Not As They Seem
Happy Labor Day!
We hope everyone’s staying healthy and safe, especially friends in the Bay Area who have recently had to deal with fires and ashy air. Apologies for the recent lack of updates; we just got back from a much-needed two and half weeks exploring and visiting family in Southern California. We also spent that time starting what we call—please forgive the corniness—our “2020 Vision Summit” (We know, gag, right? Works for us though!), where we reflected on the last six months, aligned on our priorities as a couple, and planned for what’s up ahead.
Food for Thought
We’ve learned a lot of lessons in the last year and a half or so. Two stood out in a season where we’re mostly nomadic and purposefully unemployed:
First, we realized that we haven’t lived in a place we could call our own since we moved out of our apartment in Cambridge almost eighteen months ago. But not having a lease didn’t mean that we were homeless. Family and friends (thanks Maryam and Shaobo!) generously put us up for stretches during this time. Even better, this extended period of “flexible living arrangements” taught us to look beyond living spaces for a sense of rootedness: people were there for us along the way, and it made our lives homefull.
We also haven’t had conventional jobs since we started our sabbatical seven months ago. Even so, both of us have felt more fulfilled because each of us has invested in something that we care about outside of traditional careers: Jen is creating a dance and leadership development program for underserved girls at Because Justice Matters, and Jay has found the most exhilarating learning experience of his life at Launch School. We’re starting to ramp up our job searches—and we’re hopeful we can find opportunities that excite us—and we’re encouraged knowing that we have wells of energy to draw from regardless.
These reflections reminded us that:
Home can be anywhere the people you love are. People make a home, a place where you feel you belong. We’re lucky to feel at home wherever we’re with each other (we know, 🤢), but we’re also lucky to have friends in so many different places—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Manila, you name it!—who have given us a sense of place and belonging. We want to be a source of that feeling for others as well.
A job isn’t the only source of purpose. Most people aren’t lucky enough to work at a job that completely fulfills them. But it’s totally possible to find something that gives you meaning even if your current work doesn’t. Maybe it’s volunteer work. Maybe it’s being a good parent, spouse, sibling, or friend. Maybe it’s learning something new. What you do for a living is only part of who you are, and you have something to offer the world outside of your 9-5. Be proud of that, and lean into it.
Shoutouts
🎂 Happiest of birthdays to Ben, Alex, and Altaf! May the next year be full of exciting, unchartered territory in every way.
Better Together
Feel like you need someone to talk to, or to just send good vibes your way? Whatever way you’re feeling, we encourage you to fill out our weekly connection card (anonymously, if you prefer) so we can keep you and your loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. We read every submission, and reach out to connect when it’s appropriate. Or you can feel free to reach out to us directly by replying to this email (or texting one of us, or whatever medium you prefer). We can’t wait to hear from you!
Soundtrack
We’re getting ourselves pumped for this job search, so we need a little bit of hustlin’ music to get us going. This one’s a classic track with a classic beat. There’s nothing better to kick off cover letter spamming than a song that slaps.
We know what you’re thinking: Bieber?! But this album is straight 🔥🔥🔥, y’all.
“Take Me Home, Country Road” by John Denver
Jen absolutely hates this song (which is part of the appeal of adding it to this week’s soundtrack), but both our dads love it. So, shoutout to our dads, to road trips, and to a classic piece of nostalgic Americana!
For the full list of songs included in our newsletters, click here.
As always, please keep in touch! We’re so lucky to have seen so many of you in the months since we’ve returned, and we hope to keep seeing even more of you with each passing week. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and are open to a socially distant hangout, just holler! And, don’t hesitate to shoot us emails, texts, chats, or video invitations—you’re all the best part of our days!
Love,
Jen & Jay