Letters from Tammy Strobel is a free weekly newsletter about creativity and curiosity, funded through Buy Me a Coffee.
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Hi friends,
Here's a brief list of what I've been doing and reflecting on recently:
1.) The Job Search
A few months ago, I wrote about my interest in the UX field. After researching jobs in the profession, I felt certain that I’d found my new career path. So, I enrolled in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate program to learn more. I completed three courses in the program, and I learned a lot! For example, I enjoyed learning about design sprints, competitive audits, and how to design a UX portfolio. I also enjoyed their review of qualitative and quantitative research.
I have a lot of respect for folks in the UX field, and I realized UX isn’t the career path for me. At least not right now. Talking to a career coach, chatting with UX professionals, and journaling about what I want in a job helped me gain clarity. So, onward I go with my job search and writing on the side! Rejections are a bummer, and I’m trying to have fun with the process.
My job search would be much more stressful without my husband’s financial and emotional support. When I feel bad about my tiny income streams, Logan reminds me that I supported him during his Ph.D. program and when he was unemployed. Logan is an excellent cheerleader! I’m grateful we get to do “adulting” together.
2.) Volunteering
Recently, I attended a volunteer meet and greet with Enloe Medical Center—our regional hospital. The event was informative, and it was fun to learn about Enloe’s volunteer program. I also enjoyed meeting fellow community members. I am going to submit my volunteer application soon. Hopefully, they will accept me!
In short, I’m trying to engage in more prosocial behaviors like volunteering. It’s a wonderful way to boost my wellbeing and help others, too.
3.) COVID-19 Bivalent Booster and Flu shots
Last week, I got my COVID-19 Bivalent Booster and Flu shots. The side effects kicked my butt for a few days. But I’ll take it. I haven’t gotten COVID (yet), and I’m not interested in getting the flu. I will do what I can to prevent getting sick. Also, I don’t want to get other people sick.
While I recovered, I watched Ursula the Cat “hunt” for squirrels and birds. She runs from window to window in our apartment chasing outside critters. She puts on a good show for us! I'm glad Ursula is an inside-only cat because she'd get into a lot of trouble outside.
Good Links
With that, here’s what I enjoyed reading and listening to this week:
1.) Sarah Von Bargen and Nicole Antoinette’s conversation was helpful. They talked about leaving the Internet, money, career changes, and more. Listening to Sarah’s story made me feel less alone.
2.) “50 ways to be ridiculously generous—and feel ridiculously good” by Alexandra Franzen is an article filled with clever ideas. I will refer to it in the future.
3.) “It's official: I have ADHD and life now feels differently the same” by Susannah Conway is a vulnerable essay about being diagnosed with ADHD.
4.) “A 95-Square-Foot Tokyo Apartment” by Hikari Hida reminded me of our tiny house days.
5.) RIP Angela Lansbury. The New York Times “sat down with Angela Lansbury in 2010 to discuss her life and accomplishments on the stage and screen. She spoke with us with the understanding the interview would be published only after her death.” Watch and read.
Thank you!
I know there is plenty to read, watch, and listen to online, and I'm appreciative of your readership and support.
All the gratitude goes to: Eva, Susan, Maryann, and JoAnn for the coffees and kind words!
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With gratitude,
Tammy Strobel