I quit my run for Mayor recently. The outpouring of support I received was touching and inspiring—far more than I ever expected. But even with that encouragement, the feeling that I had quit something I committed to still scratches at me every day.
Stepping away wasn’t an easy decision. I remain a City Commissioner, and I remind myself that the countless hours I pour into advocacy work are, in and of themselves, a form of public service. But the reality is, my work has become increasingly demanding, and another reason I made the decision to step back from running for higher office. We all have a limited number of hours in the day, and stretching myself too thin would have been a disservice—to my work, my family, and my community.
Not long ago, a friend confided in me, frustrated by the “perfect lives” she saw on social media. She felt like she wasn’t measuring up. I reminded her that social media only shows carefully curated moments—highlights rather than the full story. We filter out the struggles, the doubts, the late nights spent wondering if we’re on the right path.
In many ways, public service is the same. People see the decisions, the headlines, the speeches—but not always the weight of responsibility behind them.
I often ask myself: Why did I choose to serve in public office? The answer is simple—I love this community, and I wanted to make a meaningful difference. I’ve always believed in giving back, in stepping up when there’s work to be done. Running for office felt like a natural extension of that commitment. But what they don’t tell you is how hard it can be.
Being a public servant comes with scrutiny. People will form opinions about you—sometimes before they even meet you. They’ll assume your motives, your values, even your character. And some days, that hurts. I’ve had moments where I wondered, Is it worth it? Should I walk away?
That’s when I remind myself of grit.
Grit is what carries us through when the path is steep and uncertain. It’s what keeps me leaning in when it would be easier to step back. To me, leaning in means facing difficult conversations, listening to perspectives different from my own, and finding ways to build bridges instead of walls.
You can also look at this as a mindset shift. We can often make a situation brighter or make the sting feel a bit less if we simply change the way we are thinking about the situation. But sometimes, stepping back isn’t quitting—it’s resetting.
We don’t often give ourselves permission to pause, reassess, and realign our energy with what matters most. But making space to reflect isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategy for resilience. Public service, like life, requires adaptability. Priorities shift, new opportunities arise, and our capacity evolves.
Stepping away from a campaign doesn’t mean I’m stepping away from service. It means I’m making space to focus on the work that matters most. And as long as I have the ability to make a difference, I’ll keep showing up—one conversation, one decision, and one step forward at a time.
For me, stepping away from the campaign was a chance to refocus on why I do this work in the first place. It’s not about a title; it’s about impact. It’s about ensuring that my contributions remain meaningful and sustainable.
Public service isn’t about perfection. It’s about perseverance. It’s about showing up—even when it’s hard, even when the criticism stings, even when the progress feels slow.
Sound familiar? Of course, it does! We can help reset your mindset. Send us the KVG signal by clicking the link and filling out your contact info. We’ll send you some of Kayla’s sidekick tools to achieve just that-here's a sneak peek!
Comments