Life Update of July 2026

Dear friends, I have news! *cue the celebratory music*

I have a full-time job! Yes, with health insurance! Whoo!!! 🎊

I actually got an official offer with the company I’ve been working for over a year now. A lovely boost in pay, though the PTO does leave something to be desired (at least for the first few months). 

I started job hunting in March, honestly with less fervor than I should’ve had, considering my contract was supposed to end. I applied to 22 companies. I got multiple interviews for 3 companies, and my manager gave me a verbal offer. I feel great in the sense my salary is way more than any of the other options were. 

I started at the tail end of June. My workload is slightly different due to some structural changes, but all in all, I feel good to have gotten some health insurance before turning 26. 

Related Post: 12 thoughts: from calling to friendship

Due to needing to accure PTO, I pretty much am homebound for summer. I may decide to do something for my birthday, but otherwise I am firmly in NYC. I’d love to explore the neighborhood of Coney Island – here’s to some Turkish food. I also know a trail I think would be fun to just wander around in the Bronx. I think I thought adulthood would come with a lot more travel, but maybe next year. Fingers crossed, this fall will include some fun!

With my upgraded role, I’ve been pretty good at finally getting a clear morning/night routine down, so I may share that here on the blog soon. And on my days that I work from home, it would be nice to spend one at a coffee shop and enjoy the ambiance.

Somehow I broke my iPhone home button, and essentially just decided to buy a new phone, right before I started my new role.

FUTURE GOALS

Now that I have my weekends firmly to myself, I do want to get into taking care of myself. My sleep has been rough for quite a while and I really want to be better at being active. My main priorities for the remainder of the summer into fall are taking care of myself physically (long walks, lifting, water), reading instead of watching way too much Grey’s Anatomy (great for knitting though), keeping a clean home, and devoting myself back to this space. 

I am back in the driver’s seat. I think my goal is to take the test in October. At the very least, I’d like to get my license before 27. Driving does drain me. I’d much prefer to take a train everytime, but it is a needed skill in the USA.

I am firmly excited about the new Citizen album coming out on my birthday and the new Movements album coming out early fall. 

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FUN THINGS I’M ENJOYING

I’ve started watching Death in Paradise, which is a very fun murder of the week show in very sunny locale. I love when Ben Miller plays a neurotic character (he’s also in Professor T). I also got Acorn TV for more British cozy mystery shows. 🤗

I’ve switched from a regular comforter to a duvet and I got one of the Piglet in Bed ones, and it’s super comfy.

I made egg bites at home for my week of breakfasts and I think recipes like that are so clever when you are lazy to make breakfast before heading to the office.

I’ll leave you with a song – Red House by John the Ghost – as I’m feeling a bit nostalgic.

If you have any 9 to 5 tips, please share them with me! I feel really good of all that’s to come, and it’s nice to feel that again. Thanks for sharing this joy with me, friends!

Signing off,

Gigi