Hey guys! Sorry for the delay in blog posts…I have a couple of pieces in the works…this week has been difficult for me because I have been dealing with some health issues. BUT I wanted to get on here to get connected with the blog, even if it’s just to say hello!

I know we are all dealing with the myriad of issues that are going on in the world (& in the states), but I want you guys to know that you are not alone. I literally just wrote in a text, “I AM SO TIRED OF HAVING TO THINK ABOUT POLITICS EVERY SINGLE DAY.” I used to think back to childhood, as the time of simplicity of not having so many worries & responsibilities, but now, pretty much anytime before 2016 seems more simple to me. I used to be a glass half empty type of gal, but after the work I have done on myself, I would consider myself more optimistic–I filled my glass to half full. However, this year has made optimism all the more challenging. How do you keep on when there seems to be nothing to keep keepin on for?

I have always had some kind of job since the age of 14. Back in my babysitting days, I would earn money to buy CDs & new sneakers. Back when HMV, Tower Records, & Virgin Megastore were still in existence (the good old days), I would walk after school to Virgin Megastore with friends and just walk around and look at all the cool stuff, and maybe buy a cassette single. Nowadays, I spend my money differently, obviously, and the pandemic has only added financial stress & worry. But besides the fact that I have to pay bills (and I also do love to treat myself!), work does something more for me than just being a source of income. Work has always been something that added this sense of worth and purpose to my life. 

My last job before this whole pandemic got out of hand didn’t end well. I lost myself in the job (which is ultimately why I left– note to self, write blog on how insane that job was). Even though what was demanded from me was unrealistic, and I didn’t know how to set boundaries & keep those boundaries, I still absolutely loved what I did. I liked having such an all-encompassing role, & even though I also wasn’t appreciated at my job, I felt very accomplished in my completion of tasks. I worked hard & did things I never thought I could do. I also worked hard to get there. I went from cleaning apartments to becoming a personal assistant to ultimately having a client of mine hire me to help launch her start-up clothing line.

When I told my boss I’d be leaving the job, it was one week before we were told to quarantine. I felt comfortable quitting because I still had some old clients of mine just in case, and figured that within a month, I would be able to find something else that was full-time. As we all know, COVID ruined a lot of plans, including mine. It’s been months since I’ve worked now, and I miss going to work every day. I have always wanted to use my writing & my experiences as a way to help others. So, even though I’ve been out of work, I am grateful that I have decided to start this project to work on & hope it can spread to even more people. That’s why even though I haven’t been feeling great, I really wanted to pop back onto the blog and connect.

Finally, just a friendly reminder to be gentle with yourself. Everyone has their own individual challenges & struggles, of course, but the state of this country is only adding tenfold to that. You are not alone; trust me, we are all going through it right now. Stay well.