I was living the dream...then I got fired
What happens when our projects fall apart?
It would be fun and aesthetic to kick off my newsletter with tips on how to be a successful entrepreneur. I could tell you all about the joys of emigrating, the top plans, or the specialty coffees in Berlin you just have to try.
But I know we’re all a bit tired of the perfect “happy life” on social media. Today my Buenos Aires spirit is thousands of miles away, and I’ve lost the few filters that would have stopped me from telling you this bittersweet story.
For the last two years, I had one goal: move from Buenos Aires to Berlin. Unlike those spontaneous travellers who pack a backpack and set off for new adventures, the adult in me never allowed for those sudden decisions.
From a distance, it seemed easy. A simple copy-paste of my life in BA to another city. Why Berlin? Honestly, I’m still asking myself that. But the move was backed by a solid anchor – my job at a German agency. It seemed like it would take a few hours to arrange, but I spent two years planning it. I had to be sure.
Ironically, I built the Jenga tower but didn’t consider I might pick the wrong piece once I started playing. I didn’t take enough precautions, and one key factor fell through: I was fired.
So, I’ll use this offline and private space to talk about plans that go awry or fallen projects. What happens to our minds when the bubble bursts?
The Road to… Success?
Step 1: … ✅
Step 2: … ✅
Step 3: … ✅!
Step 4: I’m off, and bam!
Oh, the joy of those times when we feel like everything’s “under control” just because we’ve ticked them off our to-do list. My plan? Shiny and perfect. The focus? Crystal clear: get to Berlin. But so focused on the destination, I forgot to observe the road that would take me there.
On the way, there were distractions. A new apartment, projects in Buenos Aires, a few trips, and a job I wasn’t really in love with. Always cautious, doubting my gut feeling. Looking for answers but uncomfortable when I couldn’t find them.
Something didn’t feel quite right. No matter how appealing the routine looked, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I had skipped a few steps. I had taken a shortcut.
But the problem wasn’t the destination (Berlin), it was the noise I let in along the way. Distractions that pulled me away from what I really wanted.
After a few months in the city of my dreams, the plan had fallen apart. The bubble had burst. It all backfired. The most unexpected factor collapsed.
Some might call it stubbornness; others perseverance. But after swallowing the news (and asking myself a million times what the hell I’m doing with my life, ahem), I decided to stay anyway.
No house, no job, and almost no one around to lend a hand. It meant starting from scratch.
(Literally)
So, where do I begin?
Seeing the Glass Half Full
My perfectionist ego hates to admit it, but you can’t keep all the plates spinning at once. The more energy you put into one, the more the others start to wobble. The problem is, when one plane crashes, everything feels up in the air – even the convictions you trusted just days before.
Bad times at work can sting. Doubts, insecurity, bruised egos, and endless questions. We easily follow a leader, but what happens when it’s our turn to take the wheel? Who are we when no one’s there to tell us what to do?
Reaching a goal can take way longer than we expect, and giving up can often seem like the easiest option. We get distracted, things go wrong, and we fall into that pit we call “Oh well, it was bound to happen.” Our goals slip away in seconds, and we lose sight of what was once so important.
But a friend, trying to calm me down, painted the journey of our plans like this:
A climb that doesn’t show you the end. As you move forward, you get tired, you stop, and you constantly question whether to give up. But I like to believe that if I keep climbing, I’ll probably find something more.
Lessons from A Fired Woman
Inevitably, when life gives you a real blow, you learn more than in years of smooth sailing. So, to stop you from ditching your plans just because they get tough, here are the lessons I learned from getting fired:
When you’re the boss, remember what it was like when you weren’t.
When things are going well, don’t get too comfortable.
Move forward, even just a little, every day.
Money is just a resource. If you’re not happy, it’s not worth it.
Set a clear purpose. When your focus is sharp, the path feels lighter.
Establish your boundaries. Work is a space where no one knows you. If you don’t set your limits, no one will do it for you.
If your job doesn’t feel right, don’t stay out of comfort. Keep searching until something excites you.
When you notice things are off, speak up. It’s weird to correct your boss, but if you do it thoughtfully, you’ll save yourself a huge headache. After all, we’re all learning – even your bosses.
Enough Unboxing, Give Me Real Tips
🎵 This week, I’ve been listening to vonnside. The track Avidya is a productivity powerhouse – highly recommended!
👷 A tip for finding remote work? I’ve noticed a lot of people searching for jobs abroad have weak CVs. Google “mid-level resume” + the role you want. You’ll find a million templates with ideas on how to create yours and what HR teams expect to see. For example: “mid-level resume for content marketing.”
🥪 Best sandwich in Berlin? Goldadelux – veggie-friendly too!
🥪 Best hangover sandwich for Sunday? 44 Brekkie.
I’d love feedback on future newsletters – send me your thoughts! 🙂
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xoxo
Abi