It feels so... weird.
For years, I taught Minnie not to go anywhere with a stranger, and now I’m swiping right to gooutwith one? On purpose?
My phone pings, and a message pops up on the screen.
Rob has hearted your profile.
“Uh. Okay, Rob.”
What am I supposed to do now? Like his profile back?
I click on his photo.
Rob—late 40s, looking for adventure
Outdoor enthusiast
I frown. Outdoor enthusiast?
A message pops up on the screen.
Rob: Hi Claire! You’re gorgeous! We should go out and see if we have anything in common! I can promise our date won’t be boring!??
So! Many! Exclamation points!
Without responding, I click the phone off and tuck it away. I’ll think about that later.
Today, I have other plans.
Today, I’m going to go find a job.
It’s number one on my list, and I haven’t really thought about it yet.
Selling the house set me up to be able to do what I’m doing—but not forever. Plus, I’m not naive enough to think that I can just live off that with no income. It’d be gone in six months.
I need to find something. Something for me. Something that fits like a glove.
I always thought I’d end up in advertising, like John. However, my creativity, he reasoned, would be put to better use planning charity functions and dinners, serving on boards, and doing anything I could to keep myself busy. And I was good at those things, even if they weren’t what I’d originally planned—or wanted—to do.
Maybe that’s where I’ll start.
Last night, MingHin’s Dim sum and I searched the job sites for ideas. While I do have a degree in communications, the last time I had a paying job I was in college working at the library.
It seems everything about my degree is outdated as well.
When I was in school, social media marketing was not a thing. Heck, social media wasn’t a thing.
I’d been a sounding board for John and had even been a frequent idea generator for some of his most successful ad campaigns, but I can hardly put “helped my husband come up with ideas” on my résumé. And while a younger version of me romanticized the idea of taking control of a room full of ad execs in my slick black power suit, that life doesn’t appeal to me anymore.
Who do I want to be?And shouldn’t I know this by now?
I won’t figure it all out today. I’m determined not to let anything deter me. For now, I just need a job.
I made a list of places within walking distance, and I’m starting with those first. Walking to work, at least in nice weather, sounds sort of dreamy. And very much a perk of living in the city.
I drove everywhere in Colorado. Things were spread out, making walking anywhere nearly impossible.
I get dressed—a simple pair of black chinos with a lightweight sweater and a black jacket that hits me at mid-thigh. One of thebenefits of having wealthy friends all these years is that one of them, Dana, taught me how to accessorize. Never mind that I don’t live a wealthy life anymore—I can still look put together. At least until everything I own goes out of style. Claire 2.0 is a little more casual than Colorado Claire, and I think I like it.
