No Mean Reds for Me!
by habituallychic
12 . 08 . 08
I want to thank everyone for the wonderful emails and comments today! Your support and encouragement are helping me get through this scary time. I think I would be much more nervous if I didn’t have the blog and all the connections that I have made from it. I am confident that things will work out for the best and definitely plan to make the most of new found time.
My first day at home has made me realize that there are actually some benefits to being unemployed such as…not having to leave your cozy apartment on the coldest day of the year. It only got to 28 degrees today! (I did actually go out later but just to pick up more diet coke!) You can stay in your robe and pajamas all day if you want to. (I don’t plan on making this a habit but it was fabulous for one day! Don’t worry, I got dressed to go to the store.) You spend less money by making your own lunch than you would buying it at City Bakery. (Sliced roast beef on arugula with shaved Parmesan cheese. Don’t mind if I do.) You have lots of time to work out. (You actually have to motivate yourself exercise though which might be a problem.) You have time to make holiday treats, decorate and write out your Christmas cards. (You just have to make sure you give away more sweets than you sample!) And best of all, you also have more time to blog!
It was getting too hard to juggle everything with my day job so I am looking forward to having more time to put together more in depth, interesting and original posts. I also had someone contact me today about guest blogging for them. Things are definitely looking up!
32 Comments
Heather . . . I can’t believe that. These things are always meant to be. You’re just too talented something way better will come along that will just be perfect for you.
The bottom line is that this economy sucks. I have a lot of hope, and there’s nowhere to go but up. Best of luck to you!
With the apparent passion and enthusiasm that you have -along with your great taste and style, how can you go wrong?
Good luck!
Keep your positive attitude going! I was downsized in 2004 from a job of almost 8 years. It was difficult at first (shoot, I didn’t even remember how to interview), but I landed at a company that is wonderful! My boss makes me wonder why I even stayed with the other company for so long, he is honest, caring, respectful of others and is always looking to share the credit for our companies success. Keep your chin up and your resume out!
Heather:
Having just gone through these initial stages a little over a year ago- I can honestly say that things do happen as they should and should you not pay attention – they still manage to force the same outcome- just a few months later 🙂 What I have learned is that this “down” time is the perfect opportunity to rediscover old passions and re-evaluate things that may not have been working for you. Its al so crazy, but I say if you go for what you want then not matter what – you win in the end:)
I’m glad you’re feeling good about things. You have too much talent & passion to not be completely happy in your job. Figure out what it is that makes you happy on a daily basis & go for it 🙂
It is hard not to feel like a deer in headlights right now. Walk forward and be ever hopeful that things are going to look up. They will, they always do. You are
a stylish young women living in New York City… go girl go.
mb
when one door closes another one opens! You are a very talented and passionate designer and this blog is the perfect resume! I wish i could get you to turn my house into a beautiful oasis! (I am in Sydney, Australia so it might be a bit far!!)
Good luck and enjoy your christmas
Heather, You’re gonna make it! One quick tip…get off the Diet Coke and get on mineral water.. or some carbonated what we call “fizzy water”..no chemicals..and pure hydration!!
You’re going to be fine!! Trust US!! 🙂
Thanks again everyone! I know it will all work out mostly because I am going to make it work out! There will be no sitting around eating bon bons for me! Well, maybe a little candy but just to keep me going 😉
Ivy Lane – it’s so funny that you suggested cutting out the Diet Coke. I actually thought about it today and am definitely going to try cutting down. I even bought fresh limes for lemon water but don’t know how many big changes I can have in my life at one time! I will give it my best try though! Maybe I can try some Pellegrino and lime too! Thanks for looking out for me!
I have enjoyed your writings for some time now and just KNOW that everything will work out. I love your attitude…..I, along with many others, will be thinking great thoughts for you. Best, Michael
Hi Heather,
I really like your blog- sorry you lost your day job, always a bit scary. I’m a stylist- been doing it forever- let me know if you would like some insight into how to break into the biz.
Best of luck! Shannon
See, there you go! One step at a time, and things will definitely be looking up before you know it!
“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.” Isak Dinesen
Looking forward to your posts!
Good luck.
Heather,
Wow, I am truly sorry to hear about the job situation. I have been following your blog for a very good while now, but i’ve never really commented. (i always love it. i’m just a silent viewer!) The past two posts have hit especially close to me. I am a young (27 is young, right? still? haha) interior designer from Nashville. I completed my design degree in 2007 and started working at a local showroom. Once the housing market started really hitting TN late in 2007 we really felt the effects. I was SO busy one day and then the next- nothing! I left on my own this past August because things were heading right for the dumps at that place. I made up my mind it was time to go to wok for a firm anyway, and I had the added fortune of working for my father (non-design related) till I found something else.
