Footnotes: All The Things That Kept Me Sane During Funemployment

An April recap of sorts...

Hey, sometimes a girl wants to talk about more than just books! So, welcome to Footnotes, a monthly rundown of all my off-the-page side quests (with a slight twist for April!)

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In case you missed it, I got laid off in February.

And while I saw it coming (and know the reasoning was total bullshit), nothing prepares you for the shame-filled free fall that follows. A blur of existential dread, job-search-related nightmares, and an annoying amount of boredom. People kept telling me to take things day by day and “enjoy the downtime,” which sounds great in theory, but I’m not exactly the wait-and-see-what-happens type.

a relatable read for this time in my life

Thankfully, unemployment didn’t last long. YES, I GOT A JOB IN APRIL! ✨ Less than two months later(!), which I know is incredibly lucky. I found something new, something great, and I’m grateful every day that the uncertainty didn’t drag on longer. But while I was in it? YIKES. Won’t miss it. Never wanna go back.

So consider this my little ode to the tiny, random things that helped me hold it together while everything felt like it was falling apart.

still dreaming about that PB&J matcha...

1. Not writing my newsletter

   I’m sure you noticed. Sorry, not sorry, because it’s hard to be creative when you’re spiraling.

2. Lots of fun matcha lattes
   PB&J, orange creamsicle, and even banana pudding.

3. The

   Laid Off
   Newsletter
   The rumors are true: being unemployed is weirdly isolating, but this newsletter made me feel like less of a failure.

4. Chilis!

   Honey chipotle chicken crispers always make everything better.

   

   everything is better with chilis 🌶️

5. Haus Labs Concealer by Lady Gaga

   The only reason I looked remotely alive on Zoom interviews.

6. Bloom Energy Drinks

   Yeah, I didn’t sleep well during this time at all. Thank you, cherry lime.

7. Actually running

   Not a walk with vibes. A real run. A full mile without stopping. Felt like I deserved a medal and a nap. Mostly a nap.

8. The Kids Pack at AMC

   A tiny popcorn. A tiny drink. Candy, you can upgrade. Budget-friendly bliss. Perfect for when you have an AMC A-List membership but don’t want to spend a lot on snacks. (But still, you know, want snacks.)

   

   a kids pack, my reward for somehow managing to run a mile

9. Doing pottery

   Messy and meditative. One day, I’ll make something besides a mug.

10. Reading to tiny humans

    My favorite way to volunteer.

11. Deleting Duolingo

    I was already unemployed. I didn’t need a cartoon owl yelling at me, too.

12. The Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote (in Caramel)

    Manifested it during the job search. Bought it less than 24 hours after I got a job offer.

13. Michael B. Jordan x2 in Sinners (with a Southern accent??)

    Technically, I was no longer unemployed when I saw this, but whatever, it’s still going on the list because the anticipation leading up to the premiere kept me sane. It was a cinematic masterpiece. Yes, I saw it more than once. Yes, I gasped (and laughed) out loud. And yes, I wanted Annie’s hand to be my hand in that scene. IYKYK.

I know everyone’s currently on Cowboy Carter, but Renaissance is still speaking to me.

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