I walked into my office, the familiar space offering a sense of calm in the middle of the emotional storm growing within me.

With a practiced efficiency born of years of routine, I settled into my chair, and the comforting hum of the office was a welcome distraction. I meticulously checked my emails, responding to messages with a focus that was not only needed, but also was part of who I was.

Each completed task, each checked box, offered a small sense of control in a ...