Hi friend,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I also hope you’re not filled with existential dread now that we’re hours away from Monday but, unfortunately, I know that’s likely the case. I recently surveyed my audience on Instagram & LinkedIn with staggering results - 71% of you come down with a case of the Sunday Scaries every single week. For the 9% surveyed that don’t know what that means and for those that need a refresher: The Sunday Scaries is a term widely used to describe the anxiety and dread that sets in on Sunday evenings, right about now, with the impending return to work on Monday 😬

As with anxiety, everyone’s symptoms and coping mechanisms look different ranging from Netflix binge escapism to planning out every hour of the next week to feel in control.

But what if these Sunday Scaries were less scary?

I and the remaining 20% surveyed are living proof that this weekly plight doesn’t have to be as intense or even exist at all.

What this is all about..

For those that don’t know me, I suppose it’s time I introduced myself. I’m Jess 👋 - I’m a recovering perfectionist & careerist who has now seen the light and found that it’s possible to do work that fulfills you more than it afflicts you. After building a career as a ‘swiss-army knife’ early-stage startup leader (expertise building business operations & leading fundraises as a Chief of Staff and organizing developer teams & launching products as an Agile Scrum Leader & Product Manager), I navigated a job search that culminated in 101 interviews in 2020 after my (now) husband & I moved to NYC the week before the pandemic lockdown.

I’ve felt the intensity of the Sunday Scaries, the loneliness of months-long job search & the emptiness of feeling like I wasn’t doing ‘what I was meant to be doing’ but not knowing where to start to answer that question. So I started my coaching business, Reflect Your Light, to build what I wish would have existed for me: coaching that empowers people to dim their fears and shine brightest through career transitions ✨

This newsletter will incorporate the same methodology that I use with my clients - advice & exercise for job-seekers and those wondering what’s next for them grounded in three themes: Clarify, Connect & Confidently Communicate.

Clarify 💡

This is the inner reflective work that a lot of us tend to avoid but is often the most powerful - answering questions like:

• Who am I really?

• How has my past shaped me?

• What do I hope for my future?

• What are my top priorities and why?

This week, I encourage you to set a timer for 10 minutes and answer the prompt ✍️

After journaling, don’t edit or second-guess it. I encourage you to share what you wrote with a loved one and reflect on if your definition of success has changed over time (mine certainly has) and if how you spend your time aligns with that current definition.

Connect 🤝

This is your support system - doing work in this area helps you understand:

• Who can help you with your goals?

• How do you best ask for and receive help?

• What can you give back to your network?

The building block to impactful connect work in 2023 is a strong foundation on LinkedIn - I recently shared 3 fundamental tips:

Speaking of LinkedIn, because this is the first edition of this newsletter and I’d like to extend who it reaches, I’m gifting a free LinkedIn Overhaul Session if you successfully refer 10 (or more) new readers that will benefit from this newsletter:

Confidently Communicate 🗣️

This is the work that empowers you to tell your story and best highlight your strengths in your own authentic voice.

I’m offering complimentary calls this month to begin unpacking your story and unlocking how I can best help you in your career transition - whether you’re between roles, employed but unfulfilled, or seeking promotion.

For my job seekers - let’s start this week strong with a focused schedule, download my free template here. 🗓️

Deep breaths & conquer the week 💪

Until next Sunday,