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Bad Luck | Jin’s January 2025
- knowledgepostcollege
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
January really started with a bang and by that, I mean the universe clearly decided this would be my “bad luck" month. From the very beginning, things felt slightly off in the most unexpected ways. Still, I’m excited to dig into it a bit deeper and reflect on everything this month brought, chaos and all.
Lifestyle: Travel & Relationships
Before digging into all the chaos this month brought, I want to pause and focus on what I’m still deeply grateful for. Even in a so-called “bad luck” month, there are always bright spots worth holding onto moments, people, and reminders that not everything has to go right for things to still feel good.
Portland
One thing I am especially grateful for this month was getting to go to Portland with my boyfriend to celebrate our two year anniversary. We had been talking about visiting Portland for so long since neither of us had ever been, and we finally decided it was the perfect time to go. I will admit that I did not go in with the highest expectations because of all the mixed reviews, but I truly ended up falling in love with it.
Every meal we had was incredible, whether it was Italian or Thai, and the coffee scene completely exceeded my expectations. The coffee shops were unique, cozy, and full of character. Thrifting was on another level, and shopping was so much fun that it honestly made me want to flip my entire wardrobe toward more vintage pieces, especially with the added bonus of no sales tax. We also made it to the massive bookstore, which felt like it was made for me. If you know anything about me, it is that I love books, coffee, thrifting, and good food, and Portland somehow had all of it.
We originally wanted to fit in a hike, but it did not end up working with our schedule. Even so, the trip felt complete in its own way, and maybe it just gave us the perfect excuse to come back one day.
3 Years Bookclub
This month I also got to celebrate our three year anniversary with Kelsey and Mish. I still cannot believe that what started as a simple, cute idea has grown into three full years of book club. Reading together, meeting up every month, and rotating hosting duties has turned into something I truly look forward to and cherish.
I love having this little tradition to care for, and it felt especially meaningful to host the girls for our own version of Book Club Wrapped. Each year I create a recap inspired by Spotify Wrapped to reflect on all the books we read, the moments we shared, and the conversations we had. It ended up being another cozy girlies night full of yapping, laughter, and gratitude, and it reminded me how special it is to build something that continues to grow with us.
Activate
I also got to check out Activate in Culver City, which is kind of like a different version of Dave & Busters. People in a group can collaborate on various activities and games, either working together as a team or competing against each other, and it was a lot of fun. I’m especially glad I got to hang out with Kelsey, Mish, and Calvin together, and it was even more special because Calvin was visiting from New York City. It is always such a good time when we can all reunite and enjoy each other’s company.
Girlies Time
I also got to spend quality time with my OC girlies, Rachel and Crystal, and we finally made a proper girlies night happen. I wanted to do something cute yet simple, so I suggested watching the sunset since we were all free beforehand. We ended up at the beach, sipping on Philz and yapping while the sun went down, which honestly felt perfect.
We finished the night with a warm bowl of pho and then met up with the boys for pickleball. It was such a simple but full evening, and it reminded me how much I love spending intentional, quality time with the people I care about.
Double Date
I also got to go on a double date with Michelle and Peter, where we played pickleball together for the first time. It was fun to switch things up and try something new with them, especially since we usually stick to our regular routines.
After playing, we walked over to try a new restaurant called Dookki, a Korean rice cake spot I have been wanting to try for a while. Getting to experience a new place together made the night even more fun and felt like another reminder of how much I enjoy sharing new experiences with the people around me.
Coworker's Housewarming
I also got to celebrate my co-worker Abida’s housewarming, where she hosted her very own pop-up cafe. She made matcha for us and had a bunch of baked goodies, which made it feel so special and welcoming. It was fun to visit her place and spend time with our other co-worker Dianne and her husband, and I loved being able to bring my boyfriend along to mingle as well. Sipping on matcha, catching up, and yapping the afternoon away was such a simple but perfect way to enjoy time together.
