Funemployment

I wasn’t sure if I would ever pop on here again, but here I am.

Funemployment is a term that has risen in the past few years to refer to the unemployed time frame for people who choose to enjoy it.

I’m over here still trying to find the fun part.

Kidding, kinda.

Of course, it’s nice to sleep in and see where the day takes me. But, I miss a steady paycheck, and even more so the fulfillment I have had when working. 

A popular question has been asking me what it’s like to be back ‘home’. (Avid blog readers will know that home is a bigger word for me nowadays.) But, I’ve responded that it’s like putting on a pair of jeans for the first time after wearing shorts for months, or wearing heels after wearing trainers. Everything fits, but it just feels weird for a bit. There’s an adjustment period to get your body used to those things again.

Coming back to Texas has felt like that. In so many ways, I don’t feel different, but I know I am after the past year of experiences. Similarly, the people and places have also grown and changed while I was gone. Which, duh, that’s the whole circle of life thing, but it still is weird to feel like a stranger in your hometown. 

In many ways, I feel like we’re all getting to know one another again. Which can be weird for friendships that you’ve had for ages. But there’s still something beautiful about that. Having friends that can survive those periods of growth, it’s really special.

I restarted the job hunt after New Years’ and have spent so many hours filing out applications, getting rejected, interviewing, waiting, and so on. It’s a grueling process. Luckily, I do have a few leads, and maybe just maybe an offer will arise soon. Weirdly, I am ready to get back to work. 

This girl misses space and working towards the literal lofty goals the industry has. Did y’all see that Intuitive Machines landed on the MOON?!

In the mean time, I’ve filled my free time reliving my Ecoteen days. Working at the Houston Museum of Natural Science - helping with random projects, or teaching kids about science. It’s been fun to tap into that part of myself again, and I’m forever grateful to that place. 

So many people have told me to enjoy this period of funemployment because it won’t last. That I should enjoy the break while I have it. Inherently, I get it, and agree. It can just be difficult to not feel stressed all the time when you don’t feel like you’re making traction and moving forward.

“you can’t be everything you want to be before your time” 

-Vienna, Billy Joel

I am constantly reminding myself to be patient. The right opportunity is out there and worth waiting for. Honestly, the waiting has been beneficial for me. It’s given me the space to really refine what I’m looking for and have a way to (hopefully) communicate that better to potential employers. Most importantly, it’s helped me realize that it’s okay to ask for what I want and say no when a company can’t provide that.

It’s a new and weird mindset for me.

Funemployment has been a weird season of life but still a precious one. 

The Emerge crew has reunited for happy hours and they have all been so lovely trying to help me with my job hunt. 

Living the best Htown life possible with Jessica.

“Ecoteening” again with fellow coordinators.

Reconnecting with my favourite Aggie and fellow Lefty, Camille, as we read the Bible together this calendar year.

Reinstating Covid game nights with Hannah, Navin, and Pranav.

Catching up with the Denver crew when out there for interviews.

Seeing half of my best guy pals from college more frequently.

Spending quality time with my sweet pup and parents.

So yes, the pair of jeans are tight right now, but they’re slowly stretching out and starting to feel the way they once did.

I haven’t a clue where I am going to end up. It’s unnerving. But, there are worse ways to go through this life chapter.

I’m a work still in progress.