Being Kind to Yourself

One Foot in Front of the Other

I’m writing this from the Vancouver airport, reflecting on a whirlwind week at Royal Roads University (RRU) plus a couple of days at the Certn office in Victoria. Last week was extra special because it marked the completion of **my first year** in this doctoral journey. With our formal coursework behind us, it’s time to tackle new challenges—like preparing for candidacy exams—and, with a bit of luck, officially becoming a Doctoral Candidate before it’s time to say goodbye to 2025.

But let me back up a moment. Back in January, I was convinced I wouldn’t make it to residence week. I felt I was barely holding everything together—work, school, family, life—and definitely not excelling at any of it. I even broke down on the couch a few weeks ago, convinced there was no way I’d be ready. It was my partner’s unwavering support in that moment (and all the moments before and since) that kept me going; she held me to the promise I asked of her: don’t let me quit, no matter what.

Then, during the doctoral conference, I was honoured with three academic awards for my proposal and presentation: Potential to Advance Knowledge, Communicating Research Ideas, and Proposed Research Design 🤯. It blew me away and reminded me that even when we feel like we’re not doing enough, or not making progress, each small step—every late-night reading, every discussion with peers—truly matters.

For me, this isn’t just about earning a degree. My work is rooted in inclusive leadership—figuring out how to foster spaces where everyone feels they belong and that they can contribute to their fullest potential. I’m passionate about turning theory into real-world strategies that help leaders create environments where differences are genuinely valued.

Spending last week at RRU was a powerful reminder of the strength we draw from being around people who share our vision and push us to keep going. If you’re in a spot where you’re questioning whether you can keep juggling it all, remember to be kind to yourself. Take a breath, remind yourself why it matters, and put one foot in front of the other. Lean on the people who believe in you (even when you don’t). Sometimes that’s all it takes to make real progress—even if you don’t see it right away.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me. Here’s to being kinder to ourselves and lifting each other up as we chase our dreams!

Thank you for being here,

Melissa

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