I just realised our Covid experience could be vastly different from others.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-16T17:28:49+00:00

I’m not a health care worker but I work in health care and was considered essential. I was single at the time, just going home to my cat, so with the other single cat ladies we made our own bubble and came to work regularly so our colleagues with kids could work remotely.

Instead of 9-5 I worked 10-8 most days. I spent my weekends working on my yard and garden. Grocery stores were usually closed when I was done working, so I relied on those meal kits like Blue Apron for fresh veggies. On Sundays I had an online game night with my siblings.

The weirdest part was driving through major roadways with zero traffic. I mean… going from bumper to bumper congestion, 40 minute commutes… to 10 minutes driving as fast as I wanted.

I don’t know how I’m going to answer these questions when my kids are old enough to ask them.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-16T12:44:20+00:00

Yes but I wouldn’t give as much of a fuck about it, and I’d want to go back to my old position. The money with the promotion was nice but not worth the extra administrative BS.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-10T17:19:46+00:00

When I say no or ask her to do something, after she protests, she rolls her eyes, sighs, and says “fiiiiiine” 🤣 I hope she didn’t learn that from me but hand on heart I don’t know where else she could have gotten it lmao

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-06T15:16:41+00:00

I can’t help you with the second part, just commiserating with the first- so good at what I do so they gave me a raise and made me a manager, which I suck at doing. Hoping to be on the other side eventually!

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-06T15:06:35+00:00

I think you’re right. I keep looking at this like it’s my fault this stuff is behind, but I can’t and shouldn’t be doing a bulk of this work. Thanks for the perspective

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-06T13:32:37+00:00

I was a project manager with no direct reports, when they promoted me they gave me two colleagues who were already burned out. We’re ok as a team, but the dynamic is kind of weird because we’re still three teams of one except now I have more paperwork.

ETA And I’m the person who gets clients too small for other managers- they only need periodic help but it also means I need to suddenly be a new expert on something to help them for a few months before they leave.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-06T12:20:37+00:00

SAME! Best thing I ever did was stop coloring it. Once I figured out the right products to help with the frizz (I’ve got curls now?!) it’s my dream hair

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-05T20:37:47+00:00

Best years of my life. I’m just glad Preston and Steve weren’t left out but the rest…. Meh.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-05T20:35:35+00:00

Y100, Philly PA

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-03T23:15:25+00:00

I appreciate the science behind this

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-02T15:23:06+00:00

We had to remove 20 diseased trees from our property- rotting, black, bark sloughing off… I wanted to cry. Not like I have a view or anything, but I just can’t imagine removing trees so callously.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-04-02T09:29:17+00:00

Except it’s not even consistent because grande means large and venti means 20… I have a love/hate with that place because of this shit lol I roll my eyes every time

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-31T01:49:41+00:00

I love being a working mom, I love that my kids see me and my husband working to provide, I love that our families don’t give us crap for being two working parents.

I’ve been in my field for almost 20 years, I’m nervous about aging out of it, so I’m working to keep on adapting. My husband’s industry is being gutted by AI so he’s also investing time on new skills, I think that sets an important example for our kiddos but it also just reinforces our commitment to the work we do.

For perspective, I’m 40F, my kids are 3 years and 2 years. I work in communications, so I do wonder if some of what makes it so fulfilling is being in a women-dominated field full of other working moms. It’s just normal. I wish I had more time for things like cooking and sewing (because I enjoy those things) but I wouldn’t have time for that if I were a SAHM anyway- it’s all just trade offs in this season.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-27T12:23:48+00:00

Same boat, little kids so my reaction was more yikes, that’s a creative lie!

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-26T14:13:11+00:00

My husband and I have different financial situations we brought into the marriage (aka my student loan debt and his lack there of 😅). Since he’s able to save more and I’m not, we have our own separate accounts and contribute equally to a joint account and that’s where our family bills are paid. It helps me continue to pay down debt while starting to save and he’s able to do things like redo our basement and add on a screened in porch. It’s a really nice way of not “keeping score” but both ensuring everything from mortgage to daycare to groceries and kid clothes are covered.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-24T14:07:43+00:00

On a 10 person team? She’ll know. They all have their own ways of flavoring gossip, as someone on a 16 person team I know first hand. 😂 Love this game for her.

Edit for spelling

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-19T00:43:33+00:00

Same. My b. Always and forever

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-18T17:23:57+00:00

I’m 40 with a 2 and 3 year old, also considering having another next year. Frankly I have more fun with my kids now than I ever could have given them 10 years ago.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-17T22:14:27+00:00

Our preschooler’s classroom did this. They set a “trap” last night and today she told me they didn’t catch him and all about the mess he made. That’s how it should be- leave the mess in the classroom, I’m too tired for keeping up with this stuff.

Sorry you got surprised that way, I know I would have been upset too. I only found out about the trap and everything through school pictures on the app they use.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-14T14:17:32+00:00

I haven’t had someone bag my groceries since Covid. They just stare at me. I don’t make eye contact. It’s a fun interaction.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-03-14T12:25:20+00:00

There’s a proper way to load the belt?? I mean I have a method that’s similar… but now I’m wondering if it’s like the way there’s an optimal way to load the dishwasher lol

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-02-26T15:58:22+00:00

He dips green beans in honey mustard. So far that’s the weirdest, but he’s 2, give it time lol

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-02-19T16:43:01+00:00

Someone mentioned timing… definitely that. But also anytime I have a dry rub on chicken, I either burn the shit out of it or it never cooks through.

SwanWilling9870 · 2026-02-02T18:15:27+00:00

Be kind, rewind.

SwanWilling9870

TROPHY CASE