I used to think the worst part of my job would be another “emergency meeting” about a funding shortfall or an email starting with “Per our last conversation…” But I was wrong…completely wrong. The real crisis came when my boss resigned.
She worked from another continent. My emotional anchor was tied to a screen, across oceans, time zones, and an unreliable Wi-Fi connection. Yet, somehow, she was the glue that held my fragile work life together.
I still remember when she broke the news, her calm face frozen on the screen…probably due to my unstable internet connection. I blinked at the screen, hoping it was just a technical glitch. But no, the signal was fine. It was me who was emotionally buffering. Panic set in.
Her words hit me hard: she was leaving. My brain struggled to process. I managed to ask, “But… why?” As in, how could she leave me to navigate this wilderness of projects alone? But I kept that selfish thought to myself and stuck with a simple “why.”
The worst part? She was leaving in just a few days. Not enough time to properly say goodbye. I remember trying to put on a brave face during her final video call, hoping my internal chaos didn’t show. It was hard.
Now, I am processing her departure the only way I know how: with too many snacks, unnecessary shopping and an overwhelming number of open tabs on my computer. Will I be okay? Probably. However, snacks and therapy would be greatly appreciated.
