S2E5 - Career Corner and Life Transitions - “Tuesday night motorcycle”

Career Corner and Life Transitions


In this episode:


We are both going through pretty major life transitions right
now, and we expect some of you are, too. We wanted to discuss how
we’re coping with them so that maybe your life can get just a
little easier.

Mostly talking about new jobs because that’s the kind of
transition we are both going through, but lots of things cause
them, from health to marriage to kids to a hundred other things.

What’s funny about us, though, is that we traded--Void went
from freelancing into a full-time position, while Beej went from
a full-time position to freelancing. Weird, right?

It turns out that we have kind of the Geek to Geek Career
Corner this episode inadvertently, so we talk about how we use
our skills from other places to really move into something we
love, and that even though we are changing, it’s still a career
path that we both intended to take, and that some things happened
by accident.

The hardest parts of life transitions, though, are how
routines get thrown off, sleep being hard to get, and how
sometimes, our bodies just aren’t able to cope with the change in
ergonomics and space that we are thrown into when you’re changing
jobs or locations.

Somtimes, it’s hard to motivate yourself because your routine
is so different, and even when you can get the ergonomics right
for your space, finding that space itself can be hard in a new
location.

We both play video games (obviously) to destress from the
changes in our lives, and mainly use mainstays that don’t take a
lot of brainpower to get through. Both of us tend to work with
stuff going on in the backs of our heads, and learning new
mechanics and systems and anything complicated just makes us that
much more exhausted.

Podcasts and audiobooks are a great way to just escape, break
out of work mode, and use them on commutes. While they take some
active brainpower to listen to, they can be more passive than
sitting and reading, which is great when you’re experiencing
transition fatigue.

And you gotta exercise. We aren’t doing as much as we’d like,
but it helps a lot. Going out and running in good weather, using
a stationary bike, even doing yoga stretches at your desk or
between projects is a great way to make your day seem a little
less exhausting. You can also dedicate some time in the morning
or the evening to have some specific active time that you
distance yourself from whatever your transition is, keeping that
period up with your normal routine that’s been changed.

And everyone has some comfort TV. Void loves anything witty
and well-written like Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing or YouTube
videos that don’t have a deep time commitment, and Beej loves old
sitcoms like New Girl or Parks and Rec to keep him giggling with
it in the background.



Geeky Offer of the Week


Book Recommendation: My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso - Get
it for FREE at audibletrial.com/geektogeekcast and support the
podcast while you're at it.



Weekly Geekery


Beej was on Dumbbells & Dragons podcast this week. Much
stuff is discussed, and Kenny is good people. Go listen.

Beej - Ink and Bone / Fire Emblem Heroes / Politics (the idea
of getting involved and showing up) / Starting and stopping new
TV shows: The Expanse, The Man in the High Castle, GoT S6,
Voltron / Blue Apron (may save this for a health hacks, but touch
on it here)