How Kelly Got Her Groove Back

I wish I could say that I lost my groove in some love gone wrong, and it was magically returned to me during some tropical vacation with a muscle bound hottie on one arm and an umbrella drink in the other. Unfortunately, my story is not quite so glamorous.

My groove was lost September 2013, but I guess you could say it was starting to go a little before that date. September 2013, one of the worst days of my life, was when my job of six years as an advertising and public relations manager was eliminated. I was completely blindsided, and for weeks I couldn’t believe it was real. Every day I desperately tried to wrap my head around what just happened. I mean, how could my position be eliminated when I have always been so swamped with work. Every night, I cried myself to sleep and dreamt that they asked me to return to work. For months, I was an open wound. A once social person, I avoided my friends and meeting new people. I didn’t give a lot of thought about what my true passions consisted of; the only thing I cared about was finding a job.

Unfortunately, after six months I was still unemployed. I became even more terrified about my economic future, so I abandoned my experience and knowledge to apply for positions outside of advertising, public relations and marketing. After nine months as an unemployed hermit, who was literally eating my feelings, I decided I needed to stop trying to heal with Band-Aids and start actually healing. I needed to truly figure out what I loved and what I wanted. I loved my old job, but even while I was there I was starting to lose sight of my true passions. The work day and even life seemed to become a list of daily tasks that I liked more or less than others. So I put my foot down and decided the time is now…

1.       Accept the things I cannot change

a.       First, I needed to stop cringing every time someone asked where I worked or what I did for a living. This was no easy task. However, this is where the positive self talk and the support of positive, loving family and friends made the difference. They reminded me of my talent, my bright future, and that the loss of my job was not my fault. 

2.       Stop hiding

a.       Second, I needed to stop hiding. I had nothing to be ashamed of and the elimination of my job did not make me less than. Plus, everyone knows that networking is important in the business world.

3.       Get healthy

a.       Third, I needed to stop eating my feelings and being a hermit. It was time to stop coping through food and get healthy. Food is not a friend so I needed to stop treating it like it was. This is still a huge work in progress, but I am now working harder to talk to friends and family, go for a walk, or read a book when the stress of unemployment gets too much. I remind myself….You deserve to be happy and healthy, so take care of yourself.

4.       Find my passion

a.       I now realize the elimination of my job was probably a blessing. If my position hadn’t been eliminated I would have become more and more clueless to who I really am and what I really love. When I really took the time to explore new things, I learned that I love reading, gardening, watching Meet the Press, teaching my dog new tricks, and spending time with my friends and family. More than learning about myself, I needed to determine my professional passions. I began thinking about what I liked about advertising, public relations and marketing and where I want to be professionally. I learned that I do in fact love advertising, public relations and marketing, and I want to be a director of marketing. I am always reading industry articles, but I decided that I want more. I want to be the best and most competitive as possible, so I decided to return to college to take courses that keep me on the forefront of marketing technology and obtain my masters.

It was these steps that brought me to the Digital Advertising class at the University of Northern Iowa and this blog. This blog may be an assignment; however, I also think it will help me down my continued path of self discovery and education. I hope you return frequently to read my updates and share your thoughts and feelings about my topics.