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Dear Readers,
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 1/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
I know I’ve been a little quiet this year. I accepted a new job in February and
I’ve been busy preparing for it ever since. This is a job I’ve wanted my whole
life, but also one I’m also terrified of.
Qualifications:
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 2/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
been an easy journey, so this post is dedicated to all the moms to be that
occasionally feel a little lost and scared.
The timelines for motherhood have shifted over the last 50 years.
Motherhood used to be something women take on in the late teens or early
20s. Nowadays, average age of first time moms in cities like SF and NY is in
the early 30s. We have had more than 10 years to build a full life outside of
being a mom and have developed both our careers and personal interests.
For me that’s meant a busy and fulfilling career as a product leader and a
passion for fitness, food, and travel. So when we found out we were going to
be parents in October, I had some hard questions for myself?
First, what is happening and will happen to my body? OMG, will it ever be
the same again? Is this safe to eat/do? Is this too much or too little?
Most of these conversations were internal dialogues with myself, often late
at night when I couldn’t sleep. Occasionally, my poor husband got to hear
these wonderful streams of thought… I just want to say, it’s okay to feel a
little scared. The life and identity we’ve spent 10 years+ building is about to
change. It was especially hard during the first trimester when very few
people knew about the pregnancy but my body was going through the most
intense set of changes. (Hormones ramping up, placenta forming, soreness,
etc)
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 3/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
The thing that helped me the most when I was feeling anxious or a bit out of
control was thinking about all the things I’m grateful for.
First how thankful I am that I’m healthy and the baby is healthy.
How lucky I was to have great friends who are a couple years ahead of me
in this journey who gives me the best lists/advice.
How great it was that we are financially stable and have lots of options.
Your list will probably look different but if you’re in a worry loop. Try this:
take 5 deep breath as slowly and as evenly as possible. List at least 3 reasons
you’re feeling lucky/grateful/happy related to your pregnancy. It always made
me feel better :).
I spent quite a bit of time judging myself during the last 9 months. I obsessed
about my eating/exercise habits, the changes to my body, and my
energy/patience on any given day. It doesn’t help that even before
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 4/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
motherhood begins, the world has opinions. Well intentioned opinions like
whether I should have coffee or if I can have a sip of my husband’s wine at
dinner or eat sushi in Japan.
I wish I could tell you that there was a magical moment when I just stopped
judging and feeling judged. This one is hard. Here’s a few things that helped
me.
Spend time with moms who are on kid #2 or #3. They have the most
practical advice and will tell you not to waste your energy worrying.
Plan self care as seriously as the nursery. For example: I started baking
once a week and what I baked became my dessert/carb indulgence. It
satisfied my nesting instincts and sweet tooth.
Don’t Google everything. The internet is a trap in this case. There’s a lot of
strongly worded and conflicting advice, it’ll just make you feel worse.
The best part of being pregnant has been discovering just how generous
everyone is and how much my friends, family, and coworkers are rooting for
me to succeed. Some are old friends who are excited to welcome me to the
mom club. Some are strangers in online communities like Main Street Mama
or MinT. I’ve gotten help from these groups for everything from simple
advice about diapers to free training to help prepare my dog for a new baby.
(Yes I’m worried about that, he’s been part of the family for 8 years now.)
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 5/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
Going through our baby shower gifts and writing thank you cards made me a
little bit teary in a good way. Enjoy it, feel grateful, and aww over the cute
baby clothing that she’ll probably only wear once before they’re too small :).
5. Let Go: Plan but be comfortable when the best laid plans go awry
At work, I started planning for my mat leave in June (I’m due in October). I
had a detailed plan written up for everything from people management to
roadmaps to strategy to cross functional processes I led/supported. I wanted
my team to barely miss a beat while I was gone. But of course the week
before my leave, my best laid plans went awry and we scrambled a bit. The
plans were not useless, they helped me and the team understand what gaps
needed to be covered and who can step in. So my point is plan but expect
things to change and learn to let go when it’s no longer useful.
At week 37, the baby could be here tomorrow or a month from now. At this
point I’m just enjoying the journey and the luxury of some free time before I
start my new job.
To all the moms and moms to be out there, I hope this helps a little.
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 6/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 7/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
Rose
1. Rent the Runway subscription: great way to feel good and have fun with
your pregnancy wardrobe.
https://medium.com/@roseyao/preparing-for-my-new-job-7453adc8c60f 8/12
3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
2.7K Followers
I spent the last 16+ years building products mostly at FB and Google. Also a food, travel,
and fitness addict. Follow me @dozenrose or on www.roseyao.com
6 min read · Sep 18, 2016 6 min read · May 17, 2017
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Rose Yao
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3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
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3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
Lists
The Real Truth Behind “Old Money” Empathy Above All: Assume
Old money has no money Positive Intent with yourself and…
[Part #2 of 5 in Essential Pillars of Strong
Leadership]
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3/25/24, 1:45 PM Preparing for my new job. Dear Readers, | by Rose Yao | Medium
· 3 min read · Dec 14, 2022 · 7 min read · May 12, 2023
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