A year ago I was OVERWHELMED. I was working as both editor and graphic designer on an association magazine trying to put together its Winter issue; I was teaching two college-level writing courses; and I was editor for Residential Design + Build magazine. To say I was stressed is an understatement of the year.
I didn’t plan on working three jobs at once but everything seemed to fall on top of each other at the same time. I remember many days and nights working on my laptop at the kitchen table trying not to breakdown – trying to look at each step instead of the whole picture. I sure learned a lot about myself in those four months.
I love this time of year: the holidays, family time, cinnamon candle smells, comfy sweaters, chili and crockpot meals, baking, etc. I love it. It really sucked not being able to enjoy it last year. But this year, I am so looking forward to swimming in the holiday season. But as I look forward to enjoying the holidays, I’m also transitioning roles within my employer. It seems November is always the time of change for me – last year with the three jobs, and leaving Website Magazine the November before last.
As of Nov. 1, I will be community editor for a bunch of brands and saying goodbye to editor of RD+B. I enjoyed being editor this past year. It was great getting back into the design/build industry, driving a magazine toward success, implementing new ideas, meeting new people, giving talks around the U.S., etc. Through this past year, I’ve done a lot of things, and visited places I’ve never been to before. All of this adds up to more learning experiences that made me grow as a professional and person. I’m grateful for everything the past year has given me.
I am excited about this new role as community editor. It is something new to the company – and myself – so it will be interesting. I’ve taken new-to-the-company positions in the past and they were nightmares. Everyone has different expectations because there isn’t a history to rely on. You can’t say, “this person always does this because of that,” and so on. But I’m optimistic.
In the new position, I’ll be able to implement my passion for the web and social media with my favorite brands. I’ve developed a love for these brands so adding my social media/web passion seems to be an easy mix. I’ve slowly been transitioning into this new role the month of October as we launched a new website, but as I finish my last issue as editor this week, I’m looking forward to being able to put my 100 percent focus on the new responsibilities.
The one thing I’ve learned about life as I get older is that it’s an evolving thing. You can’t plan it and prepare it exactly how you want it, and it’s okay to let go. I’m learning to let go and enjoy the ride – and right now that means enjoying the transition to a new and exciting job.
