladder often results in the slow abandonment of the self . In exchange for consistency, financial sec...