Open Forum

Was there a specific moment, or was it a gradual process? Or are you still awaiting that change?

I remember 2008 vividly. The credit crisis harshly impacted the marketing and advertising industry, and I was part of the unemployment statistics. I lost my job and wondered how to pay my rent. Eventually, I lost my apartment - I had a lot of debts. I remember people coming over to take the last pieces of my furniture.

I lost it all.

But I kept working at different minimum wage jobs, and eventually, I started selling my junior marketing services to my LinkedIn contacts and friends. 2008-2009 gave me the best work experience I could ever ask for. My freelance jobs required me to learn about photography, website development, copywriting, social media advertising, design; I even did marketing research and focus groups for General Mills and Univision-the Spanish broadcasting company!

Due to this experience, I was able to find fantastic job opportunities at different advertising companies and eventually started my own.

It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

When did your life change for the better? Was there a turning point, or did it happen gradually? Or are you still awaiting that change? Please share your experience with us!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------

Wow, @Mauricio Gonzales - this is a great (and tough!) question. Thank you for sharing your story.

I don't know that I can narrow it down to a particular experience, but when I take the time to #reflect on the times my life has "changed for the better" (and now I have that song from Wicked in my head), they all center around the concept of living authentically.

When I was 18, I came out to my parents as queer - and because it didn't stick the first time, I came out again at 24. ​
I quit two jobs in my early 20s without a solid lead on "what was next" because they didn't fit with the goals I wanted to pursue.
I started therapy a couple of years back to help me get a better handle on how to come out, not just as genderqueer (an identity I'd already owned), but to come to grips with my internalized transphobia and come out as trans. 

I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically, and definitely spend too much time overthinking which risks to take and when. Your story (and your question) is a good reminder that even though none of these turning points came easy or without conflict, they have shaped who I am today and that feels really good.

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2021 09:11
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Was there a specific moment, or was it a gradual process? Or are you still awaiting that change?

I remember 2008 vividly. The credit crisis harshly impacted the marketing and advertising industry, and I was part of the unemployment statistics. I lost my job and wondered how to pay my rent. Eventually, I lost my apartment - I had a lot of debts. I remember people coming over to take the last pieces of my furniture.

I lost it all.

But I kept working at different minimum wage jobs, and eventually, I started selling my junior marketing services to my LinkedIn contacts and friends. 2008-2009 gave me the best work experience I could ever ask for. My freelance jobs required me to learn about photography, website development, copywriting, social media advertising, design; I even did marketing research and focus groups for General Mills and Univision-the Spanish broadcasting company!

Due to this experience, I was able to find fantastic job opportunities at different advertising companies and eventually started my own.

It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

When did your life change for the better? Was there a turning point, or did it happen gradually? Or are you still awaiting that change? Please share your experience with us!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------

I love that song, by the way, such a classic! I have a short playlist with my favorite Broadway musical hits. "Memory" from Cats (1983) it's the first song in my list, lol.

When I read this line in your comment, I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically... I thought, man, how difficult it's to live authentically in an inauthentic age. If only we were given a "survival guide" to be better prepared to face our trials and tribulations, it'd be awesome. But like you say, the way we confront our problems and how we overcome them help us shape who we are today. Love that!  

Thanks for sharing your story, Quinn!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2021 13:11
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Wow, @Mauricio Gonzales - this is a great (and tough!) question. Thank you for sharing your story.

I don't know that I can narrow it down to a particular experience, but when I take the time to #reflect on the times my life has "changed for the better" (and now I have that song from Wicked in my head), they all center around the concept of living authentically.

When I was 18, I came out to my parents as queer - and because it didn't stick the first time, I came out again at 24. ​
I quit two jobs in my early 20s without a solid lead on "what was next" because they didn't fit with the goals I wanted to pursue.
I started therapy a couple of years back to help me get a better handle on how to come out, not just as genderqueer (an identity I'd already owned), but to come to grips with my internalized transphobia and come out as trans. 

