The whole mantra of this blog is to always look on the sunny side. Sometimes we face hardships or change that make it hard to see the good that is to come. The saying, “everything happens for a reason” is one that we all can’t help to say to someone else but usually hate to hear ourselves because it doesn’t relieve the pain or change circumstances in the moment.
January was a really hard month for me. I was unemployed and unmotivated about the job prospects. I felt like I was stuck at a crossroad not knowing which way to go? I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a job – go back to the corporate grind or start something new? In truth, I wasn’t looking very hard and anything I did find I managed to find a reason why it wasn’t a good fit. As time went on I felt paralyzed. I used my upcoming wedding as an excuse to not get a job.
While my career aspirations were up in the air something else, something positive, started to take shape… I started taking better care of myself. I joined Iron Tribe Fitness and committed to their 6 week challenge (the irony is that when I was gainfully employed it was too expensive and now unemployed I decided to cough up the dough!). On top of that I decided to give boxing a try and love it! I have been totally dedicated to my workouts and am starting to see real progress (i.e. my wedding dress zipped right up!). I have lost 12 lbs in 9 weeks!
I also started cooking! Yes, people, it is true! Ever since I have lived on my own I have refused to cook. I didn’t even own a skillet until two years ago when my co-worker gave me one as a housewarming gift! Now? I cook three meals a day! It’s crazy. The motivation behind this was not really to get fit, it was more a consequence of being unemployed and wanting to save money. However, as my skills improved and my effort at the gym became more focused, my motivation shifted as well. I have found an appreciation for cooking. Also, a big change from before, now I have someone else to cook for and I do find joy in making things John likes to eat and make him happy.
Something else started to happen while I was focusing on getting healthy and fit… I started to have more confidence in pursuing a business venture I have been thinking about for a long time. I have always loved real estate and now, with my newfound downtime, I had the time to jump in and start a real estate investing company! I started up an LLC and I already have my first flip project in the works and a second on the horizon! Had I gone right back into the corporate world, I would not have made the time to do this and kept putting it off.
Another outcome of this unsolicited time off is that I have been able to knock out so many things for the wedding! I am down to the very few final details and should have everything wrapped up in the next two weeks! So crazy that we only have 15 weeks until our wedding day!
And then (I promise I am almost done), out of the blue, my mentor from last company reached out asked if I would be interested in a job! While in my mind I had decided to wait until after the wedding to get a “real” job, I just couldn’t pass this up! I will be working remotely and traveling quarterly which I like. I love my boss and I think I will be able to learn a lot and do a lot in this role. Plus, Phase 2 of my real estate business is to build a rental portfolio and you can’t get a mortgage (even through an LLC) if you do not have an income. So that helps speed up Phase 2! I start my job on the 15th and I am very excited to add more structure and purpose to my days and of course, pay to get my nails done (y’all I have only gotten one manicure since December 5th)!
So I guess what I am trying to convey, no matter what tough times you are going through, try to compartmentalize the bad and look for the good. Eventually, the bad the will end and you move forward. Always keep looking for the sunny side.
