Stress

Last time I was on a job search, I’ll admit I hit some mental health walls. It wasn’t just the job search – I also had a parent who was failing and dealing with that was really stressful too. But it got really bad when I wouldn’t go outside during “work hours.”

I am now 4 weeks past the day of the meeting with HR and my VP telling me I was on the lay off list. I think I’m doing OK but it’s early days right? I received 2 rejection emails over the last week that I freely admit stung a bit because I respect the company and I thought my skills were a good match to the job description. But hey – I networked in and maybe the next role that comes up will be an even better match.

It’s tough being between jobs when I have invested so much of myself in my work. I’m unapologetically a Type A person – I actually love to work. So not having that work rhythm to drive my days is difficult.

I’m still up at 6:30am every morning and trying to keep a routine of getting to my desk well before 9am to look at the job boards and network. And I’ve started the process of renewing my Google Analytics and Google Adwords certifications. Might even take some coding classes I’ve been eyeing after the holidays. But I’m REALLY hoping this search doesn’t take a really long time – the emotional roller coaster isn’t a good place for me!

I found these articles about stress and searching for a job – check them out? They might be helpful!

Busy, busy, busy….

I’ve been so busy to-doing this morning I’m later than usual getting here to write. I’ve been busy networking – and writing thank you notes. I even wrote a thank you note for a rejection email. Sounds weird doesn’t it?

I believe in saying thank you. Even when it seems counterintuitive. Good manners are in short supply these days but my Mom would roll over in her grave if I didn’t use my manners!

Seriously – it isn’t hard to say “please” or “thank you.” Or hold a door open for people. Or return your shopping cart to the corrals in the parking lot. Having a little bit of consideration for your fellow humans shouldn’t be so hard!

So acknowledge an email. Send a thank you for that gift. Use your turn signal. Let someone into your lane in traffic. Smile and say please or thank you! It may make someone’s day – maybe even your own!

A first for me…

I try to theme my posts here and Mondays are the first day of the work week so my theme has been firsts. But in a first for me, I have nothing today. Nothing is jumping out at me as a first in history, nothing is happening that is a first for me and really, I’m just a little out of sorts today.

So how about some random thoughts?

  • I’m planning to get outside and walk today for the first time since Thanksgiving. Maybe that’s why I’m out of sorts? I haven’t had any real exercise in 2 weeks!
  • I have a new recipe for Christmas this year that seems to be a hit with my former co-workers judging by their reaction to trying them on Friday, Want to try yourself? Put mini Nilla wafers flat side up on a cookie sheet. Top with a Rolo candy and put into a 250 degree oven for 2-3 minutes. Take out of the oven and top with another Nilla wafer squishing down to make a little sandwich. Allow to cool completely and dip in chocolate. I’m told it tastes like a Twix – but I don’t like caramel so I’ll never know!
  • On this date in 1948, the first woman US army officer not in the medical corps was sworn in. That’s a good first!
  • Just tried an online random thought generator – I got this: Don’t let anyone ever dull your sparkle. Words to live by! And maybe exactly what I needed this morning.

Want to try the random thought generator yourself? Give it a whirl at https://www.bestrandoms.com/random-thoughts

Feeling like a kid…

Last night, I went to the Illumination at the Morton Arboretum. Walking around looking at the lights and drinking hot chocolate will sure make you feel like a kid again! It was just beautiful!

As a kid, we didn’t have anything like the Morton Arboretum near us. But every year, we drove around town in the evenings to see the Christmas lights put up on various homes – it sure puts you in the holiday spirit! My favorite was always Dr. Herman’s house – he lived in a big 2 story house with a big porch and on the roof of the porch, he had Santa flying the sleigh with all the reindeer. I wasn’t the only one that loved that house – people in town had a Cat’s Meow figure of the house created that was sold in a shop downtown! And when the house was finally sold, a condition of the sale was that Santa and the reindeer would continue to be displayed every year. So Santa has been on that house for more than 50 years! Here’s my Cat’s Meow figure:

I’m enjoying my blast from the past – what makes you feel like a kid again? Leave a comment and tell me!

