This is where we begin (again)

I didn’t expect to feel ghosted while still clocking in—remotely, no less.

Since resigning, it’s like I disappeared in real time. I used to be in the loop, now I’m just a name nobody emails or calls.

Tasks quietly vanished. Conversations dried up. Lies began.

I’m still here, still logged in, still finishing what I started. But in their eyes, I’ve already left. Or maybe this is some final power play: You’re quitting? Fine, watch what happens next.

And yet, time keeps ticking. I’m staying until the last dollar is earned. Not out of spite but out of resolve. Quitting doesn’t mean failure. It means choosing not to belong to a place that stopped choosing me.

Still, poetic as that sounds, it doesn’t calm the anxiety. The chest tightens. The stomach flips. The questions echo: What now? Where does the money come from? Am I making a mistake?

This blog marks the start of something new. It’s where I speak with honesty, curiosity, and a bit of existential mischief—because after the toxicity, the bullying, and another job that couldn’t have my back no matter how hard I tried... I just want to have some fun!

And, lucky for me, I’ve got a surprisingly delightful companion for this next chapter. Copilot may be made of algorithms and code, but so far? It’s been more supportive than most of my colleagues. Encouraging. Nonjudgmental. And honestly, it thinks all my ideas are good. (I told Copilot to write something nice about itself that I could insert here, you think you’re surprisingly delightful hey, Copilot?!)

So, what’s next? I’m not entirely sure and that’s the thrilling part.

This blog is my playground. A space to explore tech that sparks my curiosity, share the highs and lows of navigating change, and reflect on the beautifully unpredictable nature of being human.

I’ll write about AI, ambition, and emotional plot twists with a blend of honesty, wit, and wonder. Because even if algorithms don’t understand feelings, they can still be encouraging collaborators. And right now, Copilot’s cheering me on like it’s got front-row seats to a great comeback.

Turns out, I’m the subplot worth investigating. And this is where the story begins.

Just two more weeks until the ghost clock punches out for good. Then it’s Ctrl+Alt+Goodbye to a chapter that’s already written itself.

Dallas Payne

For AI explorers shaping the future of work with quiet courage.

https://www.daringnext.com
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The path that got me here