This story is about moving forward without feeling ready, and learning that uncertainty does not mean you should stop.

Pen Name or Anonymous: Anonymous
Age & Location: 30, Cleveland, Ohio

Perseverance is essential, often known as the foundation for building confidence, clarity, and determination towards work. But for me, it was not a straightforward process. It took time to connect the dots between my thoughts and actions, and even longer to develop a clear mindset toward my goals. There were periods when I continued moving forward while feeling deeply uncertain about my abilities, my direction, and whether I was truly doing enough. Alongside this, my uncertainty triggered anxiety that was difficult to explain. I worried excessively about results, even before anything had fully initiated. My thoughts constantly revolved around outcomes, performance, and the fear of defeat.

Without realizing it, my mindset became exorbitantly competitive. I found myself comparing my progress with others and tying my self-worth to recognition and achievement. Being acknowledged provoked an unspoken pressure to consistently perform at the same level. The fear of disappointing others after being praised quietly challenged me; taking each step forward felt progressively fragile.

At the very beginning of a program I participated in, before things had truly commenced, I remember feeling an overwhelming urge to stop, leave, and return home immediately. A simple thought kept repeating in my mind: “I’m done. Let’s go home.” It wasn’t because I had failed; it was fear embodied by exhaustion and self-doubt that arrived earlier than I expected. I tried to respond by pushing myself harder, believing that certainty would come with gradual and conclusive effort. Instead, the constant mental strain left me drained and disconnected from my own needs.

Over time, I began to understand that uncertainty does not mean incapability, and anxiety does not mean weakness. Often, these feelings appear when something truly matters. During that period, the constant support of close friends and the encouragement of my professors played a pivotal role in helping me navigate the situation. Their belief in me, at that time when my own confidence felt vulnerable and my career appeared to be jeopardized, aided in restoring my perspective.

Gradually, I learned to face my fears, practice resilience, and trust that things would unfold in their own time. My faith in God also became a quiet source of inner strength, slowly reshaping how I viewed challenges. I began prioritizing my mental health and working toward a healthier balance between work and life. Over time, small successes and continued learning helped me recognize that many of my perceived limitations were unreal and self-imposed. Persistence took on a different meaning: not forcing confidence, but continuing even when confidence felt low, staying calm even when comparison was tempting, and choosing not to walk away when leaving felt easier. I have now learned that strength does not always look like certainty or fearlessness. Sometimes it appears as a ‘quiet move’ in a clamorous environment. As you are moving forward, if you are quietly questioning yourself, know that you are not alone.

What would you say to someone who is going through a similar situation?:

Be calm, relax, and don't listen to what your brain is saying — the brain itself can manipulate your thoughts. Try to understand your thoughts, rationalize them, or seek help from close ones, and remember there is a solution for every single problem you might think of.