Sometimes We Brace

In November 2022 I returned to the US after 3.5 years in Mexico. A normally drought-ridden state, California was in the midst of intense rainfall- so heavy massive trees were being uprooted. I wryly referred to the weather as my own tears and went to the store for fleece-lined leggings and a raincoat. 

Mexico had become my home and a truly magical time ended brutally with a layoff from my full time remote job followed by both my cats dying on the same day. It’s like I was Sandra Bullock in a poorly written romcom yelling at the sky “Why?!” while the clouds soak me and my pantsuit. Remember The Divorce with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston? It was supposed to be funny but instead hit too close to home on the shitty feelings that encompass a breakup. The Divorce is definitely a better reference. I would literally reach across my mattress at night hoping Mexico, my cats, and the freaking sun were there.

You can only be numb and grieve for so long. I had landed a temporary consultant contract and the much-needed paycheck reminded me the world hadn’t hit a pause button just because my life had hit a rough patch. Part of bringing my soul back to life was music.Mexico had got my PNW bred, personal bubble-fond, rhythm-lacking self to dance.Movement is contagious there. If a good beat comes on, people are standing up, hands in the air, yelling “eh eh eh!” 

Back in the States I was now the weirdo swinging my hips in yoga aerobics. I continued to turn the music up outside of the workout studio, making a playlist called “Dancing in the Kitchen.” I love to cook and loss melded with reverse culture shock had seemed to dull all of my senses. So I started adding songs. Started resurrecting culinary curiosity and literally started dancing in my kitchen. 

One of the songs on the playlist is Brace by Twin Shadow, featuring Rainsford. Part of the lyrics go:

• Sometimes we brace

• And then fall

• Sometimes we don't feel right

• Sometimes we don't fall at all

The words reminded me that as much as bruises hurt, constantly bracing for impact is just exhausting. And sometimes the impact never comes- sometimes we save it and keep going. My philosophy behind founding the Orange Peel Collaborative was to meld experience with empathy. What happens in our personal life and professional life is not siloed, no matter how hard we try. Remote and hybrid work environments only compound that. And I say: lean into it. We are human. Your team is human. Sometimes we brace. Sometimes we get soaked in the rain romcom style. Empathy and determination will prevail. 

Welcome to the OP Collab blog. I am Tia Christopher and I am glad you are on this journey with me.