Hole 2: Brookline Breakthroughs

Tiffanie
May 1
4 min read

“Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character.” - Arnold Palmer

Since “The Back Nine” is all about celebrating life’s hole-in-ones—those big moments—and the small victories that quietly keep us moving forward, I’m kicking things off with some big news: I got a new job!

Back in February, I unexpectedly found myself in the job market again. If you caught last month’s post, you’ll know this isn’t unfamiliar territory for me. In fact, what I experienced a few years ago helped prepare me for this round, especially mentally. That chapter, paired with more professional growth and the support of an incredible network, led me to land a new role in just a couple of months. That’s a big win.

Here’s the twist, though: when I lost my job, the initial emotions that followed weren’t what you might expect. The very next day, and even in the days after, I felt this huge weight lift off my shoulders. I didn’t feel panic—I felt peace. Odd, I know. Especially when there is so much uncertainty floating around right now.

To be honest, 2024 was probably the hardest year I’ve had mentally. And if you know me, you know I’m not someone who outwardly expresses emotion. I’m more reserved—definitely not a “heart-on-your-sleeve” type. Well, not always. We’ll get to that in a later blog post. In fact, my best friend and I always joke that I’m Branch from “Trolls” (you know, the one who dreads “Hug Time”) while she’s 100% Poppy. It’s accurate. I don’t hate hugs, I’m just not the “all-encompassing, tears-streaming, cup-overflowing” hugger. That’s never been me. Sometimes it comes off as standoffish, especially to new people that I meet, but to know me is to love me. Not always, but mostly.

Growing up, emotions weren’t something we openly discussed in my family either. But there was always love—strong, steady, and dependable. My parents will always show up quietly and support in all the ways that matter. We even have a weekly Sunday facetime tradition, which we started when I lived across the country from them in Boston. We’ve just always expressed care more subtly. And while every family is different, I know this kind of emotional reserve is common in a lot of Asian households. (If your family was different, I’d love to hear your experience!). I always joke that our hugs are like the Wedding Crashers a** out hugs, or we do that over the shoulder pat to show approval or agreeance.

Layer that upbringing with the fact that my generation hasn’t always had open conversations about mental health. Words like anxiety, depression, burnout—they weren’t talked about when I was growing up. But that didn’t mean we weren’t feeling them. Even writing about it in this post makes me a little nervous and anxious, but it’s also a little therapeutic.

The second half of 2024 was rough. I wasn’t sleeping well. I was constantly on edge. I felt this cloud hanging over me that I couldn’t shake. I took a self-assessment through my healthcare provider, and the results showed severe anxiety and mild depression, which didn't surprise me, but it became more real when I saw it in writing. I even considered talking to a therapist but couldn’t quite get myself there. Thankfully, I had close friends who unknowingly stepped into that role—just listening, checking in, holding space. That’s what I mean when I say, “find your people.” The ones who know exactly when to call, when to let you vent, when to crack a dumb joke just to make you laugh or send a small gift that somehow arrives at just the right time. They don’t need explanations. They just get it. They get you.

And when the weight felt especially heavy? I turned to golf.

Golf has been my therapy. Those 4-5 hours on the course or time on the range helped me tune out the noise and reset. Setting small goals—like tightening up my short game, lowering my round score, or reducing those dreaded three-putts—gave me something positive to work toward. They were small, but they mattered.

By the time the holidays rolled around, I knew something had to shift. I made the choice to focus on what I could control: my outlook, my conversations, my presence with family and friends, exploring my city, and, of course, more golf time. I will say that all of this is a constant state of work in progress, and it’s something I try to keep top of mind every day. Starting this blog has been a major part of that shift. Putting energy into something creative, thoughtful, and personal has been a win.

Recently, I even went on a trip to Palm Springs with my parents, and for the first time in a while, I wasn’t tethered to a work phone. Just fully present. I took them to their first tennis tournament, the BNP Paribas in Indian Wells; one that had been on my bucket list for a while! We enjoyed some great meals, shopping, and even snuck in some time for my dad to watch his beloved Warriors. That man can’t miss a game lol. He probably has a better attendance record than Steve Kerr. That alone felt like a major victory.

That brings me back to the core of “The Back Nine”—why I started this blog in the first place. The big wins, like landing a new job, or breaking a previous record in golf, deserve to be celebrated. But so do the smaller, quieter ones like being intentional about my time. The ones that show progress. The ones that remind us we’re healing. The ones that help us breathe a little easier, laugh a little louder, and remember who we are.

Because in life, just like in golf, it’s not just about the final score. It’s about the strokes in between. The small wins build the momentum. They remind us how far we’ve come and what we’re capable of. And if we pay attention, they teach us how to truly live the game and play the life.

Thanks for reading! And if you feel open to sharing your thoughts or if you have any big or small wins that you’re proud of, leave a comment below!

See you on the next hole!