Yesterday was a day to remember. Not just because of the magic of catching up with friends, but because there was a significant development in my second, no, fourth (I think) career.
For those who don't know, I did that awful thing they call pivot during Covid. I didn't have a choice. Pivot sounds like a quick change, but in my case, it was more like turning the Titannic. Continuing with the clichés and bad analogies: behind every overnight success is years of slog and hard work. So it is here. After abandoning my then day job, I started this which lockdown and the plummeting economic situation relegated to a side hustle. Along with what I do for the McGregor market, and which was supposed to have been just a fun hobby.
I had a futile foray into the world of online English teaching before turning my back on that, and looking to my first love: writing. With a bit lot of research on the side. The research has been part of the ongoing quest for decently paying gigs - a story for another time - as well as for paying clients (I kid you not).
I've had to be disciplined.
I've been used, abused, ignored and let down.
I've had to develop a hide.
I've also had to learn to have confidence in my skills and abilities.
Again.
It's been a long, hard slog: writing on topics outside my comfort zone and which don't come easily; for a pittance. I've done it and in the process, worked almost 24/7 and built a substantial portfolio.
Over the last six months I've had regular writing work from a particular client. This is month seven. Last month, they started making noises about changing roles and more work, but then, suddenly it was all hurry up and wait. I did. Appreciating that they had RL issues with moving house, town and with it, the business. I treaded water. Patiently. Sort of. Until yesterday.
We had our regular catch up and suddenly, everything fell into place and by the end of the day, still freelance, I'm part of a team, working for a client that's aiming to use nearly all of my available time. Not just writing, but doing some of the work involved in doing the right writing for the company and clients. The kind of work I love. So, let me introduce:
One of the job titles we seriously considered but abandoned - for obvious reasons - was: Backroom Girl. Technically it's true: my work is remote and mostly in the background which is how I like it.
The Husband's comment, tongue firmly in his cheek and with a twinkle in his eye -
So, you've graduated from Ice Maiden to Polar Bear......
I'll take it - all of it - because I like and respect the Polar Bears with whom I've been working for the last half year, and, it seems the feelings are entirely mutual.
Patience and trust paid off.
What a treat! It was a double celebration with friends we've not seen for about a year (happily more because of work than any other reason). We joined them for supper in the cottage where they're staying and which they're photographing.
They're the photographers responsible for the picture that appears in the footer of every post (follow that link for more about their work). This job is in collaboration with Destination McGregor (one of the aforementioned side hustles).
The deliciousness of both a meal and the sharing happy news around the table cannot be beaten. Our turn to host them on Wednesday. More of that, of course, in due course...
In life, I continue to learn, and as my current major client's payoff line suggests, [it] is all about perspective.
That is one of the happy snaps Selma took yesterday, and which she shared on her social media. It speaks to me, not just about the apparently happy ears of the bunny rabbit, but the pretty view between them. It - life - most definitely is all about the perspective.
I plan, for the forseeable future to keep mine, probably from between the ears of one of three felines, rosy.
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
@artywink
@hive.blog and Canva.