Last week, I started whining in public.
By now you may know the story: on Tuesday morning, I got laid off from my job of nearly three years, then decided to write about it on LinkedIn.
I am shocked and thrilled that it resonated with so many people. Most of my childhood dreams about fame involved an Oscar rather than a viral (or ‘seemingly viral’ according to CNN) LinkedIn post but hey, I’ll take what I can get. And yes, my use of the term ‘fame’ here is extremely, extremely generous. I so appreciate every comment/message I’ve received, which have brought me comfort and support during a very challenging week - even the negative ones! Which brings me back to the whining…
One particularly… spirited commenter took issue with my point of view on my experience. When he faced a similar situation? “I felt sorry for myself for about a week, but I never whined publicly.” He was also kind enough to offer me some sage wisdom: “My advice to young Colin Burke is get off of #socialmedia… and think of something productive to do with your life.” While I don’t agree with his characterization of my post as “whining” - I do agree that I should do something productive from here! So, I hope this commenter will be pleased to hear that:
Today, I start Whining in Public, my newsletter documenting this new, unwritten chapter of my life. I’m excited to keep writing about the terrifying and exhilarating uncertainty in front of me, share how I’m spending all this newfound free time, and hopefully figure out who I want to be when I grow up.
The frequency/structure is to be determined but as of now, it will be part personal essay and part pop culture commentary and mostly unhinged. You can subscribe on this very website! It is 100% free because I do not believe I have enough interesting things to say to make you pay. Yet.
More to come soon. Excited to move the plot along. Thanks for indulging me - xoxo