September 2025 Wrap Up
I'm Consistently Inconsistent
I could apologize again for missing two months, and I could promise to do better, but we all know the truth. I’m consistently inconsistent, aren’t I? It’s a flaw in my character, I suppose. I tend to become very focused on something, and then my brain fails to take notice of other things I should be doing.
What I’ve Been Up To
As I mentioned in June, I’ve been spending most of my daily hours working at my freelance writing job. I’ve been given the position of Assistant Site Manager for the lifestyles site, managing onboarding of new hires, and assisting other site managers, too.
It’s keeping me busy, and I spend at least some time working every day. If only I could manage to be so consistent with my fiction writing. The good news is that I enjoy the work. I spend a fair amount of time helping writers improve, and that’s my favorite thing about being a leader.
I resisted becoming a manager in my previous job because management in a large corporation has to deal with so much bureaucracy. There’s so much double-speak, selling change that just plain sucks, and other garbage. We don’t have that garbage to do with. It’s fantastic.
I’m so grateful to have been hire on at Total Apex Media. The stress is positively minimal (especially compared to doing customer service for a major corporation), and I’m using my true strengths here. It’s life-changing.
Mental Health is Important
I’ve been prioritizing my mental health quite a lot. There’s so much ugliness in the world (and especially right here in the U.S.). It’s difficult to deal with all of the stuff in the news sometimes. I’ll give you the same advice I’ve taken myself: Observe the news and social media in moderation. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step away and do something that makes you feel good, safe, comforted, whatever you need.
If you’re looking for my position regarding the current political situation, I’m going to disappoint you here. But I will share my personal philosophy on life. I’ve no use for those who don’t agree with these three statements.
Be Kind
Don’t Be a Dick
’An it harm none, do as ye will.’
My own mental state is all over the place, as usual. Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. I love the cooling temperature, the smell of autumn, and the changing colors of the trees. But, if you’ve been following me, you know this time of year is difficult for me now.
September is my own birthday month, October is the anniversary of my husband’s death and his birthday, and our wedding anniversary is in early November. Then, of course, there’s the holidays. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly three years since he died. Sometimes it feels like it was so recent, and sometimes it feels like it was so long ago.
I’m doing OK, but grief never fully leaves. You don’t get over it. It just changes.
On the Fiction Front
Admittedly, I haven’t written any fiction lately. And, as the year progresses towards November, I’m considering whether I’ll be participating in, let alone running, a writing event this year. I haven’t decided.
Folks who’ve read my two novels have told me they want the final book. Trust that it is never far from my mind. I think I may soon have a breakthrough on how it should go. You may be surprised to find out I’m not a planner when it comes to writing. I’m a discovery writer. So we’ll see what happens! Even I don’t know yet.
For You
My dear friends, I hope that you are well. Whatever you may be going through, know that the world is better with you in it. There is so much good you could do. If you’re having a difficult time, reach out to someone for help. Your family and friends would want you to. And, if you find that too difficult, there’s help.
My love to you all. And finally, your pet tax…
