What I Learned About Myself in the Last Hour of the Workday
A performance review, a shaky voice, and the radical act of being honest anyway.
Hey y’all,
Performance review season stresses me out!!!! It doesn’t matter what kind of year I’ve had; the fact remains my nervous system doesn’t know the difference between a 45-minute conversation with my boss and a bear eating me.
My performance review was scheduled for the last hour of the workday.
Because why not?
And all day, I was on.
I was firing on all cylinders—answering emails, completing reports, moving projects forward, solving problems left and right. Fully in it. Showing up.
But still… the review was quietly lurking in the background.
Not loudly. Just a steady hum under the surface. A low buzz of what ifs and how will this go?
Because I work from home, there was no one to interrupt my quiet thoughts. No watercooler chats or requests for lunch and coffee. Just me, my pups, and a slightly aggressive amount of coffee.
Before I knew it, it was game time. And to my surprise?
It was…. good. No, it was more than good.
It was… real. Affirming. Human.
But most importantly: it was honest.
I took notes as I listened intently. I focused on my breathes and my jaw where I tend to hold tension. I let go of defensiveness albeit, not entirely willingly.
And when it was my turn to speak….
I shocked myself.
Even though my voice shook, I used it.
I said what I usually second-guess.
I asked for support without wrapping it in12876393 disclaimers.
And despite what fear had prepared me for:
The world didn’t swallow me whole.
The meeting didn’t turn awkward.
Life continued. But somehow, better.
My supervisor listened. He really listened.
We talked. We aligned. We built something in that conversation.
And I left feeling something I haven’t always felt after a performance review: excitement, confidence, dare I say…hopefulness?
Where I Found Myself in the Feedback
💻 I’m doing meaningful work—and I named it.
🫶 I showed up fully, even while managing a real, full day of work.
🧠 I accepted feedback with curiosity, not defense.
🗣️ I advocated for myself—and I was heard.
✨ I’m proud. Not because I was perfect, but because I was honest.
After review session, I let out a breath I didn’t know I held as I made end of day notes and prepped for tomorrow.
I wrapped up in silence, feeling a little tired.
I closed my laptop, sat still for a moment, and exhaled.
Not because anything went wrong.
But because speaking up—being seen, being real—takes energy. It always does.
And this time?
It was worth every intrusive thought, every moment of doubt.
So tonight, I congratulate myself…
I am immensely proud of the woman who walked in her purpose, who spoke her truth even when her voice trembled.
She did good.
If your review is coming up: I hope you make space to ask for what you need—even if your voice shakes.
And if you’ve already had yours: What are you walking away with?
Congrats on finding your voice during the review. Sounds like you made a lot of good points and were persuasive. Your boss sounds like a good dude too. Having a manager that listens is a huge win. But you have to give them something to listen to! Which you certainly did.