Always love reading your posts! A twice flooded bathroom would have me spiraling 🙃 I can relate to just wanting to plan a trip somewhere and just get away. I have dreams to travel more, but the 'where do I go, how do I get there, where do I stay' logistics always get overwhelming haha.
What you said about wanting to be able to share from a place of abundance and excitement reminded me of an astrology reading I had done where the astrologer said if I had more Libra placements, she'd tell me to write about how wonderful life is, but alas I do not have any Libra placements and instead I must write about the depths of life that no one ever wants to talk about lol. So I appreciate you talking about the depths of life!
Catherine, I actually LOLed at "alas I do not have any Libra placements and instead I must write about the depths of life." 😂 *Runs to check my placements* As far as I can tell from my limited understanding of astrology, I, too, do not have any Libra placements 💀
If you ever need someone to point you in a travel direction, I will almost always say Scotland and I will overwhelm you with ideas and logistics and itineraries! Just say the word ;)
I miss your writing (and YOU), friend. Bring on the depths of life!
Ah Scotland, the one place in the UK I haven't visited! I do love Outlander so I will definitely lodge this idea into my brain. And if you ever happen to need someone for astrology insights, I have somehow become that person for my friends over the past couple of years lmao
Marissa, your creativity and resourcefulness are shining through even in the midst of chaos! Sewing your own outfits for the Ren Faire and the JASNA conference? That's not just impressive, it's downright inspiring. I can practically see you rocking that corset and chemise like a Renaissance queen and channeling your inner Bridgerton belle at the ball. And the fact that you're exploring a new business venture and contemplating a rebrand? Talk about turning lemons into lemonade! I'm so excited to see what you create in this next chapter.
Alexander! This is so kind of you. Thank you for cheering me on and "seeing" me in this season. Even though life doesn't quite look the way I had imagined or hoped at this stage, I am finding these small pockets of shininess and that helps.
As you already know, I am *here* for any and all writing you do on the subject of portfolio careers. In the meantime, I really need to dig deeper into Anna's work on the subject!
I really appreciated your reflection on the two-year mark post-diagnosis, especially the part where you acknowledged: "No wonder I’m not perfectly healed and thriving" given the long list of life/medical events that preceded that statement! I'm guilty of this too, but it's wild how high we set the bar for ourselves...when in reality, simply *getting through* these things is 100% worthy of celebration.
Also: you made a CORSET?! I was already wildly impressed by your sewing skills, but this is just...beyond.
Thank you so much, Maddie. It's true that we often set such a high bar for ourselves in our healing and recovery, but I also know it's not really coming from a place of "should," at least for me. It's out of pure desire and readiness—like my mind and my being is already "there" but my body still has to catch up (and sometimes vice versa) and it's so disorienting! When you go through something as hard as we have, we don't want to sacrifice more to it than is required; it can feel so cruel when you see the tentacles extend farther and deeper than you ever imagined. And yet...it's so true that just getting through all of that calls for celebration upon celebration. I don't often like to use fighting language for this kind of thing, but we truly are warriors.
Also, thank you so much re: corset! It's not boned, because I'm not a sadist (maybe down the road LOL), but I am proud of it! I had to pivot a bit to make it fit but it works! Can't wait to show you!
I can relate to the having a bunch of tabs open, lol. It's a challenge to juggle health issues and career and life all at once. What is your full time job now? Glad you're still able to hold a positive perspective on things and to fit in fun stuff :) I recently started an online program with a holistic health practitioner I've been following for a couple years (it's for gut issues). Hoping it helps me. I know I mentioned in a comment for a previous post that I'm on disability...while that does take some of the pressure off for me not having to work, I still try to keep a toe in the water regarding career stuff and what I might do if/when the government deems me no longer disabled. I guess I'm lucky to have family to support me. I live with my sister (so I can also relate to the being single at our age thing). Hope you have a great fall season!
