What's your story?

“What’s your story?”

Someone asked me that question recently and I think my response scared him off.😂

I started from the very beginning: separated parents, impossible-to-draw family tree, fear of hellfire, appreciation, and liberation from the expectations of society…

In retrospect, I concluded yet again that I can be so damn awkward.😆 I think he just wanted to know where I’m at in life and career. Oops!

He should’ve been more specific.🙄 Because I’m countless stories!

I was a Catholic schoolgirl with separated but loving parents; complex but wonderfully colorful families. I was a silent, can’t-speak-Filipino-well, couldn’t-make-friends-at-badminton-training kid. I was a totally unstylish, kengkoy teen. The wackiest Myx VJ ever. Traveling saleswoman. Team Bam fanatic. Filipina in Donostia. And all the stories, anecdotes, wins and loses, drunken nights, and pensive moments in between.

Today? I’m a content strategist that just got laid off from an artificial intelligence start-up in her late 30s. Yup. That just happened.😳

My Unemployment Story

I can’t say it was a shock; there have been waves in the past. I can’t say it was expected either; I felt like a highly valued member of the team—and still do.

What I can say is that I was sort-of-kinda-hoping for it.

Though I’m not gonna lie. It was tough to hear and I cried a bit. But it isn’t anything a lovely day at the beach and calls with comrades can’t fix! I’ve lost too many sunny mornings indoors for work and was lucky enough to have a clear, beautiful day as soon as I was out of a job. Hay buhay…

Don’t worry! While I always appreciate hugs and “How are you?” messages, I’m genuinely feeling good. I do detest the legal and administrative paperwork. Boo. And I need to process my whole employee experience to learn and progress. (If you want to help me with that, let me know!)

Financially, I’ll be on paro, which is the unemployment benefit allowance you earn (and contribute to) while employed. It will be the first time I’ll receive a monthly allowance for getting my life together, job hunting, and connecting with you.🤯 Not bad, Spain.😅

Emotionally, I’m mas o menos filled with appreciation. This was the first team I joined since moving here and colleagues have turned to true friends. I’ve learned a ton about work systems (I love sprints and the Agile method!). And I even got to interview absolutely amazing People+Culture leaders for the company’s podcast.

If I reach out to you to grab a convo for my budding podcast, I hope you say yes!

It’s the red tape that’s really bogging me down.😩

Perfect Timing

What are the chances that I launch this newsletter and gear up for my personal podcast right before I join el club de desempleo? Writing is a form of therapy and having this to run to is a big help to flow through my thoughts and feels.

Another source of comfort? Conversations with my peeps i.e. you. Time for a quick connection update!

Got to talk to my sister again today but didn’t record it.😜 We will again soon. And if I reach out to you to grab a convo for my budding podcast, I hope you say yes!

Tita Pam sent me a comment for my last post that touched my heart plus made me laugh. (Love you!) And I randomly called Norman for a quick catch-up.

Lots of little connection wins incentivized by this little project of mine. Yay!

Have you seen…

Oppenheimer? Barbie? I want to know what you think!

I don’t really get to watch movies in a theater anymore but these plans came up. Caught Oppenheimer in English and Barbie in Spanish. WAH! Were jokes lost in translation?🥴 Let’s talk!

Thanks for reading!❤️ Do we have common friends or fam that might want to see this? It’s public so feel free to share. - Janine

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janinayramirez.substack.com