Spilling Coffee, Learning Lessons
Working remotely at Rare Disease Research LLC is teaching me how to be a self-starter, but it can be tricky — and sometimes lonely. Luckily, my mom, a brand strategist, is there to review decks and notes when I need a second opinion. While I figure it all out, my dog Roxy keeps me company, cheering me on as I drink my morning coffee in bed.
Mistakes are part of the process, and I’ve had my fair share — like a recent screw-up learning new company software. But every new job comes with stumbles until you settle into a rhythm. Being a contract worker is a good fit for now. It lets me focus on my blog, which drops every Sunday at 10:30 AM, and work on my new website — which you’re reading right now. Plus, I can finally pull my resources together to get the podcast back up and running this summer.
My interview game got pretty sharp during my job search. A few months ago, my whiteboard was blank — then suddenly, I had five interviews lined up. I drafted notes, practiced in the mirror, and rehearsed my answer to “Tell me about yourself and why you want this job” like it was a stand-up routine. I couldn’t help but feel like Eddie Murphy in Dolemite — standing in the mirror, running lines: “A lion stepped on the signified monkey’s feet. Dolemite is my name and fucking up motherfuckers is my game!” Except, you know, without the expletives. I wove in clever anecdotes, like how my search for the best coffee, teas, and cheeses is research, and how my love for medical anthropology books makes me a natural fit for healthcare PR.
Living at home has its perks. My brother — the chef — is here for a short visit on his one day off. He’s buried in a behemoth of a book about a London restaurant he hopes to work at if his restaurant trial goes well. It’s a farm-to-table spot that uses all parts of the animal, which sounds resourceful but also a little intense. My dad joked they might serve pig noses with cornichons sticking out of the nostrils.
At work, I got some tough but fair feedback from my boss. He’s great — direct but pushes me to grow. I took it too personally and ended up staying in all weekend, overthinking, while my parents danced their asses off at a local nightclub with a killer dj. Anxiety got the best of me, but next time, I’ll pick the dancing. I need to celebrate the fact that I’m employed and the learning curve is steep.
These days, I’m investing in books about PR instead of silly things — like cannabis or another Zara jacket to add to my collection. My cannabis-free meetings are going well, but it’s strange hearing people casually mention morning drinking. Not long ago, my morning drink was more of a wake-and-bake. Now, I’m learning what can happen when you’re not careful. At my group meetings, we do breathing exercises, talk about what’s on our minds, and exchange contact info. The Common Collab in Great Barrington is a welcoming space — one that helps me shift my relationship with cannabis without feeling like I’m in AA.
And, speaking of new things... I’ve been giving JDate a shot. Yes, I’m putting myself out there! Honestly, I’ve been ghosted so many times while rolling around in my wheelchair that I’m starting to think it’s my wheels they’re afraid of. But hey, I’m still trying. Who knows — my sarcastic take on Passover, and the fact that I sing “Die, die, anu” during Dayenu in a very Woody Allen meets Seth Rogen style, might just land me a partner. If nothing else, it’s bound to get a laugh, right?
One coffee, one LinkedIn post, one small win at a time—I’m figuring it out.
