Getting Over That Hill

I like to walk in a pretty park across the street from our neighborhood with a two-mile paved walking trail. Every time I walk through, I take deep breaths, enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate the park’s natural beauty. Until I get to this one big hill, and then, I’m miserable. It’s in a part of the trail where the sun beats down on me harshly. The twists and turns make it that much more difficult for me to climb. I plow through, but it’s not my favorite section of the park. And then I remember, what goes up must come down. The rest of the trail from there is basically downhill, and I arrive home feeling relaxed and invigorated.

Today, I didn’t even notice the hill. I was deep in thought about being laid off, my recent job search, and how things are moving along at a snail’s pace. Like that hill, it feels insurmountable. It’s easy to get discouraged. I’m one resume in a large pile on my potential employer’s desk. I have an excellent cover letter that shows my ability to write and think creatively. But, I’m not sure people actually read it or just scan it for my salary requirements. My resume is long at three pages, but it’s a well thought out representation of a successful marketing career so far.

I know, I know. A three page resume is probably too long. I need to cut it down. That’s next week’s project. 

I think it is more productive to attend networking events and ask people out for coffee or lunch to pick their brains. I love this part of the job search. There are always ways in which we can help each other, and we do so without hesitation. Last week, I sat down with someone and discovered we were both applying for the same positions. At first, it was a bit awkward, but as we continued to talk, we started rooting for each other to land the job. Building these relationships is so important during any job search. I plan to keep them going after I land a new position. In the meantime, I’m hoping my efforts will get me an “in” somewhere, and soon. Once I get over that hill, it will be downhill from there.

For now, I’m hoping to do some freelance work so I can keep my skills sharp and my creative juices flowing. I’m working on a new website and portfolio so people know where to find me and what I have to offer. And, I’m trying not too stress out too much. That is not an easy task, but I have a list of projects I never got around to this summer. I call it my list of distractions. It’s a solid list that will keep me busy. I need to apply for TSA Pre-Check and get a Real ID in case my new job involves a lot of traveling. I want to clean out and redesign my home office. I’ll very likely be working in a remote, or preferably hybrid, environment and need my office to be much more comfortable and inviting.

There are a bunch of books on my TBR that I’m working my way through when I need a break. And thanks to those long walks and that G-d awful hill, I’ve lost 12 lbs already and will keep working my program until I get back to a healthier weight.

And thankfully, the Ultimate Blog Challenge is the writing project I need to keep on creating for and connecting with those who read it and my fellow bloggers. I’m looking forward to it!

XO,

Elisa