A lot happened this month, collectively and personally.
Queen Elizabeth II died. We narrowly avoided a railroad strike. Joe Biden finally called the MAGA movement what it actually is: semi-fascism. Weeks after claiming that states should decide, Lindsey Graham introduced a bill that seeks to ban abortion nationwide. Brett Favre stole money out of poor babies’ mouths. Italy elected its most hard-right leader since Benito Mussolini. Etc etc etc.
This month I signed a new employment contract. In October, I will start a new role as a management consultant specializing in communications and working with federal government agencies.
After my brain injury in 2018, I began to downsize my skincare business. Pre-TBI, I was pitching VCs, stocking our products on the shelves of major retailers, and I’d grown the company to eight employees. My TBI was severe enough that I could no longer work at the level required to sustain that kind of growth.
Then COVID-19 happened, the world changed, and so did I.
“Something valuable happened when I took a break from my life and spent some time in undefined space.” — Katie Malachuk
As I focused on getting healthier over the last two years, I’ve been reflecting upon the future of my career. I realized that I’m just not as passionate about skincare anymore. I will continue to keep the company running at a much smaller level as I transition into this new role. I will also take the GRE in October and I’m applying to grad programs this winter.
For the first time in a long time, I’m feeling really excited about the future. 🚀 It’s a big stretch and a lot of change, but I’m ready for it.
Tunes
On My Radar
🧵 This was a fun thread reflecting upon women’s role in the history of the labor movement in the United States:
“The heart of justice is truth telling, seeing ourselves and the world the way it is rather than the way we want it to be.” — bell hooks
“It is far more powerful to live your truth than to preach it.” — Rasha
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” — Buddha
“Power doesn’t corrupt. It reveals.” — Robert Caro
“How odd that if we reject what is painful, we find only more pain, but if we embrace what is within us — if we peer fearlessly into the shadows — we stumble upon the light.” — Elizabeth Lesser
Anyone can get lucky, not everyone can persevere:
“Success comes to the lowly and to the poorly talented, but the special characteristic of a great person is to triumph over the disasters and panics of human life.” — Seneca
What I’m Reading
What I’m Watching
Videos I Published
I only published one video in September 2022 and my publishing cadence may remain at about one per month for a while as I apply for grad school, start a new job, and continue running my business. 🥵
That said, this video is a banger.
P.S. If you’re not already subscribed to my channel, please do so!