Eleven years ago, fresh out of JNTU and full of dreams, I stepped into the corporate world through a campus placement at a reputed multinational company. My family was overjoyed — the offer was great, especially for a middle-class household like ours. It was a moment of pride and relief.
But deep inside, I was not the confident young professional people might have imagined. I was shy, introverted, and often crippled by self-doubt. Speaking in meetings felt like climbing a mountain. Even passing by colleagues in the hallway made me uncomfortable, as if a thousand eyes were silently judging me.
🌸 The Early Struggles
My first team had around 20 members. While I was technically capable, my social hesitation was holding me back. I knew this weakness had to be addressed, but rather than forcing myself into awkward interactions, I decided to first focus on my strengths — my technical skills.
I worked hard, built trust with my manager, and slowly people started approaching me for help. Friendships formed naturally, but still within a small circle. The wider office space still felt overwhelming, and I dreaded walking into large gatherings or new groups.
Over the years, my confidence improved little by little. When I moved up to a Senior Developer role, I became more comfortable within my team, but interacting with people beyond my comfort zone was still a challenge. I avoided organization-wide initiatives simply because they demanded more social engagement.
🌿 The Big Change
After five years in the same organization, I realized something important — even though I had grown professionally, my environment was stifling me. Networking pressures and an atmosphere that didn’t align with my personality left me mentally drained. I decided to seek a change.
That’s when I moved to another service-based organization — and everything shifted.
It was like stepping out of a well and seeing the open sky for the first time. I discovered the true market standards for coding, experienced client interactions, and worked in a culture of mutual respect — especially for women professionals. I no longer carried the invisible burden of “fitting in.”
🚀 Growing Without Fear
In this new space, I thrived. My dedication paid off with two promotions. I also embraced intensive technical trainings in new areas, which broadened my expertise and boosted my confidence. I found my voice — not just in my immediate team but in conversations with managers and leadership.
Today, I am in a position where I mentor juniors, offering them guidance not only in technical matters but also in personality development — something I once desperately needed myself.
🎨 Life Beyond Work
Outside of work, I found joy in pursuing creative outlets. I started a YouTube channel documenting my daughter’s art journey. Editing and uploading her videos brought a different kind of fulfillment, and with Lord Sri Ram’s grace, we have grown to 112 subscribers in a very short span of time.
Two years ago, I also experimented with a food blog, foodwisdom.in. While I learned a lot about content creation, SEO, and website management, I realized the content didn’t feel authentic — I was relying on external references rather than my own experiences. So, I gracefully let it go.
✨ Full Circle — Blogging My Own Story
Now, with more life and career experiences, I decided to blog about my personal journeys. This feels authentic, limitless in ideas, and deeply fulfilling. The blog you’re reading right now is my fresh chapter — one where I share stories that come straight from the heart, with the hope that they might inspire, guide, or comfort someone else.
I believe transformation is a continuous process. I am still learning, still growing, and still discovering new versions of myself.
Thank you for reading my journey. If you found something relatable or inspiring, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback helps me grow and keep this space meaningful for others.