Anyway, I have experienced the long hard road of finding your place among the design world in this economy first hand. I am still looking, but I too hope things are going to turn around. Honestly this area is bone dry. Do you have a degree in design or NCIDQ or something? I am just curious because i find the IIDA and AIA.org career searches a good place to look. Especially for NY. I have thought about applying for a few openings in NY, but being out of state I have heard that is a hard door to open. (Love the city though! Was there this past summer.)
I’m always willing to share any leads I see, so if I run across something in your area I will post it to you. 🙂
Anyway, just wanted to offer my support to a fellow designer. You’re super talented, girl! It will happen.
-Jessi
Discovered your blog via Life at Home…just want to wish you good luck with your career. So sorry to hear of your job loss.
I just love reading your blog! My daughter and I have had so much fun over at the Maison 24 site and we have you to thank. While I hate that you are out a regular paycheck we are pulling for you down in Winter Park FL to enjoy something bigger and better. Enjoy your time as best you can, it won’t last long. Dont forget to post ad rates when you get a chance!
heather i love your blog, but i now have a new slant on the darn thing since you posted pictures of my beloved ‘miss go rightwee’..i am reading your words with an audrey hepburn accent! your talent hasn’t even been tapped dearheart. kathi
goodmorning, things are looking up!
my blog has saved me as well.
and it good is a way to re-affirm (sp?)your talents.
… and you have ’em babe !
i am so happy that you are getting all the love and support that you needed.
one door closes,
and a better one will open.
…it just sucks in the hallway.
big hug to you , if you need one.
renee
Good luck on your journey! Everything is going to be okay!! Stay positive.
I just sent you an email. Everyone is right – this is an opportunity for you to start doing some things that you are really passionate about. Sometimes the consequences of life have to push us in that direction. I know I am not the one who has to pay your rent, but I am actually excited for you because you have so much potential. Your most marketable commodity is not your knowledge of design and all of your connections, but what a genuine person you are and how it is so evident to everyone who reads you.
I’m not worried about you at all–with this blog as your resume, there’s no place but up.
(LOVE the glittery phone in that photo! Too funny.)
You’re a talented woman and I know whatever happens you will succeed.
I just watched Breckfast at Tiffany’s last week. I am glad no mean reds for you.
You haven’t mentioned unemployment. If you are eligible, go for it! Don’t wait! My spouse just hit layoff #8(manufacturing sucks) when his job was sent off to China.
I’m a huge fan of pelligrino with lime or lime syrup. Yum yum. Add a bit of mint and you have a fake mohito. Add some rum and you have a real one! LOL.
Sorry to hear about your layoff, I I feel even sorry-er for the firm that let you go. It won’t take long for your talents to be discovered by someone else. You have too much to offer. We should all go work for you. Holly would just spray on some “L’interdit perfume and put on her most fab oversized black sunglasses and hit the pavement.
sorry to hear about your job situation but I do agree that you have a chance to completely make a new and fresh start.
Good luck and in the mean time, enjoy movies, projects and home things 🙂
good luck!
Solange
Heather,
Your blog is such an inspiration to many of us. Try not to worry too much (of course you have bills, rent, etc…)but I do certainly hope that you will be able to find work that you will love.
Happy Holidays to both you and your family, Laura
H.C., I will not be saying anything that hasn’t already been said, but you will be just fine! You have talent and panache to spare!! If this is the right time for you to take that leap into hanging your own shingle, or something else along those lines, I hope you will do so! You have a legion of fans who will be ready to support you in whatever way we can!
I must also ditto Ivy Lane in asking you to please, please stop with the diet coke (or any other soft drink for that matter). That stuff is liquid poison…so, so bad for you! ( As a former diet coke addict, I could tell you stories…)
Heather,
We’ve all been here. It was simply the right time for you to move on.
Just keep your faith in yourself and the path you’ve chosen, and it will all work out in the end.
P.S. I’ve always preferred the silver in Christmas decorations to the green and red myself.
Bit of a lark …. but how about trying out
for HGTV’s Design Star?
H.C. – I just finished up a 7 month stint of unemployment myself. The design field is very bad right now – I was very lucky to get a good job with a good company here in Midtown Manhattan. The type of work we do isn’t exactly glamourous, but in these tough times you can’t be picky. A few things I learned from my time off the job market:
1. Keep a positive attitude. One phone call the very next day could turn everything around.
2. Having no income forces you to spend smart – do it long enough and you’ll create a habit you keep up even when you are earning money again. Even though I’ve got steady paychecks now, every item I purchase must be “soul-stirring” to make the cut.
3. You are not in it alone – when so many people are struggling in an economy like this, it’s comforting to know you’re not the only one eating Ramen every night.
Good luck!
Things will work out for the best! Put on a little Frank Sinatra (“That’s Life”), grab a glass of red wine, do a little jig and workout tomorrow morning regardless of the weather.
And know that there are a great many of us looking forward to your next post and your next success!