“It’s brutal out here”

If you don’t know, HubSpot laid off 500 people and I was one of the unlucky ducks that was let go. The song that’s been replaying in my head is Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo.

I’m counting my blessings since I have some time to find another day job. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to reflect on myself as a professional and an artist. I’ve been able to see that I’ve been sacrificing so much of my creative energy for this job and the false sense of security that Corporate America gives you. Being a “full-time artist” is practically impossible at my current stage of life and so I choose to work a day job and use my professional skills. I’m seeing this as a short-term solution until I am able to afford land in California.

Although, this layoff has forced me to postpone moving into a new apartment and potentially lose the new car I was trying to buy, since I no longer have a source of income. After being a contractor for a little over a year, I'm lucky that I became a full time employee in December so I received a severance package, but banks don’t see this as income so until I have a new position my life is on pause.

However, I refuse to fall into the same spiral that accompanies these kinds of life events. I choose to grow and continue to find ways to create my own definition of success. I hope that if you’re reading this that you will choose to enhance your life the same way. Find the path that works for you and don’t adjust it for anyone but yourself. The road could get rocky or confusing, and you may want to just stop, but keep going. Eventually, it makes sense again and you will find where you’re meant to be.