Orthodontist!

Today, I’m off to the orthodontist. Isn’t that for kids you say? Apparently not! I was an adult when I got braces. My teeth were so badly aligned that I broke one and the dentist told me I had to get braces or it would be the first of many breaks. So as a 40 year old, I rocked a tin grin.

And because I waited so long, I’m still wearing retainers at night. So occassionally, I have to go back to the orthodontist to have the retainers adjusted. Currently, my bottom retainer is cutting up my tongue so the visit today is a must.

But having braces really contributed to my overall wellness. Oral heath has been linked to heart issues, pregnancy complications and even respiratory issues so having an easier time with brushing/flossing and lessening the chances of infection with broken teeth has been a real plus for me. The bonus has been a straighter, whiter smile!

Want to learn more about orthodontia? It really isn’t just for kids anymore – check out these articles for info if you might be considering braces as an adult:

To-Do Today…

We all have those days when we know we have things we should do but just don’t have it in us to do it right? It’s not just me?

Top of my to-do list today? I have to get back to someone about a role at a company – and I’m just not interested in it. I know nothing about the product and it’s not something I’m passionate about. So I’m just not feeling a fit.

On the other hand, my people pleaser gene is kicking in and I’m already feeling a tinge of guilt because the outreach from this company was instigated by a networking friend. And after nearly 3 weeks of not working, I’m ready to be working again. So turning my nose up at an opportunity seems so wrong!

So what am I going to do? Schedule the chat and see – maybe I could get interested in the product right? And you never know what it might lead to…

Monday again?

I know – I’m not working and it’s messing with my idea of what day it is. The long Thanksgiving weekend didn’t help with that either! I feel a bit like I did when the pandemic started – it’s just weird not being in my old work rhythm!

I just sent my resume off to a friend who is a consultant to CEOs – I’ve known her for more than 20 years because she hosts the Friendsgiving celebration I go to every year. And I never realized exactly what she does professionally until this year. How weird is it that you know someone for years and years without ever really knowing much about their professional life?

Networking might be a first step in the job search process, but I can’t say I’m good at it. I know a lot of people and I think by and large they think well of me – but I’m a little on the introverted side so the idea of asking around about open positions doesn’t come easily to me. So I’m kind of proud that I’m putting myself out there so quickly after the layoff – and I’m actually getting my name to the right people! I’m really blessed in my friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yeah, yeah – it’s Wellness Wednesday. But it’s also the day before Thanksgiving so you know what that means – cooking a feast! I will be contributing 2 kinds of cookies to the Friendsgiving party I’m going to – which isn’t your peak health food.

So my only tips for you today are:

  • Moderation in everything – you don’t have to eat full servings of everything on the table! I like to make my Thanksgiving plate more of a tapas experience and just get dabs of everything. It’s kinder to me in the long run when I’m not miserably full!
  • Take a walk! A long standing tradition at our Friendsgiving is to take a long walk around the neighborhood after the meal (and before dessert). We have a lot of fun out on our walk – even when it’s been raining or snowing!
  • Wear stretchy pants. Friendsgiving for me is a 3 hour car ride away from home – comfy pants are a must no matter how much I eat.

So that’s it for the blog this week – taking tomorrow and Friday off for the holiday festivities. Have a great Thanksgiving and see you all next week!

Networking

On this To-Do Tuesday, I’m networking! I’ve got a list of companies I’m targeting as places I would like to work AND where I think my experience and skill set would be appreciated. Yesterday, I spent hours scrolling through LinkedIn and found a list of people that know people in my target companies and started networking.

I’m always amazed at how quickly you can find someone that knows someone. That game of six degrees of separation is even smaller in the business world – and I am VERY fortunate in my friends and former co-workers.

My LinkedIn pages are a gold mine! I’m overwhelmed with how people are responding even during this holiday week. So yeah – I got laid off, but I am blessed. Gotta run now – having lunch and networking with some old friends from my Midas days!