3 Months at SW: What. A. Ride!

Yes, what a ride. No, I am not leaving (I hope not?). But joining the company amidst everything going on in my life felt like taking a leap of faith.

Landing this job was what I would call a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, one that gave me the chance to start something new in a moment when things were far from easy.

I remember telling my mother countless times how much I wanted to switch jobs, wanting to do something that felt a little more me.

And for every single time that I brought it up, she was never once opposed to it.

If you told the 2024 Adleena that she’d be working in the Public Relations industry a year later, I would have never believed you.

And if you told me I’d have to lose my dear mother first in order for everything to fall into place… I would most definitely smack your head.

While the circumstances surrounding this new chapter were incredibly tough, the job I thought would help me take care of my mother eventually ended up being the thing that helped carry me through my grief.

Coming from a “team of none,” where each day was just about delivering tasks, and carrying everything on my own to joining a team made up of people who genuinely care feels a lot more grounding.

The first week on the job, I was mostly figuring things out on my own and sometimes wondered if I was doing enough.

But upon realising that I was part of a team, things shifted and simple little check-ins by the team made me realise I wasn’t alone anymore.

No matter how small or simple a question may be, they have never made me feel silly.

No question is a stupid question.

As the days slowly unfold, work stops being just another mundane task on my to-do list. It starts becoming a collaborative project that provides a safe space where it is okay to stumble and I get to learn new things every time.

As a matter of fact, I have learned more in these few months than I could have imagined and not just about PR or communications.

I learned about how much difference empathy and kindness make especially on the days when life gets the best of me.

Grieving is a difficult journey. It’s never linear, never predictable.

Some days the waves hit harder than others.

But with the people around me, both at home and at work, the journey has been a little easier to navigate.

The past three months have been a testament to the fact that when you find the right environment, work can be a source of strength and positivity.

And for that, I will forever be grateful to have been given the chance to be part of the SW Team!