I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically, and definitely spend too much time overthinking which risks to take and when. Your story (and your question) is a good reminder that even though none of these turning points came easy or without conflict, they have shaped who I am today and that feels really good.

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn

Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2021 09:11
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Was there a specific moment, or was it a gradual process? Or are you still awaiting that change?

I remember 2008 vividly. The credit crisis harshly impacted the marketing and advertising industry, and I was part of the unemployment statistics. I lost my job and wondered how to pay my rent. Eventually, I lost my apartment - I had a lot of debts. I remember people coming over to take the last pieces of my furniture.

I lost it all.

But I kept working at different minimum wage jobs, and eventually, I started selling my junior marketing services to my LinkedIn contacts and friends. 2008-2009 gave me the best work experience I could ever ask for. My freelance jobs required me to learn about photography, website development, copywriting, social media advertising, design; I even did marketing research and focus groups for General Mills and Univision-the Spanish broadcasting company!

Due to this experience, I was able to find fantastic job opportunities at different advertising companies and eventually started my own.

It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

When did your life change for the better? Was there a turning point, or did it happen gradually? Or are you still awaiting that change? Please share your experience with us!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------

Wow, these are both really amazing stories!

I definitely can't pin point one particular event that changed my life, but rather I like to think about all of the smaller events that have shifted my direction or changed my perspective to help me grow and learn. I have lived a privileged life compared to most, for which I am very thankful, and it has taught me to make the most of every opportunity presented to me and not take things for granted. 

For example, I was able to study abroad while in school, but the university shut down due to a strike for eight weeks. This was challenging and frustrating and I lost school credit and wasted money, but I chose to take advantage of the situation as best I could instead of wallowing in my anger. I took time to travel to other countries, talk to local students about what was happening, and take action to make forward progress instead of feeling stuck and helpless.  I look back on this life experience with both positive and negative memories, but in the end I agree with @Quinn Drew and am proud to have had this experience shape who I am today! Remember that you are in control of how you react to what life presents you with. I encourage you to leverage your experiences and learn lots.​

------------------------------
Alison Randall
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-03-2021 08:54
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

I love that song, by the way, such a classic! I have a short playlist with my favorite Broadway musical hits. "Memory" from Cats (1983) it's the first song in my list, lol.

When I read this line in your comment, I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically... I thought, man, how difficult it's to live authentically in an inauthentic age. If only we were given a "survival guide" to be better prepared to face our trials and tribulations, it'd be awesome. But like you say, the way we confront our problems and how we overcome them help us shape who we are today. Love that!  

Thanks for sharing your story, Quinn!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™

Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2021 13:11
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Wow, @Mauricio Gonzales - this is a great (and tough!) question. Thank you for sharing your story.

I don't know that I can narrow it down to a particular experience, but when I take the time to #reflect on the times my life has "changed for the better" (and now I have that song from Wicked in my head), they all center around the concept of living authentically.

When I was 18, I came out to my parents as queer - and because it didn't stick the first time, I came out again at 24. ​
I quit two jobs in my early 20s without a solid lead on "what was next" because they didn't fit with the goals I wanted to pursue.
I started therapy a couple of years back to help me get a better handle on how to come out, not just as genderqueer (an identity I'd already owned), but to come to grips with my internalized transphobia and come out as trans. 

I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically, and definitely spend too much time overthinking which risks to take and when. Your story (and your question) is a good reminder that even though none of these turning points came easy or without conflict, they have shaped who I am today and that feels really good.

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn

Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2021 09:11
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Was there a specific moment, or was it a gradual process? Or are you still awaiting that change?

I remember 2008 vividly. The credit crisis harshly impacted the marketing and advertising industry, and I was part of the unemployment statistics. I lost my job and wondered how to pay my rent. Eventually, I lost my apartment - I had a lot of debts. I remember people coming over to take the last pieces of my furniture.

I lost it all.

But I kept working at different minimum wage jobs, and eventually, I started selling my junior marketing services to my LinkedIn contacts and friends. 2008-2009 gave me the best work experience I could ever ask for. My freelance jobs required me to learn about photography, website development, copywriting, social media advertising, design; I even did marketing research and focus groups for General Mills and Univision-the Spanish broadcasting company!

