Hey, hey, hey!
If you don't remember signing up for this newsletter, I don't blame you. At the beginning of the year, I had a vision for this newsletter project. But since then, the vision has changed. I could talk about it in detail why that is, but I don't think it's that important right now. What's more important is... OMG, I'm finally giving you an update! And.. I've written something! I've been in a slump with written work for several weeks now.
Let’s play a bit of catch-up.
Quitting my previous workplace
In mid-July, I gave my previous boss my 2 weeks' notice. It was bittersweet.
After all, it was the company that I moved down to San Francisco for.
My first Silicon Valley job. My first time living on my own and going through a bunch of shit on my own. Both experiences ran parallel. Both experiences were vital to my growth these past couple of years.
When I gave my notice, I didn't feel as sad as I thought. There wasn't anything that tugged at my heart to make me think I was making the wrong move. Two factors that contributed to this feeling:
The alone-in-my-thoughts moments this past year during quarantine shed light on what kind of products I want to work on next.
Lots of changes. A big reason why I didn't feel that tug at my heart when I made the decision was that many of the people I enjoyed working with were no longer at the company. Though I still enjoyed interacting with the remaining colleagues, the spark wasn't there.
The opportunity fell into my inbox, and I knew it would be the right move.
Talking to internet strangers helped me ace my interviews
...and a couple more years of experience on the job.
A few years ago, job interviews made me feel anxious as heck.
I made it a point to wear my one black sweater to cover up the sweat stains from my cold and clammy armpits. My mouth would be as dry as a desert during the interview. So dry that I could hear the loud slapping of my tongue or whatever noise it is that the mouth makes.
There was a clear lack of confidence.
This year, I ended each interview call knowing that I did pretty darn well.
The cold sweats and dry mouth had been dialled down. I felt comfortable chatting away with the interviewers. My questions to them came out organically as I listened to them talk.
Interviews are just chats between two (or more) people. Two (or more) strangers. And that right there is something that I've had lots of practice with earlier this year.
I've been using Twitter to reach out and connect to strangers. The back and forth DM's would eventually progress to a "Hey, let's schedule a Zoom call!". I did a bunch of these calls with people who were strangers, who are now internet friends.
As much of an introvert as I am, I fucking love making internet friends. A friend told me that I’m a good Internet Extrovert. Will wear that badge proudly.
Sidenote: One of my Twitter friends told me they heard I'm a great person to reach out to 😭. I found that I am perceived as a likeable person! I knew this already, but...external validation. I'll take it.
A quick list of other updates:
💪 Working with a coach and training towards my very first push-up. Ya girl ‘bout to see some gainz.
👩🏻🎨 Thinking about my art and how I want to grow as an artist.
🛫 Short trip to Canada and a trip to Disneyland coming up very soon!
Some helpful links:
💰 Started following and consuming Amanda Holden's content. Currently going through her Invested Development course. The more I know about financial literacy, the better.
🦢 3-minute neck mobility exercises that I try to do every day. Protect ya neck!
That’s all I got for now.
See you soon,
Mary 💖
P.S. I'm still making my rounds snail-mailing out a little bit of art to some of you! 🐌 📫
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