Work
Work has been a little intense this month, especially with me picking up more hours and still adjusting to the reorg. I even had to bring my laptop to Portland to finish a deck, which is so out of character for me since usually if I am out of the office, I am completely out of office. I’m working hard because I want to move toward a promotion, but I still feel a bit lost navigating the new structure and am trying my best not to get burnt out.
This month we also had a brand team training where we explored each other’s working styles and discussed ways to improve the team. The day was physically tiring because it lasted the whole day and emotionally draining as we addressed some elephants in the room. It has been a bit of a challenge to figure out what comes next after such a heavy conversation.
I am focusing on trying to speak up more, position myself thoughtfully, and contribute in meaningful ways, all while making sure I take care of myself and avoid burnout.
For the fun side of work, we also got to go to Dave & Busters for our Q1 team bonding. It was so much fun playing all the different games together and just relaxing for a bit. It felt nice to step away from the usual work chaos and enjoy some time laughing and competing with the team.
Lows & Lessons:
Sick
To kick off the bad luck part of my month, I started January by getting sick. I’m not sure if it was the “deadly throat virus” that I saw so many people talking about on TikTok, but it hit me hard. My throat was sore for a whole week, I had zero energy, and it was definitely not fun. The silver lining was that I learned to truly rest and take it easy. I ended up canceling all my plans that week, going to bed around 9 or 10 p.m., and getting an average of over eight hours of sleep, which is basically unheard of for me. Nyquil became my best friend, and I spent a lot of time reflecting on how often I take my health for granted. It was a tough week, but it made me even more grateful for all the days I have a healthy body and energy to move through life.
Laundry on Fire
After finally starting to recover and feeling ready to be productive, I decided to do some laundry like a normal person. That’s when things took a turn — my laundry almost caught on fire. My roommates texted me about it since we share the laundry with the rest of the building, and the firefighters even came to check it out. Needless to say, it was not fun, but there were lessons to be learned. I also hoped that the building would finally replace the laundry machines, since they had been constantly breaking down for months anyway.
Losing Wallet
The icing on the cake was when I lost my new wallet. I had been carrying my regular everyday wallet, but the night before I had switched to a new one my mother gave me. I also decided to move all my cards over, even the ones I did not normally carry, thinking it would be smart to have everything in one place. When I got to work the next day, I realized my wallet was missing, and it never made its way back home. Losing it was truly devastating, especially because it was brand new and held so much more than just money.
Everything Going Wrong
Overall, January just was not a great month for me. Unlike other months where I would have called myself lucky girl syndrome, this month felt like the complete opposite. My bad luck seemed endless, from losing my wallet to even losing my parking ticket that I had already validated, which meant paying thirty dollars for parking at Century City Mall after watching the Spongebob movie that honestly was not even good.
By the end of it, I truly hope all the negativity from this month is gone and that only good things are coming my way. I feel like I might have already hit rock bottom, so here is to better days ahead.
Songs on Repeat:
Riptide - The ChainsmokersInsie Out - The Chainsmokers, CharleeNOT CUTE ANYMORE - ILLITMy Pick of the Month: Coffee Shops in Portland
My pick of the month has to be all the coffee shops I visited in Portland. Every single one truly hit, and each had its own unique charm. I loved the atmosphere, the drinks, and just being able to slow down and enjoy the little moments. I already find myself missing them and the simple joy of exploring each spot with my boyfriend.
Overall, this month was truly a downer for me and felt filled with constant bad luck. Looking back, I realized that some things were out of my control, while others were lessons I needed to learn. During the lows, I found myself blaming and hating myself, which only made things heavier. I eventually realized that wasn’t healthy either. Life is already hard enough, and I don’t need to be my own biggest enemy.
Instead, I’m choosing to move forward, learn from my mistakes, and give myself more grace. January of 2026 genuinely felt like years to me. I know everyone is hoping 2026 becomes the new 2016, but I’m still not sure. I guess we have the rest of the year to find out.
Talk to you next month,
-- Jin
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