Hello, dear UX friend

It's been a while!

In fact, you haven't heard from me since December 2022. And to be honest, I feel a bit embarrassed.

I was all like, "Come to my webinar, buy my course," and then I vanished.

Well, life happened. I bought a house with my husband, moved to the countryside, and we had a baby. Boom! Not only did life happen, it also changed dramatically.

I felt pretty confident coming back from maternity leave, back in March. I was ready to take on the UX world (again). But then, UX reality hit me hard. It was tough to find a freelance job.

And it still is.

Another embarrassing fact: I haven't had a project since before the baby (2023).

I've got one project booked for 2025, and I am still waiting for it to get started. I hate this feeling of "not being wanted."

I know from my freelance friends that they are also struggling to find work. And LinkedIn tells me that design teams are being shut down and UX designers are being laid off.

It's tough to admit, but UX is not a priority in "tough times." UX designers are dispensable. Ouch!

How has your UX life been lately? Do you see the same pattern on your side of the UX pond?

I don't know about you, but when life gets a little tough, I feel the need to do something. I need to fix it somehow.

So I've made a survival guide.

Three tips to prepare you for a potential UX recession:

1. Work strategically! I have been the only UX designer left after "a consultant freeze" because I was working on strategically important projects. You are more likely to survive when the UX budget is being cut if you work with the business strategically.
2. Spread the risk. For me as a freelancer, it means that I am looking into building multiple income streams. How can I turn my knowledge into online products that people want to buy? I need my income to be less volatile when freelance jobs are scarce.
3. Drink coffee—and keep your network alive. LinkedIn is full of coffee requests when people have lost their job, but consider keeping your contacts "warm" and go on coffee dates, also when you have a job. This way it seems less awkward to reach out if you have the need.

What these three tips mean to you, I don't know. I hope they leave some room for thought.

For me personally, I will spend more time on my online business AND spend time talking to you. I want to figure out how I can share my knowledge, working as a strategic UX designer and UX lead.

This means that I will start sending out newsletters regularly.

I will be talking about:

• What it means to work with UX strategically.
• How structure can help you advance.
• Why visual storytelling should be one of your best friends.
• How to strengthen your business mindset.

Stay tuned for more.

Until then, let me know if you have any questions or requests for specific content.

Have a great weekend!

- Christina // Design with Chris