Gen Z Guide to FI

Some updates: I graduated from NYU with my MBA. I spent 5 months actively searching for a job since March and I got one that starts at the end of August. Hooray!!

So I ended up giving myself an unplanned summer break. Now that I’ve had all this unstructured time, what do I have to show for it? I’ll miss it when it’s gone.

I went to a bar with some unemployed friends last week. For context, I made an unemployed emotional support group chat for friends/classmates still looking for jobs post grad in the entertainment industry. One of them mentioned that she feels like she’s going crazy with all this free time on her hands. But I’m like I’ve trained for this (I think I said that inside my head).

Without going into crazy detail at the bar, I told her about how I spent my summer before business school straight chilling. The real ones on the blog can attest to it. I went to Mexico, South Korea, did a road trip to Southern California & had a few more adventures before moving to NY/NJ. I love a summer break. I’m now realizing that this summer break will be my last unstructured, free break for a while unless I purposely quit my job in a few years or get laid off. I don’t want to put being laid off into the universe but the entertainment & tech industry does seem to have a pattern of laying off people without regard. Getting my savings account back on track is crucial.

I’m also very grateful that I’ve had this time to vibe. I start a job that I know will be a lot of work in 2 weeks. When will I next get a chance to not work for 3 months in the summer? No PTO requests. No more daily 2 hour walks. No saying yes to random plans, volunteering, traveling because I have the time.

So back to the main question, how have I spent the time? I graduated in May. Then, I went to Canada, Tennessee and Ireland in June. Almost too much travel that month. I was overwhelmed but I had a great time in each place. In July, I was very much indoors. It was a hot mess *literally* in NYC. I did my daily walks. I did a random side gig selling Madonna’s new album merch to gay men. I hung out with many of my friends from school.

All the while, I was interviewing A LOT. I had probably 2-5 interviews any given week. So, I felt super busy.

This month, things have been much much slower. I secured a job which I will dedicate a full post to eventually. So, I’m truly having unstructured time. I wake up with almost no plan other than the workout classes I recently started & I see how the day goes. I’ve been filling my time with my many many podcasts, AMC A-list movies, walks  to new parks (when the weather isn’t miserable), fibermaxxing (haha) & hanging out with friends who are still looking for jobs or waiting for jobs to start.

I am looking forward to money again. I made my dreams come true (read The Weight of Dreaming Big post from 2022 manifesting my life) and got a full time role in the entertainment industry. There will be a full post on the new job coming soon. Stay tuned.

XOXO Gen Z Fire Baby