While working on my physical therapy school application over the last few weeks, I’ve reflected on my life, what I’ve been doing, and why I’ve been doing it.

It’s been a lot to revisit twenty-plus years of work, volunteerism, extracurricular activities, and school.

Usually, when I think about my winding career path, I feel like other people have figured things out quicker than I have and that I’m behind. Some people decide on a career, and then go do it, but my life has never been that linear.

As I wrote the essay for my application, I decided to use an abbreviated version of my path, leaving a few things out to make it simpler and easier to follow.

But after writing six different versions of the main essay—highlighting different parts of my path in each one—no version seemed right.

I couldn’t see myself clearly enough to finish the essay. I needed someone else’s perspective.

So, I hired a physical therapist who’s also a journalist to edit my essay. Because she didn’t know me, she found the shortened version of my path confusing. Instead of being easy to follow, it led to more questions. I decided to tell the whole story of how I landed here, applying to PT school as a mom in my forties.

Writing the truth about my non-traditional path and what it taught me helped me to see my background as a strength instead of a liability. It also helped me to better understand myself and why I am pursuing graduate school at this point in my life.

I found it freeing to claim the different parts of who I am instead of trying to make myself look like someone I’m not. It’s tempting to try to make ourselves appear how we think other people want us to be, but it’s exhausting.

Writing about where I’ve been and what I’ve done helped me to start feeling proud instead of embarrassed about where my life has taken me. When I omitted parts of my story, I was hiding part of myself instead of realizing that my varied path has prepared me to become a PT.

I majored in journalism and Spanish in college, and I’ve worked as a newspaper reporter, a YMCA health and wellness director, a small business owner, a movement and mindset coach, a gardener and more. I’m a mom to my son and a partner to my husband.

Each part of my background has shaped who I am. No single piece defines me, but each is part of me.

The same is true for each of us. Every stop on your path has changed you and contributed to the person you are. I hope that we stop trying to hide these parts and embrace them.

Joanna Zaremba is a writer, yoga teacher, and movement and mindset coach. She helps her clients to trust themselves and their bodies. Joanna has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 2011 and can be reached at joannazaremba@gmail.com.