Thriving or Surviving

On June 27th, 2024, I was given a layoff notice and 60 days to finish out my position before it would be eliminated. August 27th, I walked away without a new job lined up, despite many applications and many interviews -- a technicality in my old job's classification was getting in the way of a new job offer.  Fast forward to October 7th when I started a new job.  I was actually offered four jobs all at about the same time and had interviews for several others lined up. It felt great to know I was WANTED. I felt validated and valued! Of the four jobs I was offered: The first was offered based entirely on my resume and after only a five minute conversation. The pay, however, was low and the hours not great. The second job I was offered seemed like a great cultural fit and everyone was welcoming and warm when I did a shadow session as part of the interview process. The HR person told me that I not only could negotiate any offered salary but that I SHOULD . They offered just a tin...

This post contains affiliate links towards the end. Any purchase made through such links may result in a commission to me, but at NO COST to you. Thank you in advance! My mental health has been suffering lately. I received a layoff notice at work on June 27th and my job was officially eliminated on August 27th. Throughout the two months in between, and the month and a half since then and when I am drafting this post, I've been stressed out, anxious, and depressed. I very quickly started to binge more social media content than is normal for me, but I also realized that even before these events, I was spending a lot more time on social media than is ideal.  You can learn more about my lay off journey on YouTube HERE . Early in September, I was scrolling on Instagram, mindlessly, and realized how dissatisfied I was with my time on social media, primarily Instagram and Facebook. I really don't use much else -- I dabble in YouTube and go to Pinterest for inspiration and recipes, but...

This blog post contains an affiliate link for Rothy's, indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the first instance of the link. Approaching new people and trying to make connections can feel impossible for shy, socially anxious introverts like myself. Being an introvert alone can make socializing a challenge, but also being shy and socially anxious makes getting to know others feel terribly daunting.  What do you say? How do you approach someone? How do you keep the conversation going? For many, these aren't big issues and meeting new people and keeping the conversation going is easy and doesn't require much thought.  But, if you're shy and feel anxious meeting new people and being social, I have a tip for you -- especially if, like me, you want to be social but feel paralyzed by the prospect: Make your wardrobe do some of the work for you.  Frequently I meet people and start chatting because a stranger approaches me to compliment some aspect of my attire or to ask a questi...