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.

Thankfully, unemployment didn’t last long because I GOT A JOB IN APRIL! ✨ Less than two months later(!), which I know is incredibly lucky. I found something new, and I’m grateful every day that the uncertainty didn’t drag on longer. But while I was in the job search? 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 that I pretty much ghosted this space. Sorry, not sorry, because it’s hard to be read or write when you’re spiraling.

2. My Kindle and the Libby app
   Again, I didn’t read a lot, but when I did, it was thanks to these two things. Which helped me save on buying books (my weakness).

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

4. The

   Laid Off
   Newsletter
   The rumors are true: being unemployed is weirdly isolating, but this newsletter made me feel less like a failure. I was most inspired by the people profiled who went on to launch businesses or new projects amid a career setback. It made me reflect on how much I’ve prioritized work over personal passions and how that needs to change immediately.

5. Chilis!

   Fun fact: I worked at Chili’s for about two years in college! So, take it from me: honey chipotle chicken crispers always make everything better. Or a triple dipper. Or both.

6. Haus Labs Concealer by Lady Gaga

   I’ve tried plenty of concealers over the last few years, and this is by far the best. The color match is amazing, and it’s pretty much the only reason I looked remotely alive on Zoom interviews.

7. Bloom Energy Drinks

   These sparkling energy drinks boosted my energy without the icky crash immediately after, which sounds too good to be true, but I’m serious! Try the Cherry Lime flavor for yourself.

8. Actually running

   Not a walk with vibes. A real run. A full mile without stopping after like 14 years of not running at all. Afterward, it felt like I deserved a medal and a nap. Mostly a nap.

9. The Kids Pack at AMC

   A tiny popcorn. A tiny drink. Candy, you can upgrade (and I frequently do because I hate the fruit snacks that come with it). 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.)

10. Doing pottery

    I’ve been throwing for like two years now and it’s always been messy and meditative. One day, I’ll make something besides a mug.

11. Reading to tiny humans

    My favorite way to volunteer. The kids are so sweet and attentive. After the group storytime, a few even came over and asked me to read another book to them.

12. Deleting Duolingo

    Goodbye 634-day streak. It was cool while it lasted, but let’s be honest: my Spanish was not improving by much. Plus, I was already unemployed. I didn’t need a cartoon owl yelling at me every day (multiple times a day), too.

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

    I manifested this tote during the job search, and I bought it less than 24 hours after I got a job offer. It’s the perfect size, holds everything I could need (including my 14-inch work laptop), and is a nice upgrade from my former canvas-tote life.

14. 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 moved on to Cowboy Carter, but Renaissance is still speaking to me, especially these lyrics, as I start a new chapter. 🎶

I'm looking for motivation
I'm looking for a new foundation, yeah
And I'm on that new vibration
I'm building my own foundation, yeah

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