I hesitated to share this story. Part of me worried it might sound too self-congratulatory (there’s that old self-doubt, rearing its head again!) – but after everything I’ve been through in recent years, this moment really meant something. I want to capture it, preserve it, and bask in the warmth of it just a little bit longer – by writing about it.
As my 14-year career at Salesforce came to a close, I didn’t expect much fanfare. But what happened reminded me how powerful it is to feel truly seen – not just for what you do, but for who you are.
Sometimes the most meaningful moments show up when you least expect them – not with grand declarations, but in quiet gestures and thoughtful details that really stay with you.
The Gift of Timing and Thoughtfulness
Just two days before my final day, I had the privilege of attending a celebration for the Women of Impact award winners across Asia Pacific.
The timing felt serendipitous – because usually, once you’re told your role is being made redundant, you’re placed on “gardening leave.” You’re no longer required to work, but still employed behind the scenes.
As someone in a global role – and the only member of my immediate team based in Asia Pacific – I wasn’t expecting any kind of send-off. These things often happen quietly now, especially with restructures becoming more common.
But one colleague noticed. She realised I was still around, still coming into the office to deliver Mental Health First Aid training, and still catching up with friends.
She reached out to ask:
If we put something together, would you come in?
Of course, I said yes!
A Meaningful Goodbye
That conversation set off a chain of kindness. She partnered with a dear friend of mine, and together they carved out time during the event agenda to create a beautiful moment just for me – a heartfelt farewell that meant so much.
There was a bouquet of flowers. A Kudo board filled with kind words. A surprise video tribute with messages from colleagues past and present. A small group from my old Customer Success team came to surprise me. And my USA-based manager dialled in live at 1:30am her time, just to be there – for me.
When the video played, I could feel the tears coming. It was deeply moving to hear people speak not just about the work I’d done, but about the impact I’d made – the energy, care, and values I brought to the workplace.
Reflections From the End of a Chapter
As part of the Women of Impact event, all four of us winners from Asia Pacific (three in India, and me in Australia) were asked three reflection questions. They were thoughtful, a little emotional, and a perfect way to honour the journey.
Q1: If your career were a Netflix series, what would it be called – and what genre would it be?
I said: “Beyond Imagination” – a feel-good drama.
Why? Because that’s what it’s been.
At the age of 16, I left school with no clear plan. I got my first job with no idea where it would lead. And yet… my career took me around the world, I learned from incredible people, worked across cultures, led meaningful projects, and transformed in ways I never expected.
Work has never been “just a job” for me. It’s been a core part of my growth – professionally and personally.
So yes, I’m excited about what’s next. But it’s also felt a bit like leaving home for the first time – a mix of freedom, sadness, excitement, and curiosity.
Q2: Of all the initiatives you worked on, which are you most proud of?
That was a hard question. I’ve worked on so many things that I care about – but the standout is co-founding the Mental Health Matters community.
What began as a small group of us wanting to connect honestly about our mental health has grown into a global network of over 3,000 employees. We ran it with no budget, no official title, just heart.
It became a safe space. A space for conversations that needed to happen. A space that gave people language and permission to talk about what they were going through.
That community was partly what inspired me to become a Mental Health First Aid instructor. And we held events, shared resources, and helped create a culture of realness and care.
Best of all? It will continue after I’m gone. That legacy is important to me.
Q3: What advice would you give to someone who wants to create positive change in their workplace?
I gave this a lot of thought. Because it’s easy to talk about change – but making it happen takes intention. What I’ve found helpful over the years comes down to four key things – what I call the Four Ps:
1. Passion
Start with something that truly matters to you.
Something you are really, really passionate about.
With passion, people don’t just see it – they feel it.
It can resonate with people. It can ignite something in them.
It gives you energy. It makes others pay attention.
And it sustains you when the work gets hard.
If you’re not deeply connected to it, it won’t last.
2. Planning
Passion alone isn’t enough.
If you don’t plan for it, it gets squeezed out by the day-to-day. Time disappears. Energy gets pulled in other directions.
So get specific. Know what you want to achieve. Map it out. Break it into steps. And then – put it in your calendar.
I planned far ahead and colour-coded everything – not because I love admin, but because planning gave my passion structure. It’s how I made space for the things that mattered.
3. Patience
Not everyone will be ready to jump in with you.
Some people won’t understand what you’re doing. Others will be supportive in spirit but not have the capacity to help. And some might need time to feel safe enough to engage.
That’s ok. You don’t have to push.
Be patient. Be understanding. Meet people where they are, not where you wish they were.
You’re planting seeds – some of them take time to grow.
4. Persistence
And having said all that – don’t give up.
Keep going. Keep showing up. Keep the conversation alive, even when it feels like no one’s listening.
Especially in the space of mental health, even the smallest conversation can count.
Sometimes, one quiet moment – one check-in, one honest question – can be a life-changing moment for someone.
You might not see the impact right away. But it’s there.
So stay with it. Keep building, step by step.
Because this kind of change doesn’t always come in big waves – sometimes, it arrives in ripples.
Leaving a Long-Term Job – and Feeling Full, Not Empty
This farewell wasn’t something I ever expected. It was heartfelt, thoughtful, and real – and it meant the world to me.
After 14 years, it gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a sense of closure, and a reminder that how we leave matters.
I may be leaving the building, but I’m not leaving the relationships. I’ll stay connected. I’ll visit. I’ll support the mission from a different angle.
And most importantly – I’m walking into my next chapter with a full heart and a clear direction. It’s time to deepen my work in mental health, both in and outside the workplace.
Final Thoughts
I’ll always be grateful to those who made this moment possible. In a time of uncertainty and change, their kindness gave me more than a farewell – it gave me closure. It reminded me that being appreciated isn’t about ego – it’s about being seen. And it helped restore some of the confidence that had quietly chipped away over the years.
If you’re going through a change – whether it’s leaving a job, stepping into something unknown, or closing a chapter of any kind – and if things didn’t end the way you expected, maybe ask yourself:
What can I make with this?
Here’s what I’ve made of this experience – and maybe it will offer something for you, too:
- Recognition matters. You might not realise how much until it happens – but feeling seen, especially at the end of a chapter, can leave a lasting imprint.
- Closure is helpful. In my case, it came with thoughtfulness and care – and I know how much that helped me move forward with a full heart.
- Legacy is about impact, not titles. The things that last are usually the ones you built with heart – the connections, the care, the culture.
- Leaving doesn’t have to feel empty. It can feel full, even bittersweet – especially when you know you gave it your all.
- It’s ok to celebrate yourself. Even if self-doubt whispers otherwise, taking a moment to honour the journey is part of healing and growth.
We don’t always get to choose the ending.
But we can choose what we take from it – and how we begin again.
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