Happy Friday. And gaining some clarity.

A friend recently asked me how I’ve changed most since becoming a parent. Oh boy. That list could go on and on. But if I had to kind of summarize how I feel since Mimi came into our lives, it’s that I feel a lot clearer in my head. The constant struggle to find time to do simple things like read a good novel, complete errands, do some work, and oh, yes, stay awake is one that has forced me to be more efficient. At least, more efficient than I was previously.

When Mimi was about three months old, I had this naive idea that I could pretty much return to the way my life as a freelance writer was prior to becoming a mother. I accepted the fact that I probably wouldn’t attend as many networking events or see clients as frequently for lunches and the like. As a new work-at-home-mother I knew that I’d have to reduce my professional workload, too. That was fine.

What I was unprepared for was the sudden shift in the nature of my work that I would take. Well, not all that sudden; I’ve been writing audio and visual scripts for many years, now, but I started to feel an urge to specialize a lot more than I had previously. As much as I enjoy reporting, it’s kind of hard to seek out and take assignments with a new baby and no regular sitter/nanny. And as much as I enjoy copywriting, I realized that the work I’ve always undertaken with zeal has always been scriptwriting. Just in case you’ve been, you know, wondering why I’m writing all this stuff about writing for video here, well, there ya go.

To my cherished friends and clients for whom I write scintillating copy, don’t worry: I’m sticking with you as long as you’ll have me! But finally, after a few months of fogginess (how a tiny, helpless little thing such as a baby can have that power over you…) I feel clearer about where I’m going. It’s a good feeling.

Have an excellent weekend.

Tagged as: baby, balance, copywriting, freelance, life, reporting, scriptwriting, work