My month of grieving over selling my education business is over. I’m un-draping my mirrors, declaring email bankruptcy, allowing news back in the room and re-applying moderation standards.
Separating my identity from my work life is tough.
I took a week off from social media and NPR (most of my news). I admit, I missed some interaction with friends. I like having posts liked; it isn’t a personal text or sharing a meal, but it is an indicator someone is thinking about you. I don’t miss the FOMO. If you don’t know about “Fear Of Missing Out”, read this http://www.npr.org/2017/05/02/526514168/why-social-media-isnt-always-very-social. A dear friend checked into a popular restaurant with “Eatin’ burgers and makin’ friands” and I wondered why I wasn’t invited. I’d just had a jam packed first day of my mini temporary retirement, I wasn’t even remotely hungry, I was exhausted and ready for bed, but I still was afraid I was missing out. This is not good for my head.
I have friends who love me; I live a pretty full life. I am healthy and have the opportunity to take some time off from work. I’m not missing out on anything, this is just my path.
We all give advice. I try hard to only give it when asked and I like to think I am consistent. In this one particular instance I wish I took my own advice.
“If you don’t get paid, you don’t have a job.”
I’ve told that to dozens of people who aren’t sure if they should stay with a job in the hopes things turn around. I thought things would turn around. Updating my website and offering online content slowed the descent, but I never got back those paychecks I missed.
The point isn’t about my work-life, but advice. If it is good enough for your friends, heed it yourself.
Sunday and I’m miserable; single, about to be unemployed.
Monday and I’m OK; still single, about to be unemployed.
Nothing in the larger world has changed. I got a little exercise, I helped someone learn something, I cleaned up my kitchen and did a little laundry. Nothing changed, but suddenly I could be with myself.
After a fine day I received a little information that made everything right in the world. I was still still single, about to be unemployed, but an unexpected encounter made me awfully happy.
It doesn’t take much: an invitation to an informal interview, a check-in from a stranger in China, a command to appear for a fitness test. Hope is the fuel for imagination. I could teach people how to teach employees to fry chicken, help automate mapping software for utilities, teach conversational English, or become a deputy sheriff.
We can spread hope around with an encouraging word or a smile. I’m not sure it is changing the world, but a little hope changes my thoughts and outlook, which is my world.
I listened to a story about the expansion of UGA’s football stadium. Two years and $185m. I could use a little of that. I like to think I could make better use of those funds.
Is this what ‘red staters” think when they hear $185m for the National Endowment for the Arts?
I received a LinkedIn confirmation from a celebrity. I noticed this happened around 2am. He is based in NYC, the same time zone as me. I was asleep at 2am. I generally am asleep at 10. Maybe this marketing guru’s admonishment to work a little harder/longer is the thing to do. He (or his social media staff) is doing it.
Three people last week let me know the reason my job search is tough is because “black women” are “given” all the good jobs.
I have heard this so often I have an auto-response. “I’m sorry you feel that way. That has not been my experience. I’ll let you know if I find evidence that this is how the world works.”
Calling out family members or acquaintances for their racist bullshit doesn’t change their minds, help me start a new adventure, or make the world a better place.
It is a little weird being an Uber driver. I thought I’d try it. So far I’ve made about $20/hour, and I am not that good. The interface is new to me and the pick-up always take too long.
The most amazing thing about driving for Uber is how it make me think about my time. Now, when there is something I don’t want to do, I have something mildly distasteful I can do and earn a little (very little) money. After two hours of Uber driving, my priorities have been pretty much sorted out.
What an amazing world. A personal finance author I read has turned his talent into a much larger company. Good for him, great for him. At 9pm I sat through an hour long presentation for a “course” which will net me my dream job, at the best possible wage. If it would work, it would be a bargain at twice the price. UGG, I can’t believe the first bit, defining what you want to do, would work.