Hi Marianne! I've been working as the Lead Content Writer in Academic Affairs for iPEC (the coaching org I got certified through) for about 4.5 years now! I'm developing curriculum and trainings for our community of thousands of coaches around the globe. It's been a really great full-circle moment for me with my education background.
I know you understand this challenging season more than most! I am crossing all of my fingers and toes that this holistic program works well for you. I swear that those with chronic or unexplained illnesses are PhD-level researchers out of necessity 🙃 What, if anything, comes up for you as a potential option for future career?
That’s a cool job you have :) I don’t know what I might do. (In the past I was an English tutor and I tried getting into the health field but didn’t have much success). I can identify with people who decide to help others overcome similar struggles that they’ve overcome themselves…but I know there are pros and cons to that. And then there’s striking a balance between not having your whole identity wrapped up in your career, yet liking your job enough that it doesn’t kill you, lol. And yes, very true about people being PhD level researchers out of necessity!
I nodded my head at so many things you just shared! I think anyone who pursues a business, side hustle, or job in a "helping" modality might share those concerns and questions—I know I did/have! It sounds like your past work experiences have taught you some valuable lessons about what you enjoy and what doesn't work so well, but it can be hard to sift through how those experiences might show up in a new path as the version you are today.
That part you said about the balance between not making your career your whole identity but also finding enough satisfaction in it is something I think I've had a bit of an "a ha" moment around recently as it relates to portfolio careers. I'll probably share more about this at some point, but having my Substack and spreading out the places where I can express my creativity publicly and not making my business (or job) my center for EVERYTHING (finances, security, meaningful work, creative expression, connection, etc etc etc) is actually giving me the opportunity to be less precious about business and work, which is giving me a lot more freedom to explore. TBD on how this all *actually* plays out but I think there's something important in there!
Always love reading your posts! A twice flooded bathroom would have me spiraling 🙃 I can relate to just wanting to plan a trip somewhere and just get away. I have dreams to travel more, but the 'where do I go, how do I get there, where do I stay' logistics always get overwhelming haha.
What you said about wanting to be able to share from a place of abundance and excitement reminded me of an astrology reading I had done where the astrologer said if I had more Libra placements, she'd tell me to write about how wonderful life is, but alas I do not have any Libra placements and instead I must write about the depths of life that no one ever wants to talk about lol. So I appreciate you talking about the depths of life!
Catherine, I actually LOLed at "alas I do not have any Libra placements and instead I must write about the depths of life." 😂 *Runs to check my placements* As far as I can tell from my limited understanding of astrology, I, too, do not have any Libra placements 💀
If you ever need someone to point you in a travel direction, I will almost always say Scotland and I will overwhelm you with ideas and logistics and itineraries! Just say the word ;)
I miss your writing (and YOU), friend. Bring on the depths of life!
Ah Scotland, the one place in the UK I haven't visited! I do love Outlander so I will definitely lodge this idea into my brain. And if you ever happen to need someone for astrology insights, I have somehow become that person for my friends over the past couple of years lmao
Marissa, your creativity and resourcefulness are shining through even in the midst of chaos! Sewing your own outfits for the Ren Faire and the JASNA conference? That's not just impressive, it's downright inspiring. I can practically see you rocking that corset and chemise like a Renaissance queen and channeling your inner Bridgerton belle at the ball. And the fact that you're exploring a new business venture and contemplating a rebrand? Talk about turning lemons into lemonade! I'm so excited to see what you create in this next chapter.
Alexander! This is so kind of you. Thank you for cheering me on and "seeing" me in this season. Even though life doesn't quite look the way I had imagined or hoped at this stage, I am finding these small pockets of shininess and that helps.
As you already know, I am *here* for any and all writing you do on the subject of portfolio careers. In the meantime, I really need to dig deeper into Anna's work on the subject!
