Positive Moments

In my last post, I promised things would be more positive this time, and yes, that's actually quite easy for me. I'd like to apologize again to everyone for needing to vent my frustrations the other day.

There are so many positive experiences that give me strength. I'll just start with myself. When I look at photos of myself from the past few years and see the development I've undergone, it's simply a beautiful moment that gives me strength, no matter what others write.

But there are also many other moments that do me good. When my boss comments on my last two posts, gives me positive feedback, and expresses his dismay at the hate comments. The colleague who always compliments my outfits. The vendor at the weekly market who regularly admires my nails. The many people from all sorts of backgrounds at the Kleinmarkthalle (small market hall) whom I encountered again on Friday while shopping, greeting me warmly from afar, even when I'm not there to buy anything.

The incredibly relaxed way so many people interact with me. This week we went to a raclette evening hosted by our wonderful cheesemonger in Neu-Isenburg. We sat at a table for four with a couple, and we spent a truly lovely evening with lively conversation – completely natural and informal.

Also this week, there was an event on our conference floor. A gentleman from the external protocol team waved me over and asked me to join them for a test photo. Completely natural, totally professional, and pleasant.

There are people who contact me because they see themselves reflected in my blog or my other social media posts, or because they feel encouraged to follow their own path. I've written about the loneliness of being in a crowd. I no longer feel that way, but if I can give even just a few people the feeling of not being alone, then it was absolutely worth all the hate comments. That's precisely why I will continue to post publicly on all possible channels. I won't hide anymore, not from myself and not from others who might just stumble across this and be happy about it. Everyone else is welcome to keep scrolling, clicking, and swiping—just like I have to do with posts that don't interest me or annoy me.

I'm doing well, I feel good, and I'm happy that I can now be who I am.

Yours truly, Nicole