Side Quest: Lessons

What happens when you do everything “right” and nothing moves?In this solo episode, I unpack five uncomfortable lessons from a year in Melbourne; where I tried harder than ever, pulled every lever, and still watched the scoreboard stay at zero. We’re talking about dismantling the effort-equals-reward myth, untying my identity from external pings, confronting burnout, and facing the question: if no one’s clapping, do I still back myself?P.S. This is not a breakthrough montage. It’s the slow, ego-bruising middle. And respectfully? I never want to do a year like this again.