120. Daily Q&A

A reminder that being curious is often the best way to feel close to the people you love. 

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

Nora: I’m Nora McInerny and this is it’s going to be okay. This podcast is a group project where oops, that’s my sunglasses clicking. Sorry. 

This podcast is a group project where every day we try to find something. Okay. Out in the world and bring it to you. And a lot of times, it’s you bringing it to us and then us sharing it with you. Like this submission. Okay. You can share your okay. Things with us by calling us the phone numbers in our description, you can record a voice memo and send it to us or. You can email us. 

And today’s okay. Thing. Came to our inbox. 

In January, I made a significant life decision. As I decided to leave my full-time job. I didn’t have anything else lined up, but I knew my current situation wasn’t serving me any longer. For the health and wellbeing of myself and my family. It was time to walk away. I absolutely needed to leave this toxic situation. And haven’t regretted that choice once. But one of the things that scared and saddened me about leaving. Was losing connections with good people. One of the brightest lights in the mess was the team of two women. I supervised. As a team, we met weekly on Wednesday afternoons. And as part of that meeting, we rotated asking a question of the group. It could be anything. And it was just a chance to get to know one another. Looking back. This portion of the meeting always took much longer than expected. However it was where we truly connected and strengthened our relationships, not just as coworkers, but friends. One of the most memorable meetings was the one where we unearthed our shared childhood. And let’s be real adult. Obsession. With. American girl dolls. By the end of February, all three of us had left that team and we’re on two different things. Again, it was absolutely the right decision for each of us, but it was really difficult to have to give up working together. I especially found myself missing that Wednesday connection time. We did maintain a group text after we left. And then one day a question popped up just like the ones from those weekly meetings. 

What would your eight year old self think of where you are in life right now? We each dutifully answered with our reflections. And then another day another question came and then another and another, these questions have now become a regular feature. Of our text chain. There’s no obligation to send or reply to them on any schedule, but I find myself so excited when those questions and answers come in. Or when I think of a query, I want to pose to our group. Some recent highlights of our Q and a. What is your favorite color and what would you name it? If it were a nail Polish? Damn, that’s good. What is your preflight ritual? What is an event or party you attended as a kid that you wish you could do again as an adult? What song always puts you in a good mood. If you could do anything. And not fail. What would it be? These questions have allowed me to get to know my former coworkers turn dear friends in such a unique and different way. These aren’t topics that come up in regular conversation. Through these questions, our discussions have gone in Ana in unexpected directions. As we’ve shared dreams, fears, loves, and challenges. I know these friends on a level different than any others. And I’ve told them things I’ve never shared anywhere else. I love that this is what our communication has evolved into as we remain connected. As I think back to those weekly meetings. I love that the enduring piece is these questions. Yes, we did great work together, but more than that, We truly learned about one another. In a workplace that wasn’t always supportive of who we were and what we wanted to do. We carved out space. To just be ourselves. And be celebrated for that. This was what I was afraid to lose. And I’m so grateful. It has endured. It’s going to be okay. Because jobs can give you more than some lines on a resume. Relationships can last long after jobs. And people always matter so much more. Than any project. Or accomplishment. And there’s always a friend out there. Really interested. And willing. To listen to what you have to say. On literally any topic. 

And then we can just put standard. Credits. And after I say this, I loved this email. I love this Q and a. I love these questions. What would I name a nail Polish? That was something that I spent. Months of middle school on my cousin and I made up a nail Polish brand. And we would mix nail polishes together and name them. And I wish I could remember any of the names. I’m sure they were all very dramatic and I wish I could remember the name of that company. We were just little budding entrepreneurs. Working with. Crusty crusty nail Polish that had been in the back. Of our linen closets. That’s where my mom kept her as at least for a long time. 

Um, Anyways. Great questions. Great. Q and a, and I really, I want to know the, I want to know these answers for everybody that I know. So thanks for sending it in. That’s more than okay good job you understood the assignment and you get in a.