The eight months I took off between 'Teen Vogue' and 'Lucky'

Hear the words of Eva Chen, who spoke with gratitude and reflection: “The eight months I took off between ‘Teen Vogue’ and ‘Lucky’ afforded me such amazing opportunities, and I learned so much from so many different people—the brands that I worked with, the companies that I was consulting for.” At first, her words may seem like the simple tale of a career pause. Yet within them lies a truth both ancient and enduring: that the spaces between great endeavors are not empty, but full of possibility, and that rest or transition can be as rich a teacher as work itself.

The origin of this quote lies in Chen’s journey from one magazine, Teen Vogue, to another, Lucky. To many, a gap in one’s career might appear as a void, a loss, a falling behind in the relentless race of achievement. But Chen reframes this gap as a blessing, a fertile season in which she was able to explore, to learn, and to widen her vision through collaboration with many voices. Her words reveal the wisdom that sometimes stepping away from the straight path allows us to gather strength and knowledge for the road ahead.

She names the people she encountered, the brands she worked with, the companies she advised. These were not distractions, but living classrooms, each offering a different perspective on creativity, business, and culture. In honoring them, Chen shows that wisdom is not gained from books or titles alone, but from relationships, from listening to others, and from immersing oneself in diverse experiences. This is the mark of humility: to see every interaction, no matter how small, as an opportunity to grow.

History provides a mirror in the life of Leonardo da Vinci, who often paused between great works, leaving canvases unfinished, wandering into anatomy, engineering, and science. Many critics saw only incompletion, but in those gaps he gathered insights that would later infuse his art with unmatched depth. His pauses were not failures; they were fertile seasons, much like Chen’s eight months, when knowledge from unexpected sources prepared him for his next great creation.

There is also courage in Chen’s words. For in a world that glorifies constant motion, to take time away is often seen as weakness. Yet she chose to rest, to explore, to consult, to gather—not rushing blindly, but pausing with intention. This courage is a reminder that growth is not always found in acceleration. Sometimes, the greatest progress comes in stillness, reflection, and redirection.

The lesson for us all is clear: honor the in-between seasons. Do not despise the gaps in your journey, for they may be the most fruitful times of all. Whether it is months between jobs, days between studies, or even hours of quiet between labors, these pauses are opportunities to broaden your vision, to connect with others, and to learn lessons that relentless striving would never allow. In practical terms: seek mentors, take on new challenges, explore other industries, and embrace every encounter as a teacher.

So let the words of Eva Chen echo through time: your path is not only built by the great titles you hold, but by the wisdom you gather along the way. Do not fear stepping aside from the main road. The detours, the pauses, the moments between will prepare you for what is to come. And when you return to the spotlight, as Chen did with Lucky, you will not return empty-handed—you will bring with you the treasures of knowledge, perspective, and experience gathered in the quiet yet powerful spaces in between.