When I was first put on unpaid furlough in February 2025, I cried. Not because of the job itself, but because of what it signaled—a loss far bigger than a paycheck. I grieved for what was happening to our country. I grieved on behalf of communities that would bear the brunt of cruel new policies, and for children around the world whose lives hung in the balance as global aid was dismantled. I mourned for my team, the bright spot of every workday, now facing instability in a time of chaos.

But after a few hours of tears and self-pity, I did what I do best: I created a document.

In it, I started producing my life.

That document became my roadmap. I’d never been one to cook regularly, but with every dollar suddenly precious, I added a weekly “make a big pot of soup” ritual, nourishing and budget-friendly, right next to a 30-day yoga challenge. Each pot of soup on Friday and each day of movement marked another week/day through furlough — a rhythm, a reminder, and a release. I organized the entire month around four pillars:

Improve myself
Connect with others
Make stuff
Learn something new
Apply for jobs
Have fun (even with no income)

I filled the calendar with free or low-cost activities that aligned with those goals. I also turned to over a decade of old bucket lists to find forgotten ambitions I could finally bring to life.

By the time I hit 60 days of unpaid furlough, I completed 14 goals, some new, some a decade old. And through it all, I rediscovered something that unemployment and uncertainty couldn't take from me: a deep sense of purpose.

My job has never been my purpose. But the career I’ve built, helping mission-driven organizations tell stories that spark change, has always been aligned with it. And in my personal life, The Great Goal Rush has become the way I spark change in myself. As a beautiful byproduct, it’s inspired and sparked others to do the same.

I’m proud of that.

I was officially laid off April 17th and today I’m at 90+ days without a salary. That’s not ideal. But staying sane, joyful, and purposeful in the face of uncertainty? That’s a different kind of wealth. It’s also a powerful reminder that the goals we set, even the ones scribbled down a decade ago, can still be timely, still be healing, still be exactly what we need.

This is how I stayed grounded during the collapse of a system.

And I can’t wait to share the monumental goals I completed during this season.

Living on Purpose (When Nothing Goes as Planned)

My Superpower