Stepping Into the Unknown

I want to share a personal story—one about stepping into uncertainty, facing fear, and finding clarity along the way. If you’re in a place of doubt right now, wondering what’s next after a major change, I hope this resonates with you.

In February 2024, I took a Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP) for a year, though I briefly returned for a two-month assignment in between. My intention was clear: I needed to step away and figure out what life could look like beyond the system I had been part of for years—a system that, as many of us know, can be emotionally, psychologically, and physically draining. After spending five years in Yemen, I needed a break, and that break turned out to be transformative.

At first, it felt like hitting the brakes after speeding at 100 miles an hour—the sudden stop nearly crashed me, metaphorically speaking. I felt lost, without a sense of purpose, struggling to adjust to days without emails, Teams messages, or urgent crises to solve. Change is always hard at first, but for me, it was excruciating.

For months, I tried to fill my time with something new, but nothing seemed to give me that sense of direction I was searching for. I kept feeling disconnected, as if I were floating between two versions of myself—the one I had been and the one I had yet to become. Eventually, I visited my family, which helped tremendously and when I returned, something clicked.

I realized I had been forcing myself to “cope” with uncertainty, but what I really needed was to create something new out of it. Instead of resisting change, I started asking myself:
• What do I truly want to do?
• What excites me?
• How can I build something meaningful?

I’m still figuring it out, but the path is becoming clearer each day. I took a step forward, embracing the uncertainty instead of resisting it. Now, I write daily on my Facebook page, sharing thoughts and reflections, I support small local NGOs in strengthening their capacities, and I am building my coaching business—driven by a deep desire to help others break through fears and limiting beliefs, just as I’ve had to do myself.

If you’re in a moment of uncertainty, I want to remind you: you are not alone. The unknown is uncomfortable, but it also holds possibility. Talk to the people around you. Share your thoughts, your worries, your dreams—even if they feel messy. Let others walk beside you as you figure things out.

And most importantly, take one small step forward. The path reveals itself as you walk it. 🚶‍♀️✨