I started my new job about six weeks ago and today I was awarded Employee of the Month! 🥳 This is a huge milestone for me, especially since I've never received such an accolade before. The entire company votes on the recipient, and I was genuinely surprised to see the positive feedback from my colleagues. My journey to this point has been challenging. I left my career job in April 2025 after having a baby and struggled with postpartum depression, which made it tough to return to work. I took a three-month maternity leave and went back to a bar I used to work at, but I found it increasingly difficult to juggle my responsibilities there. I applied for various positions, went through a rough patch with my mental health, and even took a break from job searching for a while. After regaining my strength, I began applying again, and to my surprise, I landed an interview for a job I didn't think I would hear back from. After a second interview, I was offered the position! Initially, I thought there might not have been much competition, but I later learned that the hiring process was quite rigorous, which boosted my confidence and helped me overcome my imposter syndrome. I've been working hard, taking on more responsibilities, and managing multiple schedules. On top of that, I've lost 45 pounds naturally over the last 1.5 years, and I'm feeling better mentally than ever. It took a lot of personal growth and therapy to get here, but I finally feel like I'm thriving. This experience has taught me the importance of persistence and hard work. I had moments of doubt, believing I would never find a job I truly valued, but I kept pushing forward. So, to anyone out there struggling, don't give up! Your efforts will pay off!