Hey guys! Whether you celebrated with your sweetie, hung out with your best pals, or curled up on the couch with your pup, we hope everyone had a cute little Valentine’s weekend filled with lots of love and laughs.

Song of the day: Congratulations to all who were able to score Noah Kahan tickets; we’ll just be listening to “The Great Divide” on repeat until we’re (maybe) able to score some ourselves. 

Need to vent? Want advice? Have feedback? We wanna hear from you!

Listen to our podcast, Are You Mad At Me? wherever you listen to podcasts!

How to Avoid a Mid-Thirties Crash Out

 question 
I can’t help but feel ancient after hearing a Gen Z say that Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” is a classic hit. What are some ways I can not spiral about being in my mid-thirties? —F.

 answer 
First of all, “classic hit” or not, that song slaps. While it’s natural to get the ick about our age when we see 20-year-olds doing TikTok dances that make our knees ache just by watching them, we’re not getting any younger, so we might as well embrace it!

Some things we do when we’re reminded that we’re a good 10ish years older than the Friends cast is supposed to be?

• Soak in the nostalgia. Crank a throwback playlist, watch an old favorite show, or grab a childhood snack (Gushers, anyone?). Even a little blast from the past can remind you that fun isn’t just for TikTok trends these days.

• Celebrate your wins throughout the years. Make a little list of what you can do that the kids these days can’t. Whether it’s adulting skills (yes, we finally know the difference between a Roth IRA and 401) or career achievements (long gone are your “taking coffee order” days), a splash of confidence is the instant fountain of youth.

• Get moving! Dance with your besties in the kitchen, try that new pilates studio down the street, or take a walk with a podcast (may we suggest one 😉?). Being physically capable and feeling strong can help remind your brain that you’ve still got it!

How to not feel like you’re not failing at your job search

 question 
I got laid off this past summer due to budget cuts. I’ve applied to places and even landed some interviews, but ultimately, I’m still looking for my next job. How do I not begin to take it personally and feel like a complete failure after seven months? Lately I can’t help feeling like there’s something wrong with me. —S.

 answer 
The good news? If you’re landing interviews, that’s proof that you’re marketable and doing something right; there’s nothing wrong with you!! The bad news? The job market is absolutely terrible right now, which has nothing to do with your capabilities.

Let’s talk about a few things below to help improve your search, without piling on the stress of it all.

Switch up your search strategy. While clicking the “Easy Apply” Button on LinkedIn may feel productive, a lot of those résumés end up getting lost in the HR abyss. Instead, aim for one networking event a month (and yes, actually go). Follow up with past hiring managers you’ve interviewed with, and don’t be afraid to ask what would’ve made you a stronger candidate.

Practice makes prepared. Record yourself answering common interview questions, and practice until you feel confident with your answers. If you’re open to it, consider asking a friend to conduct a mock interview for you and provide feedback. (We know, we know… but advice about wrong answers now, just may lead us to the right gig later.)

Do something non-work-related as a reminder that you’re more than your career. Join a rec sports league. Take a pottery class. Host a dinner. When your whole identity becomes “jobless,” every rejection feels quite literally like the worst thing ever. Build proof outside of work that you’re competent, interesting, and way more than a silly little 9-5 could ever be. 

We know it can feel like you’re never going to get out of this job search slump, but you will! Try your best to be patient and kind to yourself in the meantime.  

Got a Q? We wanna hear it here!

…while you take a PTO day to hang out with your dog.

Our mouths are watering after seeing Sam Milton’s high-protein take on the Viral Grillo’s Pickle Dip. Brb running to the store to get a giant jar of pickles. 

Olympians… they’re just like us! Check out what some of the best athletes in the world do for a living when they’re not going for the gold.

If birth months were personality traits… why is this so spot on though?!

Thanks so much for reading WorkDaze today! We hope you have the best rest of the week, with minimal “following up on this” emails in your inbox!

—Rod and Gabi