Pep Talk

Last weekend I had the opportunity to play tourist in my own town.  It was incredible. Well, it was mostly incredible because of the people I was spending the weekend with. My mom, dad, brother Zach, sister-in-law Darcie and my niece Clara all came into Chicago for a little get away.  Although the weather wasn't perfect, we still made the best of the weekend and were able to enjoy all aspects of the city.  Quick shout out to my parents for braving the cold- loved seeing you guys more than you know!

On to the real stuff.  As many of you know, I'm in the job market in Chicago.  Or as I like to call it, I'm currently fUnEmployed. Some may ask: what exactly does that entail?  Let me give you a quick run down of a typical day.

  8am: Walk to 7-11 across the street for a deliciously inexpensive cup of coffee (with the roommates)
  9am: Google the sh*t out of companies I am interested in
11am: Tweet something funny about job searching & check Linkedin
12pm: Write a few cover letters, send some resumes
  2pm: Do the insanity workout (with the roommates)
  3pm: Send some resumes
  6pm: Zumba
  8pm: Bed

Okay so that might be a bit exaggerated- I'm not usually in bed by 8 and I eat sometimes too.  You get the gist.  Most of my friends in Chicago are in the same boat. Occasionally we get together to play football or roam the streets- but for the most part we're full speed ahead at landing our next gig.  Although we're trying to make of fUnEmployment, this cycle is beginning to get a bit tedious and repetitive.  Yesterday a friend shared this video with me... Today this video is going viral.  Check it out. We could all use a little pep talk!

"The world needs you to stop being boring... Yeah, You!"

xoxo
-Kaitlyn

PS. This kids got my vote

a dose of self discovery

I've never been big on self discovery, meditation, "alone time" or yoga. I'm just not good at it.   However, the past few days have allowed for a lot of time inside my own head.  Shockingly, I'm not mad about it.  After cleaning my room, not just shoving my clothes in the bins under my bed, I felt, for lack of a better word, calm.  When I moved to Chicago everything happened so quickly.  I didn't take the time to hang my photos of the wall or make my bed everyday like I'd done for majority of my life (my mom said it was good luck- maybe that's why I didn't get the job...). Having the time to do these little daily chores and tasks has done wonders.  I believe I slept better last night because I could stretch out on my entire twin bed and not have to be nestled between clean clothes and winter coats.  Everything was back in the right place, my mind included. In a sense it was dose of self discovery to have a clean room.

I've been reminding myself lately about the things that I continuously put off or avoid; but that I am never mad about doing after they're done.  So far my list includes cleaning my room, working out, cooking a legitimate meal- not a frozen pizza, painting my nails, writing a hand written note, actually engaging in a real conversation, unplugging (no cell phone, computer etc.) for an hour a day, reading a book and 95% I'm not mad after I strike up a conversation with a stranger.  Surprisingly, after I complete these things I've realized I actually enjoy them and that is important to incorporate them into my daily life.  Sure, that is easy now that I am fUnEmployed.  But I am going to make it a priority that with my next job I remember how important these things are for my own sanity.

I rarely ask things of others. It isn't exactly in my nature.  But I'm going to make an exception today. I'd like to ask each of you to contribute to the list. It is so easy to get caught up in work, family, social media, celebrity gossip and life itself that we don't take the time to do the things we love.  So please, comment on this post with the things that YOU put off doing but are never mad about once the task is complete.  I can't wait to hear about what you enjoy!

And while you're at it engaging in social media when you should be working- take a look at this video and share it with your friends because it is an important lesson for all of us.

xoxo

-Kaitlyn

fUnEmployment

The past five months have been a roller coaster. The kind that looks terrifying.  The kind that your stomach twists and turns while you wait in the turnstile. The kind that once you go over your first loop you can't wipe the stupid smile off your face.  The kind that leaves you wanting more. The kind that gives you the confidence to take on the bigger coaster. I left Red Frog on Friday afternoon wanting more.

I had put my blood, sweat and tears into everything a Red Frog and got more out of the experience than I could have even hoped.  However, it looks like this time I didn't quite make the height requirement to take on the next coaster.  This isn't the first time this has happened in my life.   If you haven't heard by now, I did not get offered a full time position.   The initial blow was tough to swallow. People always say that when you work hard, good things will happen, or good things happen to good people, or even better my favorite quote, "The best way to predict your future is to create it."  I spend Saturday wallowing in self-doubt and emotionally eating everything insight.  The list was actually pretty impressive.  I started with an omelette with a side of toast and hash browns, ate a slice of ice cream cake AND a slice of chocolate cake left over from Jake's birthday party, about 10 pigs in a blanket and 5/8 of a Domino's pizza. No I am not proud of this self indulging feast, but I think it adds to the story. And yes, Mom, I did puke at the end of the night- overindulging has never sat well with me (I am not bulimic, I do not need medical attention, haha). It took a while to fall asleep on Saturday night, but when I woke up on Sunday I felt refreshed.  I was back. Took a shower, whipped up some egg whites and turkey bacon and felt like a million bucks.  So what if I was unemployed, so is half of America.  I decided right then and there that I was going to make the best of the situation and pull the positives out of my experience. After all, I wasn't raised to give up.

The next few weeks might be a little different, but I sure as hell am going to make them fun. For example, today I'm going to be a hair model and get a blow out at a fancy salon! Wednesday night I'm going on a date?! Apparently being unemployed isn't as unattractive as it sounds. Thursday I'm having drinks with lady I met while shopping for my Halloween shoes (She works at Red Bull- making that net, work!) And the most fun thing of all is that my mom, dad, Zach, Darc & Clara Mae are coming to visit this weekend!


So remember friends, All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
          -Walt Disney

Thanks for your overwhelming love and support.  Remember to enjoy the things you have, take the time to stop and smell the roses and most importantly do what you love.  I'm thinking that at my next job I will rock some heels to make that height requirement!

xoxo
kaitlyn