'Oh my god, where have you BEEN?’
Twenty-one.
That’s the number of assignments I’ve received in 2017 that stemmed from personal relationships. Friends, former coworkers, acquaintances turned editors. Some I’ve known for eight years, others eight months. Another fun fact: That’s 100% percent of my assignments.
So when friends tell me they want to go freelance, I harp on the necessity of maintaining relationships over and over and…OK, you get it.
Building those relationships takes time. They might involve unanswered emails, communication lapses, “Oh my god, where have you been?” moments. Keep trying. Your interactions might be more drip-drip-drip than tsunami. But they’re worth it.
Yes, I screenshot Instagram. Because it's important to know the context of this illustration—the illustrator @bymariandrew is in the hospital with a disease that isn't allowing her to move her hands, taking away the very skill that delights her 387,000 followers. She's still trying though...I'm going to think about that today.
Friday Grab Bag
Should 15,000 steps be our new daily exercise target? First I’m going to have to get to 5,000. (h/t Blakeney Schick)
An Open Letter to Every Runner Working Through an Injury. My latest for Shape!
The Hollywood Exec and the Hand Transplant That Changed His Life. This feature by Amy Wallace is masterfully done.
And that piece led me to this other gem from her: Moving Forward with Kindness.
Thank you for reading.
Love, Kara