Coffee Break: Burnt Out or Blessed?

Oh hey guys. What’s up? What? What’s that? Why yes, I did run a brilliant guest post by Susan Johnston in mid-April and then drop off the face of the planet. You’re absolutely right. God, I’m like the poster child for worst blogging practices ever. (By the way, did any of you buy her e-book yet?)

Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know that my grandfather died last Friday. It hit me pretty hard and, instead of working through it, I spent the past week watching TV, eating Cheez-Its, and taking Xanax. (I also sang my grandfather’s funeral mass and learned that yes, it is possible to belt out hymnals while you’re leaking tears and snot.)

Yesterday was my first day back at work. And yeah, it was a bit overwhelming. I ended the day feeling cranky, stressed out, and emotionally drained. Thinking about all the work I still had on my plate made me want to curl up in bed and pass out for the next year or so.

But then I forced myself to remember my humble freelancer beginnings, a time when I had so few projects on my plate that I spent entire days watching America’s Next Top Model marathons. And I forced myself to consider the fact that my grandfather would be super-pissed if I devolved into reclusive couch potato-dom on account of his death.

And so, here’s a look at things to come now that I’ve ruled out hibernation:

1. Over at YourTango, I’ve been tasked with launching and managing a new mommyblog. So for the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to secure bloggers, settle upon a blog name, get a logo designed, get contracts done up, draw up a production schedule, etc. I’m way excited about this project, and it’s provided me with some great insight into the relationship between editors and freelancers, all of which I plan to share with you here. The official launch date is Mother’s Day, and I’ll be shamelessly self-promoting all over the damn place.

2. Last week, I drew up a preliminary marketing plan for my coaching practice. It was sort of fun (am I a total nerd?), though also much harder and more involved than I expected. So I’ll be blogging about marketing plans and market research in the coming weeks. Excited much?

3. Speaking of my coaching practice, I’ve already announced my intention to publish an e-book by June. I’d better get cracking.

4. Speaking of e-books, I’ve spent the past few months working with someone way more impressive than me to create content for another e-book, on which I will be listed as a co-author. I’m hoping to wrap up this project within the next few weeks, and I can’t wait until I can finally reveal the finished product to you. I don’t know how many of you will be interested, as the content is sex-related, but the project was a pretty big deal to me, so of course I want to show it to everyone on the face of the planet.

5. Speaking of sex, I was telling my family about the mommyblog the other day, and my brother was all, “Is this the first non-sex-related thing you’ve done?” and I retorted, “Where do you think babies come from?” and my dad said, “Not from vibrators!” … This has nothing to do with anything. I just thought it was hilarious.

6. I’m also starting a new copy editing gig this coming Monday. For the next year, I’ll be copy editing listings for Patch.com, AOL’s local news site. This should make it possible for me to buy a house and procreate and stuff without going bankrupt.

Can you see why I’m feeling a little bit overwhelmed?

How many times have you felt the urge to hibernate rather than face your workload?

Comments

  1. Steph, I give you major kudos for balancing all of this AND for singing at your grandfather’s mass on top of it all! When my Dad died, I read a poem at the memorial service, but every time I tried to sing a group hymn, my throat would close up and NOTHING came out. This lasted for a good month.

    Can’t wait to hear about all the exciting new projects you have in store. But don’t forget to breathe and take care of yourself, especially if you’re trying to conceive later this year. 🙂

  2. I love your family discussion re #5. So sorry to hear about your grandfather!

  3. Sheryl says:

    Yes, number 5 is the winner!
    Sorry about your grandfather – but know he would be way proud of you for picking yourself up and involving yourself in so many interesting projects.

Leave a Reply to Sheryl Cancel reply

*