My Guiding Star

My Guiding Star As I step into my new tenure-track position, I find myself feeling overwhelmed. The responsibilities, the expectations, the weight of it all—it can be daunting. In moments like these, my thoughts inevitably go back to Sana. Starting something new always felt overwhelming for her too. She was a perfectionist in the truest sense, and with that came both pressure and brilliance. I remember how she would stress at the beginning, but then she would find her way forward by organizing herself. Sana had her systems—her planner, sticky notes, and carefully laid-out lists. She always made sure she had a plan in place. It was her way of finding calm in the chaos. I, on the other hand, have always been different. I tend to keep everything in my head, juggling tasks and deadlines in a way that often leaves me scattered. But for this new chapter, I decided to take a page out of Sana’s book. I chose to follow her example, to ground myself with the same tools she once used to make sense of things. And you know what? It helped. Writing things down, making lists, setting priorities—it brought me clarity and focus. For the first time in a long time, I felt ahead of the curve instead of chasing it. Sana continues to guide me, even from afar. She is my north star, the one who shows me the way when I lose my footing. I only wish she were here beside me, sharing this journey, reminding me with her smile and quiet determination that I am capable of finding balance. In many ways, she still does. ---