daily outfit: the “new work uniform” edition.
this morning, i went to an early-ish pure barre class & then decided to make the most of this day.
with a high of 75 degrees, i stopped by my house & changed into my new work uniform.
i set up shop at an umbrella-covered table outside & began the day’s work.
admittedly, this isn’t exactly how i pictured my work life going down, but if this is my life for the time being, i think it’s an okay way to live it out.
thank you.
it’s been 7 days filled with waves of emotion, endless networking efforts & supportive shout outs from loved ones.
there have been moments of angst & anxiety, nervousness & trepidation, uneasiness & self-doubt, but more importantly, & perhaps more crucial, there hasn’t been one moment in the last week when i haven’t felt an overwhelming (underlying?) sense of hope & light.
every “like,” text, email, instagram, blog post, facebook message, etc. means more than i can adequately express.
so please know that i am extremely grateful & have not let any action go unnoticed.
thank you, i truly mean it.
p.s. don’t wait until an unfortunate event occurs to tell/show someone you care, tell them today. i’ll be doing the same. xo
a happy story (!!!):
a few weekends ago, i met this pretty girl, crissy, for brunch.
at Petit chou, they are known for their serve yourself coffee.
you grab a mug from the coffee mug tree & fill ‘er up yourself.
crissy & i usually grab a table, set down our handbags & bolt straight for the brew.
except on that particular saturday, i arrived a couple minutes late, crissy was already seated & she was drinking orange juice & h2o.
i walked in, set down my handbag, gave her side eye & said, “no coffee?”
she sweetly responded, “not today”
“are you sure? i can grab you a cup” i offered.
i immediately knew the news.
as i sat back down, we caught up on a couple life events before she she finally revealed, “i’m pregnant!!!”
i clapped like she was my star athlete receiving a shiny gold trophy, & i couldn’t stop smiling!
crissy is my family.
she is the sister i never had yet adopted as my own at the age of 13.
i am so, so happy for her & her sweet husband, adam…
the baby is due this coming january & i already have hair bows picked out for a girl & preppy perfection picked out for a boy.
it’s no secret that i already adore brunch, but the news served that Saturday surpassed all other meals!
daily outfit: the “you look bright” edition.
i’m trying.
this morning i got up & did 7 miles before meeting up with two ex-co-workers for brunch.
it felt good to run, to set a goal for the day, to talk with those who know what this feels like.
& to be told, “you look bright” wasn’t so bad to hear either.
i’ve always believed that the simplest pleasures in life are what can make or break a day, & now more than ever, i’m clinging to that belief.
it’s monday. the start of a fresh, new week.
i know this week can’t possibly be worse than last—let’s make it a good one.
dear BR,
in my 28 years, i’ve realized many things about you, but most importantly, i’ve realized you’re one of the good guys.
I thank you for being a role model of the man I deserve, a strong example of determination, a man of your word & my prime sounding board for great advice.
also, thank you for my head of hair—it’s some pretty fabulous hair.
I love you, I’m proud of you & I am so grateful you’re my father.
xo, B
daily outfit: the “Saturday’s simple pleasures” edition.
i cancelled my 9:15 am pure barre class & opted for extra sleep.
it had been a week without a full night’s rest & i finally felt last night, that it could actually be achieved.
when the natural light woke me up this morning, i stretched out my legs & closed my eyes once again.
when i groggily woke for good, it had been 9 hours since i laid down my head, yet the weight on my shoulders could’ve kept me down for another few.
instead, i brewed some coffee, made some toast, read the paper & started on the duties of today.
today’s the first day i found myself truly savoring the simple pleasures— the warmer temperatures, the sun on my shoulders, the top knot on my head, the taste of diet coke, the check-ins from friends, the LinkedIn recommendations, the retrieval of my resume, the advice from loved ones & the thoughts that this is all just a temporary situation.
i know i probably won’t discover my next step overnight (it’s gonna take a little time) so in the meantime, i’m soaking up the goodness that exists in today.
daily outfit: the “if you can’t dress for work, you might as well dress for the search” edition.
it’s a gorgeous day in indianapolis, the type of day that beckons for eating every meal outdoors, driving with the windows down & sipping on arnold palmer’s all afternoon.
my day started with breakfast along the Monon Trail followed by good pounding of the pavement for 7 miles.
(side note: i have a feeling my recently reuinited love of fitness is going to come in quite handy during the next few days/weeks)
my afternoon will be filled with hours spent networking, researching, filing, applying, etc etc etc.
this may not be the most ideal way to spend a beautiful day in the city,
but i figure if there’s any ideal way to spend day #2 of unemployment, this is definitely it.
in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)
yesterday morning, i posted the following image with the caption,
“dear Wednesday, I started my day at 5 am because I wanted to make the most out of you. in return, please be kind. xo, B.”
who would’ve known a mere 4 hours later, i’d be sitting unemployed. how’s that for kindness?
it was all kind of a blur. waking up at 5 am to get in an early morning run. a quick stop at Starbucks to pick up a venti blonde. a morning walk with Zach, my beloved co-worker, as we discussed the eeriness felt throughout the office. being called into a meeting room with 9 other people where no real words of compassion, understanding or emotion were expressed— it was all from a script, like a third grader performing at their first Grandparent’s Day assembly.
by ten a.m., i had consumed enough caffeine to take on another day of writing & editing. by noon, i was standing in the parking lot with my office belongings in a foreign bag hanging from my shoulder & not one clue where to begin.
the truth is, i could sense this coming for months. i’d been mentally preparing myself to be a survivor, once again, of a RIF (after all, the last one occurred just 9 months prior). what i didn’t prepare for was that i would actually be one of those let go.
yesterday, i was subjected to seeing tears fall from the eyes of people who had earned my respect, i was disappointed in those who couldn’t acknowledge my presence as they passed by post-cut, i was humbled by the outpouring of support i received & i was proud i was able to hold in all emotions until i arrived at the comfort of my home.
today, it’s been over 24 hours since i received the news, & a somewhat shotty game plan has been put into place.
i don’t know what all of this means, i don’t know how my name got thrown into the mix, i don’t know if i’ll ever be able to respect those who made the decision yet didn’t have the audacity to look me in the eyes,
but i do know i’ll figure it out. i always do.
i spent 18 months at a place where i never felt truly respected, & i think it’s time i find somewhere that i am.
“good things are coming” is what they used to say, & for once, i finally believe it. because after the events that took place yesterday, good things truly can be headed my way…
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
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