Coffee Check-In: Two Sides of the Same Coin

After some downtime yesterday, I'm excited to continue some fun projects I'm working on! Though, there is one I'm a bit nervous about, hence today's headline 😅

I haven't gone much into the projects I've been working on since my layoff, and there are specific reasons behind that, but I hope to share more on those soon. However, there is one I can share a little about, but it may not be as exciting for most people as it is for me cause I'm a nerd. And I love that about myself, quite honestly!

Today I'll focus on finishing a blog series on social media in higher education marketing and communications for a higher education branding agency. I'm so honored that they asked me to write for them, and when I was told the parameters, I'm pretty sure my jaw was on the floor. "So, I get to write about higher education...basically any topic, and I get paid for it?!" I was so excited; I'm pretty sure the list of ideas I have could get us through the end of the year at least 🤓

I'll also be working on some content for a project I'm REALLY excited about, but I can't tell you much more than that...and that I am beyond grateful for some fantastic human beings. To get to work with them in this way is just incredible. They know who they are, and I can't wait till we can share more!

The last project I'll be working on is both more personal, yet also business-related, and the one I'm a little nervous about. The irony is I know I shouldn't be anxious, and I've been on the other side of such projects. I'm meeting with one of hubs former swimmers who started her own photography business to discuss a photo shoot for me and Chris for the business we're also working on (SO many projects! I'll divulge more as the time is right!).

As much as I was around photography and photographers growing up, most of that experience was landscape, nature, and documentary photography. That kind of thing I am at ease with; I am one with, really. It is incredibly natural to me and basically a sixth sense. Stick me in front of a camera, and I'm like, "What do I do with my hands?" (Yes, that's an Anchorman, Ron Burgundy joke I wish I couldn't relate to). I love being behind the scenes strategizing, organizing, planning...my brain loves that shit. Stick me in front of a camera, and it's like deer in the headlights.

This is why I chose Anna to work with us. We know her and her folks well; she can make me feel comfortable and laugh, which is essential because I don't want stylized and poised photos. I want as natural photographs as is possible, so now I just have to keep myself from being awkward!! Luckily, there's no one I feel more comfortable around than my husband, and there's not much more that makes him happier than being around his swim community.

It's also a bit nerve-wracking because the projects I'm working on outside of this venture with Chris are way more familiar—or at least more in my comfort zone for career moves and income. We have talked about this project since we began dating and got to work on it in a way during our first year together, but it has taken a back seat to our 9-5's. It's evolved over time as we've been together, journeying through life and dreaming about our future. And the last few years, as hubs has worked on his master's degree and I've worked in the best work environment of my career thus far (even with the layoff and the last few months before the layoff, it's still leaps and bounds beyond what I've experienced career-wise), know more than ever I believe that we can make our dream a reality. I've believed in my husband since I first spoke with him. I believe in our ideas and dreams but didn't always believe in myself. Ironically, with the layoff, I believe in myself more than ever.

Which is why I shouldn't be anxious about this dang photoshoot!!

Alright - coffee's finished. Time to get moving and get to work! Happy Friday, y'all!

This morning's coffee is a Half Caff again as I woke up around 4:15 a.m. - again needed more carbs 😅 And trust me when I say I eat. And plenty. I've changed my workout routine to add strength and muscle; even the slightest uptick makes me ravenous. Which I don't hold back on, trust me. My body just requires a lot of rest and a lot of food. So if I sleep 8 - 10 hours, sometimes I need more food to get the rest I need. I'll definitely do a blog on why I try not to do too much caffeine because of my ADHD, how working out helps my ADHD, and why my body needs so much rest and food - I promise! And if you're a She-Hulk fan like I am, I got this awesome AVONGERS mug from Etsy 😎