I really appreciated your reflection on the two-year mark post-diagnosis, especially the part where you acknowledged: "No wonder I’m not perfectly healed and thriving" given the long list of life/medical events that preceded that statement! I'm guilty of this too, but it's wild how high we set the bar for ourselves...when in reality, simply *getting through* these things is 100% worthy of celebration.
Also: you made a CORSET?! I was already wildly impressed by your sewing skills, but this is just...beyond.
Thank you so much, Maddie. It's true that we often set such a high bar for ourselves in our healing and recovery, but I also know it's not really coming from a place of "should," at least for me. It's out of pure desire and readiness—like my mind and my being is already "there" but my body still has to catch up (and sometimes vice versa) and it's so disorienting! When you go through something as hard as we have, we don't want to sacrifice more to it than is required; it can feel so cruel when you see the tentacles extend farther and deeper than you ever imagined. And yet...it's so true that just getting through all of that calls for celebration upon celebration. I don't often like to use fighting language for this kind of thing, but we truly are warriors.
Also, thank you so much re: corset! It's not boned, because I'm not a sadist (maybe down the road LOL), but I am proud of it! I had to pivot a bit to make it fit but it works! Can't wait to show you!
Cannot WAIT to see it 🤩
Yes to absolutely every (extremely beautiful and nuanced) thing you said here, Marissa! ❤️
Thank you for the shoutout and for sharing some of your story ❤️
Thanks Anna! I really appreciate you subscribing and leaving a comment of support :)
Love your writing! Excited to read more.
I can relate to the having a bunch of tabs open, lol. It's a challenge to juggle health issues and career and life all at once. What is your full time job now? Glad you're still able to hold a positive perspective on things and to fit in fun stuff :) I recently started an online program with a holistic health practitioner I've been following for a couple years (it's for gut issues). Hoping it helps me. I know I mentioned in a comment for a previous post that I'm on disability...while that does take some of the pressure off for me not having to work, I still try to keep a toe in the water regarding career stuff and what I might do if/when the government deems me no longer disabled. I guess I'm lucky to have family to support me. I live with my sister (so I can also relate to the being single at our age thing). Hope you have a great fall season!
Hi Marianne! I've been working as the Lead Content Writer in Academic Affairs for iPEC (the coaching org I got certified through) for about 4.5 years now! I'm developing curriculum and trainings for our community of thousands of coaches around the globe. It's been a really great full-circle moment for me with my education background.
I know you understand this challenging season more than most! I am crossing all of my fingers and toes that this holistic program works well for you. I swear that those with chronic or unexplained illnesses are PhD-level researchers out of necessity 🙃 What, if anything, comes up for you as a potential option for future career?
That’s a cool job you have :) I don’t know what I might do. (In the past I was an English tutor and I tried getting into the health field but didn’t have much success). I can identify with people who decide to help others overcome similar struggles that they’ve overcome themselves…but I know there are pros and cons to that. And then there’s striking a balance between not having your whole identity wrapped up in your career, yet liking your job enough that it doesn’t kill you, lol. And yes, very true about people being PhD level researchers out of necessity!
I nodded my head at so many things you just shared! I think anyone who pursues a business, side hustle, or job in a "helping" modality might share those concerns and questions—I know I did/have! It sounds like your past work experiences have taught you some valuable lessons about what you enjoy and what doesn't work so well, but it can be hard to sift through how those experiences might show up in a new path as the version you are today.
That part you said about the balance between not making your career your whole identity but also finding enough satisfaction in it is something I think I've had a bit of an "a ha" moment around recently as it relates to portfolio careers. I'll probably share more about this at some point, but having my Substack and spreading out the places where I can express my creativity publicly and not making my business (or job) my center for EVERYTHING (finances, security, meaningful work, creative expression, connection, etc etc etc) is actually giving me the opportunity to be less precious about business and work, which is giving me a lot more freedom to explore. TBD on how this all *actually* plays out but I think there's something important in there!