The high of my week was the camaraderie I felt from the colleagues who still remain in my research group. Our office suite has been seriously cleared out, so we, who are still there, have taken comfort in each other’s company this week. We even went to another spontaneous Happy Hour on Wednesday. (I haven’t been to so many Happy Hours in years!)
The low of my week was yet more stressful things coming down the pipe at work. I can’t go into all the details, but even though so many people already “voluntarily” quit in recent weeks, they’re still preparing for a RIF (Reduction in Force) to cut more people. We were asked this week to write an updated resumé to justify our current positions, not knowing how they will use this information against us.
A podcast episode I recommend is “The Emergency is here” on The Ezra Klein Show. Ezra has great interview guests every week, and his podcast episodes always give me a lot to think about.
An Instagram account that I think is worth your time is Unlearn16. Joanna is Canadian and, according to her podcast bio, a teacher with a sarcastic wit who has a passion for debate and discussion spanning the political, social, and pop culture spectrums. She’s hilarious, and you should check her out. She’s also on TikTok (which I am not), has a podcast, and YouTube channel, if that’s more your thing.
The best money I spent was way too many dollars (but totally worth it!) on a flight home in June to attend my cousin’s wedding. To say that I am stoked is an understatement. After everything that has been happening so far this year, I need something to look forward to, and I am really looking forward to hugging (and celebrating) my family!
My plans this weekend include rewriting my resumé (not what I want to be doing). I also hope to get outside for a run/walk (although it will be a little cool and overcast this weekend), and I will participate in my 11th PeloFondo, a live virtual event for both indoor and outdoor cyclists. I look forward to logging miles and riding together with my Peloton friends!
Do you have weekend plans?
J
April 25, 2025 at 10:46 pmOh San, your work situation sounds SO stressful right now, I’m so sorry. When this kind of shit happens at companies I have worked for, it all feels very arbitrary and like you don’t know how anyone makes the decisions that they make. This sounds that way to me. Hang in there. Or get out.
I’m glad that you went to Happy Hour with your colleagues, that can be really therapeutic. And YAY to something to look forward to! A trip home is JUST what you will need.
I listened to that podcast too, it was really good and also scary. Lots to think about for sure.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
April 26, 2025 at 1:22 amOh San, I am so so sorry work is such sh*tshow right now. How frustrating. I am hoping things will look up rather sooner than later. It sucks to have to write resumés when you really don’t want to. Would you want to stay when you are the “lucky” one? But I guess it would be hard to find any other work where you live, right?
I am so happy to read you will be heading home for a wedding. I bet that is something you really do look forward to in this hard and tough year of yours. You deserve every hug this year three times over.
Anne
April 26, 2025 at 3:16 amI am SO glad to hear that you will have time with your family this summer. You need and deserve all the hugs and good times that you can get. It seems to be the only way to counteract the destruction of our country. (Dark, but honestly, I can’t think of another way to describe it.)
I’m glad that you and your colleagues are banding together and giving each other support. I am so, so sorry about the RIF. How much more can they gut these important agencies? And they keep screwing up. Royally. Your work is valuable -I know you know that, and I hope that others see that, too.
“Enjoy” your Pelofondo and virtual time with friends this weekend. I’m glad you will have the escape from daily life. Hugs, my friend. <3
Birchie
April 26, 2025 at 4:52 amWhen I had Werk Drama back in 2021, my coworkers and I kept each other sane. We were the only ones who knew what we were going through, and that group text was a lifeline. I’m in favor of always having an updated resume, but I’m also in favor of doing it by choice.
My plans this weekend include being away from the house as much as possible today since it will be overrun with Boy Scouts, and hiking.
Michelle G.
April 26, 2025 at 6:10 amYour work situation sounds so stressful. All this drama can’t be good for morale. I’m glad you have a trip home to look forward to. Hang in there, San!
Nicole MacPherson
April 26, 2025 at 6:34 amAN UPDATED RESUME??? San. San! This is insanity. I am so sorry, your work is so stressful right now. You were so smart to book a trip home to celebrate your cousin, because wow, something lovely like that to look forward to is what you need. Ugh, so sorry, friend. This whole thing is a nightmare.
Lisa’s Yarns
April 26, 2025 at 6:53 amUgh the punches just keep coming for you at work. That is so very hard. I wish there was more stability and clarity. We spend a lot of hours at work so when it’s stressful, it really impacts our lives. I hate that you have to defend your worth at work. But I am glad you have a trip home to look forward to!!
Ernie
April 26, 2025 at 9:17 amHooray for your cousin’s wedding. I’m so happy that you are going to attend. That sounds like just the right thing for you. Your happy hour attendance sounds like a social delight. I’m glad for the camaraderie, but sorry about the continued RIF stress.
I’m in Milwaukee with Curly for a basketball tournament. I’m enjoying a peaceful hotel room. Curly’s off with her friends and doesn’t play again until 2. I went for a run this morning, despite the chilly weather. low 40s. Plus I slept amazing last night. 9.5 hours. Long overdue. I enjoy the other parents on Curly’s team, so I am always happy to hang out with them at her games. Good luck with your resume writing. I don’t envy you, but I’m sure yours will be great.
Elisabeth
April 26, 2025 at 10:39 amA trip home for a joyous celebration sounds wonderful. I hope it is restorative.
I mean…I just don’t know what to say about the world at this point. I’m sorry and this truly sucks <3
Kim
April 27, 2025 at 2:48 pmUgh, and federal resumes are the worst to update. I’m sorry you have to do that, and spend your weekend doing it :(
Really excited to hear you are going to your cousin’s wedding though! It’ll be so nice to have that to look forward to.
Stephany
April 27, 2025 at 5:25 pmI can’t even believe you have to submit an updated resume. That’s so shitty. I’m sorry, friend. It just keeps getting worse, doesn’t it? I hope you are able to commiserate about it all with your colleagues. Nobody quite understands what you’re going through like them. <3
NGS
April 28, 2025 at 8:40 amUgh. I’m sorry, friend. The work stuff is brutal. If you want someone to take a look at your resume and/or cover letter, feel free to send it along.
But yay for some planned family time!!