Sometimes we are in the shadow and not in the light. What are the consequences? What do we do?

A short holiday in Holland brings back memories wrapped in perspective. I was exactly in this same place three and a half years ago, in summer. Almost everything was the same, but the atmosphere was different. The sun now is much lower and the shadows very long. The pictures I take tend to be monochromatic, with a dramatic high.

Right now, as I'm getting comfortable in a good period of my life, I remember the times I worked in places where I was in the shade. I'm not getting into the unspoken shadow theory right now and it doesn't matter what the reasons were. I just remember that the first place I fled after a short time - I was already experienced and I knew that if a job felt wrong after a few months, it would stay like that or get worse. I had no limits or commitments, I was a driven, optimistic and free woman.

At the second place I stayed for a few years. In the first year I enjoyed every moment, I traveled the world at a frantic pace, just as I loved. After a year when it was time to get promoted, I found that the shade was hiding there from day one. Instead of leaving I decided to start doing what seemed right to me, even if it didn't fit with my direct managers' plans. I invested a lot of energy into the organization I worked for, I understood the strategy, I saw the big picture and I made sure that what I did would bring a lot of value to the organization. There I also learned that I know how to fight organizational battles and even win. Of course, after a period I left. Would I have stayed there in perspective that I have today? Not sure. I was a good intrapreneur, I invested a lot of energy, I created value and enjoyed it, but I think that if I had diverted this energy elsewhere, I would have created a more impact.

At the third (and last) place I stayed for a long time. I saw the shade right away, but I decided to continue for two reasons. The first - most of the time the shade was only partial because my private company continued to succeed. The second reason was a personal package that I'll keep to myself. Just saying it took time to get used to the light again when this period ended.

Familiar? Have you ever been in the shade? Are you sitting there now? It's worth checking out what's going on and maybe it's worth leaving. You may not be able to go now, but you can maintain you self-esteem while building your exit plan to the light.

Have you left there recently? Get ready for a period of building, including a self-perception that may be wrong and low. So it seems that you have lost years during this period of time, "doing nothing"? That's not true. You think that you are worthless and that no one will want to employ you or work with you with your current knowledge? Wrong! Remember that at any step in your life you do learn things and you do make progress.

What can you do?

Reach out to friends, colleagues and contact and ask for help. Yes, this is one of the skills worth honing over the years.

Look for professionals who can help you face the emotional side.

Start building your professional and/or learning dimension. Even if the process is slow, trust me, one more year here or there won't really make a difference.

I still remember the professor who said this to me when I was a young student. I didn't really believe her at the time but I still remember what she said to this day and I know she was very right.

And the photo? A note to self - how big a shadow can a small seagull make when the sun is low.