Spoiler Alert: There is no Wrong Way
Maybe it's time to stop worrying about doing life the *absolute right way* and instead embrace your way.
“Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.”
Bob Goff
Hola Friends,
I can’t even remember where I found the quote above, but geez Louise, it hits. I mean, turn on the news for three seconds, and it seems like every story can be summarized with the same three letters. (#wtf)
The world is full of uncertainty.
Always has been, always will be.
Uncertainty, in fact, is a great add-on to the popular sentiment about the only sure things in life being death and taxes.
Let’s update that…
The only sure things in life are death, taxes, and uncertainty.
Kind of ironic, but true.
True in life, true in business.
As a freelance writer, embracing uncertainty is actually part of my job description. The “feast or famine” scenario is real, which means I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities. Because you just never know.
To illustrate what this looks like, let me point out that right here in the middle of this newsletter, I’m pausing to say…
If you need crafty copy, or content for your website or newsletter, or want to send me around the world on assignment… I’m here for you.
(Click here to check out my services 😉.)
You might be wondering, is it stressful always being on the prowl? Yes, of course. But, the reality is that all jobs are stressful, and all jobs are at risk for change, reduction, or elimination. While some jobs feel less uncertain, one never can tell.
I’m certainly no expert, but I think the trick is to find something that aligns with you and how you operate. I mean, think of how much time is spent at work ~ the least we can do (for ourselves) is try to find something that we actually like. Right?
For example, as I write this, I’m in a coffee shop, listening to an onboarding meeting at the table behind me. The boss just explained, “You get thirty minutes for lunch, and two, ten-minute breaks throughout the day.”
My first inclination was to pass the young employee a note with “RUN! Get out while you can.” But of course, I didn’t, and of course, I know that jobs have schedules and expectations. That’s why they’re called jobs.
The good news is, predictable schedules and expectations also feature predictable paychecks and benefits, both of which are nothing to sneeze at.
Schedules are good. Jobs are good. Expectations are good.
Please don’t come for me.
My point is that we all have different levels of tolerance, comfort, and ability when it comes to performing various job tasks and roles.
The trick is to find the work situation that works for you, realizing that nothing is 100% guaranteed or perfect.
What uncertainty can you tolerate?
As someone who spent years longing to get out of the structure of a school day, I gladly embrace the uncertainty of an unknown schedule over the structure of a pre-determined one.
And all of this talk about uncertainty leads me to What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week.
When I sat there in that coffee shop listening to the new job training, I thought, OMG, I could never do that in a million years.
Set hours. Sitting at a desk. Reports to corporate. Ten minute breaks. 30 minute lunch breaks. (No, no, no, no, and no.)
Yet, somewhere in that coffee shop, someone was probably looking at me - a scraggly mess having come from a morning workout, plugging away on a laptop. Perhaps they thought, “How can she work with all this noise?”
If they dug deeper into my routine, they might add, “Are you kidding - get up at 4:30 to write? WHAT? Work solo all day? Work on personal & client newsletters all day? Wake up in the middle of the night to write down story ideas?”
My routine might be equally as horrifying. Yet it works for me.
The point is, we all do WORK and LIFE differently.
My work situation might seem more uncertain than Tom, the CPA down the block or Marge, the office manager at the car dealership,
but the truth is,
there’s no ultimate certainty in anything.
(Sorry, Tom & Marge.)
So if that’s the case, then maybe…
this is your sign to try that uncertain something
you’re actually very, very certain about.
What have you got to lose?
And with that, let’s get to this week’s links.
I’ve got a bunch you’ll want to investigate ~ a few for free subscribers and more for those on the paid plan. Speaking of which, if you wanted to try the paid plan, you can always do the 7 day free trial. I promise I won’t get mad if you stick with the free.
what I’ve been watching or want to watch…
Just finished Netflix’s NONNA, starring Vince Vauhn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini (you may remember Linda from Dead to Me). NONNA is a touching (touching!) movie about the recipes, traditions and love of our grandmas and moms. Watch with your mom, grandma, or remember them as you watch. ❤️
There never will be another pie as good as my mom’s lemon meringue. Or a lovelier pie maker. More feel good entertainment from the Yes Theory on YouTube. I mentioned the guys from Yes Theory before when they fulfilled 102 year old Dorothy’s wish to visit Australia so she could visit all 7 continents in her lifetime. This time, the crew surprised their taxi driver with a millionaire’s vacation. So cool!
Just started watching The Four Seasons on Netflix… a funny yet touching show about three longtime couples who always vacation together & what happens when one of the couples might divorce. A great cast including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Nick Forte, and others.
on my list to try…
This mask and products from this same company ~ why? The branding got me off the bat, but the products look like they’re just… good for you.
Also doesn’t hurt to have a list of best of’s for wellness… I’m definitely checking this out, and am especially intrigued by the earbuds on the list.
While I’m trying things, I’ve got to make this Greek salad. And who can have a Greek salad without thinking about wine? Here are five top wines to try this summer.
Yes, please. Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis on Unsplash
helpful tips…
I need to declutter every single thing mentioned on this list. And then I need to do this to my bedroom closet.
If you have Amazon Prime, be sure you’re getting all of its benefits.
Looking for clients? Searching for a new job? Looking for ways to make life easier? (AI can help!)
travel ideas…
The US towns that are known for their outdoor vibes, cheap flights to Europe (starting at $227…), and I’ll talk about the Camino de Santiago all day, any day. Here are 9 other pilgrimages around the world.
The first in an ongoing series of “interesting ways to travel.” Want to travel without paying for a hotel? Look into People Like Us, a home exchange platform with global home exchange opportunities.
something that blows my mind…
When we travel, my husband and I like to find a spot we like and become “temporary regulars” there - whether it’s for two mornings or a week. One such spot is La 28 Cantabria, a cafe in Madrid. On one of our visits, I decided to take a pic and give them a Google review. I continue to get updates ~ that quick pic has over 20,000 views. Who knew! What a great way to support your favorite local biz!
new ideas for a healthy life…
Here’s a genius idea…