Well, Here I am....and here I stand.

So glad you've taken time to peruse my little corner of the internet. And, I'm THRILLED to be here. I hope you enjoy following along on this journey with me.

Yes, it's a journey. I started pivoting my career just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic after a really traumatizing professional experience in public service. It's a long story, though I will say I was in a no-win situation. You can learn a bit about my experience from one of my featured portfolio pieces, actually. It's just a snippet of the story, but enough to give some insights. Even still and through it all, I am proud of the work that I was able to accomplish and for the learning experience; it made me push myself more and helped me to become who I am today. It's in the darkness that you reconnect with your inner light and purpose.

So, writing and project management became ways that I could rebuild my self-confidence, all while rediscovering myself. In the last two and a half years, I explored different niche areas, including politics, finance, technology, data governance, and even health/wellness. I also was able to explore different types of content, from article and blog posts to video script writing to landing pages to eBooks to social copy....and more. What did I learn? Here are a few key insights I picked up along the way:

1. It's okay to hurt, be confused, and feel let down. Redirecting yourself personally and professionally is not a small feat, nor it is shameful. And candidly, given the prevalence of the Great Resignation (also known as the Great Reshuffle), more and more professionals of all ages are re-learning themselves while discovering their next chapters.

2. Leaning into how you feel is critically important to moving forward. Wanting to start something new is a great first step, however I've found that in the next chapter, it's just as important to understand the why behind the need to shift. When you explore the why you can be more intentional and focused on what you truly desire next.

3. Understand that change and growth is nonlinear. To a certain extent, it's trial and error though there is some strategy involved...well, there should be. Again, as long as you're clear on what's important to you in seeking your next step and have thought some about the direction you want to go, then you'll get there eventually.

4. Seek out trainings, mentors, and upskilling opportunities to help you along your way. Face it: you're not going to get to where you want to go all alone. And you're not the first to ever make a bold change and shift, either professionally or personally. I myself stumbled on a fulltime freelancer through Instagram in early 2020, that helped to inspire along my way. Through a couple of her courses and several conversations, I found my footing and began my journey healing...and here I am today.

5. Don't be afraid to fail as you make progress. I can't count how many times I stumbled along my journey, and I'm sure I'm not yet done doing so. Nonetheless, through every set back I got closer to what I wanted, learned more about what I didn't want, and pushed myself to learn even more so I could make needed progress. In every lesson there is a blessing of sorts....so I've learned.

These tips are just a few of the ones that have really stuck with me. I've had some challenging, yet great experiences as a freelancer and found my way into the agency world where I worked as a Senior Content Writer, and from there my career has continued to bloom. I know I'm not done learning and growing, and I'm so looking forward to more fabulous projects and connecting with those who truly understand the vibe I'm on. I've learned that I really enjoy longer form content over shorter form. And while my experience is quite diversified, I've really found my "home" in finance and technology writing...for now. My project management experience has been very enlightening and helped me to connect with communities most in need.

So, I'm continuing to take it one step (ok, so maybe two steps) at a time. My work doesn't completely define me, but it is an important part of who I am. Thank you again so much for reading along and keeping up with me. Have some thoughts to share? Check out my contact page and reach out...let's connect and encourage each other.

...and here I stand. Forward march, y'all....I'm so here for what's next.