Several things had to happen for me to end up where I am sitting right now—in a ballroom at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, watching Reese Witherspoon give the keynote speech at a conference for a global AI software company, Meltwater.
To start, I am newly freelance, having been abruptly furloughed with the rest of my coworkers by the agency that I had worked at for nearly 4 years. Being forced to adapt is different than choosing to adapt, yet I might argue that being forced is more powerful. You have to change, you have to keep going, you have to get in touch with your inner hustler to figure out what the next steps will be. And take them.
They say that growth often happens through discomfort. It’s not often glamorous, or accompanied by a catchy song and a montage (I wish…). It’s not often a straight path forward. More often, it’s two steps forward, several steps back, two steps to the side, one hop, one skip, one jump.
Step Aside Imposter Syndrome
So, how do you navigate losing your stability, a.k.a your job and your salary, as a nearly 40-year-old woman with two kids in daycare, a home, a desire to travel and explore, and a strong need to feel financially stable in an ever more unstable [political, economical, environmental] climate?
This was unplanned, this was confusing, this was a blow to my confidence and self-esteem in a relatively new career chapter as a writer that I took a leap to pursue. Despite that, I consider myself fortunate—I have insurance, I can claim temporary unemployment checks through the state, and I was able to pounce on a part-time SEO writing gig to float me through the scary first weeks and beyond.
There isn’t time to wallow in despair or hopelessness, at least not for me. There is only moving forward, connecting, networking, hopping, skipping, jumping.
I joined a networking group, the Palette Community. I met other women who had created their own businesses, who were creative, inspiring, and powerful. I applied to job, after job, after job. I waited for email responses. I was ghosted. I learned more about what I was looking for, and what I wasn’t.
I had to put preconceived notions of previous titles I had held aside and present myself as I was now, traversing an intimidating landscape as a freelancer, finding myself in a fierce competition for work with… robots. Yet, I realized that I might have to become friends with AI instead of fighting so valiantly against it.
“‘This is Me…Now’—J.Lo”—Michele Vidarte
So here we are. Fast-forward three months, to the conference room I am sitting in now, learning how said robots and/or AI can help marketers, can collaborate with us, can be used as a tool, not just a crutch or an enemy (for now). All in all, the challenges are real…but so are the opportunities.
OK, OK, you see probably where this is going, and I’m here for it. Yes, Reese Witherspoon, I am a woman with main character energy, and I will continue to save myself, thank you (raised fist)!
If you find yourself in a situation similar to mine, whether it’s a layoff, career pivot, whatever—let me encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, reach out to people, yell from the rooftops, use your trial to ignite a fire. While there is still a great amount of unknown for me and my current career path, what is known is that I am not an imposter, I am worthy, and I will figure it out. Stay tuned…
Sidenote: the first mini-session I attended was entitled, “It’s Giving Brainrot,” a session focused on the absurdity of online culture and how it is connecting us and brands in ways we never imagined (think: brat, rizz, demure). I felt seen.
—Like what I’ve written? Give me a thumbs up or a clap below. Thank you!—
Michele Vidarte 