Due to this experience, I was able to find fantastic job opportunities at different advertising companies and eventually started my own.

It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

When did your life change for the better? Was there a turning point, or did it happen gradually? Or are you still awaiting that change? Please share your experience with us!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------

@Alison Randall I love this reminder so much: "Remember that you are in control of how you react to what life presents you with."​

Thank you so much!

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2021 10:02
From: Alison Randall
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Wow, these are both really amazing stories!

I definitely can't pin point one particular event that changed my life, but rather I like to think about all of the smaller events that have shifted my direction or changed my perspective to help me grow and learn. I have lived a privileged life compared to most, for which I am very thankful, and it has taught me to make the most of every opportunity presented to me and not take things for granted. 

For example, I was able to study abroad while in school, but the university shut down due to a strike for eight weeks. This was challenging and frustrating and I lost school credit and wasted money, but I chose to take advantage of the situation as best I could instead of wallowing in my anger. I took time to travel to other countries, talk to local students about what was happening, and take action to make forward progress instead of feeling stuck and helpless.  I look back on this life experience with both positive and negative memories, but in the end I agree with @Quinn Drew and am proud to have had this experience shape who I am today! Remember that you are in control of how you react to what life presents you with. I encourage you to leverage your experiences and learn lots.​

------------------------------
Alison Randall

Original Message:
Sent: 12-03-2021 08:54
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

I love that song, by the way, such a classic! I have a short playlist with my favorite Broadway musical hits. "Memory" from Cats (1983) it's the first song in my list, lol.

When I read this line in your comment, I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically... I thought, man, how difficult it's to live authentically in an inauthentic age. If only we were given a "survival guide" to be better prepared to face our trials and tribulations, it'd be awesome. But like you say, the way we confront our problems and how we overcome them help us shape who we are today. Love that!  

Thanks for sharing your story, Quinn!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™

Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2021 13:11
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Wow, @Mauricio Gonzales - this is a great (and tough!) question. Thank you for sharing your story.

I don't know that I can narrow it down to a particular experience, but when I take the time to #reflect on the times my life has "changed for the better" (and now I have that song from Wicked in my head), they all center around the concept of living authentically.

When I was 18, I came out to my parents as queer - and because it didn't stick the first time, I came out again at 24. ​
I quit two jobs in my early 20s without a solid lead on "what was next" because they didn't fit with the goals I wanted to pursue.
I started therapy a couple of years back to help me get a better handle on how to come out, not just as genderqueer (an identity I'd already owned), but to come to grips with my internalized transphobia and come out as trans. 

I'm still navigating "what it means" to live authentically, and definitely spend too much time overthinking which risks to take and when. Your story (and your question) is a good reminder that even though none of these turning points came easy or without conflict, they have shaped who I am today and that feels really good.

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn

Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2021 09:11
From: Mauricio Gonzales
Subject: When Did Your Life Change For The Better?

Was there a specific moment, or was it a gradual process? Or are you still awaiting that change?

I remember 2008 vividly. The credit crisis harshly impacted the marketing and advertising industry, and I was part of the unemployment statistics. I lost my job and wondered how to pay my rent. Eventually, I lost my apartment - I had a lot of debts. I remember people coming over to take the last pieces of my furniture.

I lost it all.

But I kept working at different minimum wage jobs, and eventually, I started selling my junior marketing services to my LinkedIn contacts and friends. 2008-2009 gave me the best work experience I could ever ask for. My freelance jobs required me to learn about photography, website development, copywriting, social media advertising, design; I even did marketing research and focus groups for General Mills and Univision-the Spanish broadcasting company!

Due to this experience, I was able to find fantastic job opportunities at different advertising companies and eventually started my own.

It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

When did your life change for the better? Was there a turning point, or did it happen gradually? Or are you still awaiting that change? Please share your experience with us!

------------------------------
Mauricio Gonzales
Content Marketing & Branding Specialist at GOOD DESIGN™
------------------------------