Essays on identity, change, and belonging
Twelve personal essays about work, family, relationship with, fear, belonging, and the questions that can feel different in midlife.
“Some memories come from major turning points. Others are ordinary.”
After more than twenty-five years in technology, I stepped away from a career that had shaped much of my adult life. At the same time, I was approaching an empty nest and entering the second half of life. These changes led me to question some of my assumptions about work, parenting, identity, and what came next. Who am I outside the roles that have defined me? What matters now? What do I want the next part of my life to look like?
I didn’t find neat answers, but writing helped me notice patterns in my life that I hadn’t seen before. I decided to publish these essays in case others were asking some of the same questions.
The One-Word Answer
When a familiar question becomes harder to answer after leaving a long career.
Getting By
Something I didn't realize mattered until it was missing.
The Third Attempt
Two unfinished climbs and the decision to return to the mountain.
A Blog for No One
An experiment in making a change without knowing where it might lead.
Mind Over Miles
A long run and the thoughts that fill the miles.
A Change in Season
Changes in work, family, and life that arrive at different times.
Finding Purpose
A search for direction takes an unexpected turn.
The Knot in My Stomach
A familiar feeling that shows up in very different situations.
By the Numbers
From school ranks to fitness watches, a lifetime of keeping score.
A Beautiful Oops
Looking back at things that didn't go quite as planned.
Messiness in the Middle
Life after leaving a familiar routine, without a clear next step.
The Things We Remember
A handful of ordinary memories that have stayed with me for years.
Kundana spent twenty-six years working in technology before stepping away to consider what she wanted from her next chapter. She grew up in India and now lives near Seattle with her family. Her essays draw from work, parenting, change, running, mountains, and the ordinary experiences that continue to shape how we see ourselves. She now works as a health and well-being coach.
Ready to read?
The Things We Remember is available in paperback and Kindle.
