How far I’ve come

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about adulthood, and some of that reflection has come while driving rideshare. Mini therapy sessions for people and myself. You meet a lot of people in a short amount of time, and sometimes the smallest conversations stick with you. Simple questions of what did you do before driving? Are you planning on doing anything else? Idle chatter to deep contemplation.

Almost pretentious in the self indulgent introspection.

I had a pair of kids in my car. I should say kids feels like the wrong word, because they were both in their twenties. One of them mentioned working for a tow company. That comment stuck with me, because in all my years, I’ve only had my car towed once. It happened back in my early twenties when I had first moved out on my own. It was an awful experience, as anyone who’s been there knows, but it was an adult learning moment.

Now I’m 37, and that memory made me think about the massive gap between who I was then and who I am now. All the life lessons I’ve accumulated on the way to becoming me. The good, the bad, and the ugly (cue the western shootout music).

Between my first apartment and where I’m sitting today, I’ve lived a lot of different lives. A son, a roommate, and a husband. I’ve worked fast food slinging donuts. I’ve worked retail box stores on the sales floor and in the warehouses. I’ve bounced between quick-service restaurants serving pizza and wings and higher-end ones with higher stakes (and steaks). I’ve worked at a bank. I’ve done freelance work hosting events and trivia. Now I drive rideshare and run delivery apps. Most importantly I’m a stay at home parent. I’ve interacted with people from just about every walk of life you can imagine. From the line cooks who live 6 to house and fleece you for drug money, to helping millionaires set up loans for their third houses.

Because of that, I feel… well-rounded. Developed. I’ve learned empathy in ways you can’t get from theory alone. I understand frustration differently. I understand struggle differently. I understand work differently. And most importantly, I feel I understand people differently.

I’m incredibly thankful for that.

When I look back, it feels like I’ve lived several different lives already, and I still have so much time left to live more. There are still new things to try, new skills to learn, new perspectives to gain. That thought doesn’t overwhelm me anymore. It excites me.

Starting next week, I’m going back to school. I know I’ve already written about how excited I am, but it’s worth saying again. It’s another chapter. Another chance to grow. Another thing to add to the list of experiences that shape who I am.

I love that I’m able to feel positive about my life right now. Not because it’s perfect, but because I’m engaged with it. I’m participating. I’m showing up and letting myself experience things fully.

I know part of the reason I’m writing this is because I want to talk about my life as I continue working on my book. But the reality is, until I continue to sort myself out, my ability to write will always feel stifled. Growth has to come first. Honesty has to come first.

All I know for sure is this: 2026 is going to be a good year.

Not because it magically will be—but because I’m going to make it one.
One day at a time.
K