I got rejected from my dream job.

LOL...

No, but I really did. It sucked. Let me tell y’all about my most recent heartbreak.

It all started when one of my favorite brands posted that they were searching for a brand assistant. I came across the post on Instagram and was immediately inspired to apply. I’ve applied for a plethora of what I consider my “dream” internships (to no avail…), but this one just felt different. It felt right.

I submitted my killer application and emailed the founder after I saw her post about it on LinkedIn. I got chosen to move on to stage two of the process: the project. I was tasked with creating a mood board for the brand. I made three.

The founder said she loved my ideas, and I moved on to the final stage: the interview. I prepped for days, overanalyzing my talking points, planning my outfit, and dreaming about how the meeting would go. Finally, the day came, and I made my way down to the Downtown Los Angeles office. I met with the founder and her adorable puppy in her gorgeous office. We had an amazing hour-long conversation.

I truly felt like I crushed it.

Okay… this is where I think I got a little delusional.

Everything just felt so right and serendipitous. I imagined myself in this position, creating magic with this brand. I started dreaming about my commute, the outfits I would wear, the projects I’d work on, the events I would bring to life. I even romanticized the mundane tasks like inventory, moving offices, shipping and returns. Anything to be in that role with that company just felt perfect.

I was confident. I had faith in myself, my skills, and the way I presented myself.

And then I got the email that broke my heart:

“At this time, I’ve decided to move forward with another candidate.”

HEART DROPPED.

CRUSHED.

DESTROYED.

OBLITERATED.

It took me a minute to figure out what good I could take from this moment. I’m usually really good at pulling lessons from everything — even the bad — but this one hit different.

But, per usual, I figured it out.

Instead of helping build up my favorite fashion brand, I’m going to put all that hard work into building my personal brand. I’m going to pour my heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into myself. Every move I make from here on out will be intentional and designed to build me up.

The next time I go up for a position like this, there will be no ifs, ands, or buts.

This blog is a product of the hard, intentional, passionate work I plan on putting out into the world.

I’m a big believer in the saying, “everything happens for a reason.” I know what’s meant for me will find its way to me. I’m going to keep putting in the work so that when that thing finds me, I’ll be ready for it.

I’m going to keep betting on myself because I believe in myself, and I know what I’m capable of.

So next time you get rejected, or your heart gets broken, or you’re just having a shitty day, remember: everything happens for a reason. What’s meant for you will come to you.

And you’ve got this.

Kindly,

Kat