Things are good even though things are bad

Posted on July 6, 2009. Filed under: Business, Freelance Writing, Good News, Perpetual Student | Tags: Freelance Writing, Small Business, Stress, student |

Rhi goofing off on the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of working

Rhi B, goofing off on the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of working

It’s been a while (almost three months) since I posted here. My absence wasn’t intentional, it’s just that I’m busy. I’ve missed posting here and, though I probably won’t be able to keep up my former pace, I plan to post an update each Monday from here on.

First, the big news: After 14 years, I’m finally a college graduate. My diploma arrived the day before Independence Day. Now it feels official.

Immediately following graduation, several people clamored for my attention — including my husband. Trying to start a business while finishing college and interning is no joke. There were weeks where, I swear to you, I put in 80- 100 hours worth of work on homework, work-work and volunteer work. That doesn’t leave much room for anything else.

After taking a couple of weeks to find my footing, lunch with editors and catch up on my sleep, I realized I could easily stay as busy as I was before. I also realized I didn’t want to live such a hectic life anymore.

So, I’ve got a few new rules in my life.

My work day begins when my husband leaves for work and ends when he gets home, most days. I try not to work on the weekends, unless there is a news story or event to cover. I’m also trying to take more breaks — real, actual breaks where I leave the house and do something non-work related. I’m saying “no” more often. I’m also making time for the gym. So, no surprise, I’m feeling less stressed and more productive.

Currently, in addition to writing for several local media outlets, I am also volunteering for ProPublica’s “Adopt a Stimulus Project“, teaching myself some new skills and reading several books for review — among other things.

More than anything else, I’m aiming for a more balanced life.

Here’s the great news:

Things are good. Even though I’ve dramatically cut my work hours, I’m writing every day — usually for publication.

Besides an ever growing list of clips, available daily on sites like Charlotte’s Creative Loafing Clog blog or on Qcitymetro.com, a lot of what I’m doing is behind the scenes.

I’m getting organized and creating a database to help with that effort. I’m improving my skill set. I’m learning about local and national markets. And, yes, I’m working on a book (more on that later).

The really great news, though, is that my dream of trading words for dollars is a reality.

When I compare my progress to this time last year, the difference is amazing. If you look back two years, you’ll find me sitting behind a desk at an office I dreaded to enter working for people who could care less about me or my dreams. Look back three, four or five and you’ll witness moments where I was limping by along the bottom of the barrel, beaten down by bad luck and a few (really) bad decisions.

So, while I’m not a best selling author or syndicated columnist, I am proud of how far I’ve come in a short period of time. I thank my hard work and my husband’s never ending support.

It’s true, though: Times are tough

Every where you go, in every magazine or newspaper you read, you’re faced with the fact that the economy bites right now.

In the short time since I entered the freelance world, several of the publications I’ve written for have either folded, been bought by larger companies, stopped using freelancers all together or for a span of time and many of them, in each category, experienced layoffs.

Times are tough, but things are still good.

There is work out there for freelancers. There is opportunity to embrace. And, at The Word Trade, I’m so busy with client work that my personal projects — like that database or our official Web site launch — are put on the back burner.

I’m not complaining, though. I’m thrilled. I’ve overcome a lot to arrive at this moment.

Something I’ve discovered on the path to balance

I’m my own boss. (I know, you’d think that would be clear from the get go.) If the Web site is delayed or if the database takes longer than expected to complete, it’s O.K. No one is going to fire me for taking longer than anticipated to complete those projects.