"At a professional conference, a male colleague asked me if I was old enough to drink alcohol. Whether he was earnest or joking... his point was clear: you're not big enough to be a real player here."
"When my husband slipped on my wedding ring, I was flooded with excitement and hope for our shared future, yes, but it also sparked a surprising transformation that was just about me."
"Twelve years later, we had built a whole life: bought a house, made a home, had two children, navigated the grief of my mom's death, weathered the COVID pandemic, built our careers."
"Sometimes, I'd be driving our daughters to school and catch a look at myself in the rearview mirror. 'How did this happen?' I'd think. 'How can I be the adult here when I still feel like a kid?'"
"Now, I'm embracing my own path, symbolized by a new ring on my right hand."
A feeling of adulthood often tied to a wedding ring led to a personal realization. Despite achieving many adult milestones, such as starting a business and raising children, the sense of truly being an adult remained elusive. The narrative details the contrast between outward accomplishments and inner feelings of youth. A change in marital status prompted the author to recognize the need for personal authenticity rather than relying on symbols like a wedding ring. A new ring on the right hand symbolizes the acceptance of one's journey and personal evolution.
Read at Business Insider
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