Learning to Stand on My Own.
Austin wasn’t just a city I moved to for an internship. It became the backdrop to one of the most life-changing chapters of my life. When I arrived, I carried with me both excitement and uncertainty. I didn’t know exactly what this season would look like, only that it would demand something new from me. What I didn’t realize then was how much I would be challenged to build a life entirely on my own. I had to find stability in my routines, create meaning in my work, and lean on myself when the noise faded. Austin became the place where I learned to rely less on what I had left behind and more on the strength I was uncovering within myself.
By day, I dove into my role at Contentstack, tackling technical projects and building tools that pushed me to think differently. I discovered how much I love solving problems and seeing an idea come to life. But the real lesson wasn’t just about work. It was about showing up for myself. I had to create my own structure, set my own pace, and hold myself accountable in ways I never had to before.
Austin is alive with contrasts: busy streets and quiet corners, innovation and artistry, fast growth and slow mornings. It carries the energy of a big city yet often feels like a small town, where community and connection matter as much as ambition. That duality mirrored what I was learning internally: how to balance the drive to keep pushing forward with the grace to slow down and enjoy where I was. It was the first time I truly realized that independence isn’t just doing everything alone. It is knowing how to steady yourself when everything around you is moving.
Austin taught me how to build stability in the middle of change. I learned the importance of creating routines that ground me, of pursuing passions that give me energy, and of seeking out community even in unfamiliar places. The lesson I carry most is that independence grows not from doing everything alone, but from trusting yourself to stand steady in any environment.
