Every day, I’d wake up, read the news, and see one more metaphorical (or literal) dumpster fire burning somewhere in America. It got to the point where I stopped reading U.S. news outlets and only read international news, but sadly, Americans kept providing fodder for their readers too.
A (Flaming) Hot Mess
Regardless of your political views, the years leading up to the 2016 presidential election were a surreal time in America. People I believed to be sane and rational became rabid activists about niche causes and issues they’d never heard of a few months prior.
Unfortunately, after the 2016 election, things didn’t get any better (actually, they most definitely got worse). Shortly after the pandemic started, I was laid off from a job I loved in the fashion/e-commerce industry. A few months later, the company closed permanently, leaving ~130 of my friends and former colleagues unemployed as well.
Escapism at its Best
While searching for a new job, I oscillated between depression and living my best life. As a “geriatric millennial” (though I prefer the term ‘Elder Millennial‘), I’ve been employed – with at least one job at a time – since I was 16. I mention my generational niche because it’s said my generation derives much of our self-worth from our work; I certainly did. Without a job, initially, I had no purpose. I drank too much, got VERY depressed, and put on weight that I would later find nearly impossible to lose. Lucky me.
However, I channeled my desire to work into activities around the house and thrived during lockdown. I spent 24/7 with my dog, following a daily routine of cooking, cleaning, looking for work, gardening, and exploring countries where I’d (someday) like to live. I relished the idea of being fully remote and the pandemic gave me hope that working that way may one day be possible.
Fast forward to finding an amazing new employer who (like many) kept employees fully remote during the pandemic. They were able to expand their geographic hiring footprint and started hiring more talent outside of their home state of Virginia. When the pandemic ended, they offered a hybrid work arrangement, so those living near the office could come in and work from there (if/when desired) or work from home. It was perfect.
During the pandemic, our youngest son also graduated high school (with subdued fanfare), went to college (with none of the norms of a typical Freshman undergrad experience), decided the cost wasn’t worth the expense of living in a dorm to take online classes, and subsequently returned home.
So, I hunkered down for the next few years while he figured out what he wanted to do, and I started planning our next move as an Empty Nester.