Dear Luz #4

Our advice columnist, local comedian Luz Michelle, is here to solve all your problems, big and small. And she does it all with her signature combination of humor and empathy.

Dear Luz,

Hey girl! I love your advice column, and I feel like we’d be great friends IRL. You seem like the type of person who found her superpower and is doing what she loves. I’d like to do the same. I currently work in finance, and while the money is good, the job is B-O-R-I-N-G! I want to do something that’s more me; I want to do something that I love. Any advice for how I can figure out my superpower and switch careers?

– Bored and uninspired 

Dear Bored,

First, thanks for the compliment. I’m blushing behind my computer screen.

Second, I totally get where you’re coming from. Finance can be a real snooze fest. But before you quit your job and join the circus, take some time to figure out what you really love. What are your passions? What makes you happy? What would you do if money wasn’t an issue? Once you’ve answered those questions, start researching careers that align with your interests. And if all else fails, just become a professional beach bum. That seems like a pretty sweet gig to me. But seriously, switching careers can be scary, yet it’s also exciting. Just remember to take it one step at a time and believe in yourself. You got this!

Dear Luz,

I’ve always liked interior design, and I’ve done small projects for many of my friends. I was recently introduced to a friend of a friend who wants my help. When I went to her house, I was shocked – she has terrible taste! It’s like she found the worst parts of Italian, French and beach styles and blended them together. The thing is, she really likes her home, and she just wants my help picking out a new sofa and dining table. I want to help her – a job is a job, but I’m afraid that if anyone sees her home and thinks that I helped with that, no one will ever hire me again. What should I do?

– Designer with taste

Dear Designer,

Oh dear, it sounds like you’ve stumbled upon the interior design equivalent of Frankenstein’s monster! It’s always tough when someone’s taste is (ahem) not in alignment with your own, shall we say? But hey, at least she likes her home, right? As for your reputation, well, let’s just say that if you can’t handle a challenge like this, maybe you’re in the wrong business. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up creating a new design trend…Tuscan-Parisian palm trees, anyone? So go ahead and pick out that sofa and dining table – find things that are just as “interesting” as the rest of their decor. And remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…even if that beholder has very questionable taste!

Dear Luz,

My best friend just moved away, and I’m lonely. I work full-time in Manhattan, and when I’m home, I want to spend that time with my family, not going to PTO meetings to meet other moms. It’s really hard to make friends as an adult, especially when I’m not around during the day for “lunch with the girls” or whatever the stay-at-home moms do. Please tell me how to make new friends.

– Friendless and lonely

Dear Friendless,

First and foremost, I LOVE making new friends! Let’s do lunch soon (on a weekend, of course).

Second, I am so sorry to hear about your bestie. My BFF and I began a long-distance relationship over six years ago, and I pinkie promise you will stay just as close.

Here’s the good news: this is an opportunity for personal development and growth (gross, I know). And it doesn’t involve PTO meetings or anything else you deem torturous. But finding your tribe will require you to make the first move.

Call up the women you think you’d like and ask them to meet you for a drink after work or set up a boozy Sunday brunch. (My absolute favorite!! Thank you, I’d love to join!) But also do the not-awful things where you can meet new people (volunteer for weekend events at the school, go to birthday parties, research community gatherings, join a book club, etc.).

Then, pick and choose who you want to spend your free mom time with. Yes, it’s really that simple. Now go create the life YOU WANT!

Dear Luz,

My kids are really athletic, which is great for them, but it’s not for me. My weekends are spent in the bleachers, watching game after game after game, and I hate it. While I want my kids’ teams to win, I really don’t care about baseball or football or wrestling. But if I’m not at their games, then I’ll be the only parent who doesn’t support their kids. How do I get through these awful, seemingly endless, sports-filled weekends?

– Wishing I had nerdy kids

Dear Wishing,

Mama, sit back and relax – I have the secret ingredient for your peace! Sharing our weekends with our kids’ activities can be pure torture, especially in the early morning. (Yes, I said that aloud. WHAT IS THAT EVEN ABOUT?!)  It is time to get more family and friends involved. Call them up and make your pitch: tell them how MUCH your kids miss them and how catching one of their weekend practices/games is the BEST way to spend time with them.  Create a calendar, and fill those sporting events with loving friends and family. Then, go enjoy your weekends again, especially HAPPY hour!!!

Disclaimer: It’s okay to laugh – this is a humor column! We welcome your Dear Luz questions, but we’re legally obligated to say this is not a substitute for real advice by professionals.