What I Learned in 2023

It’s February, but I’m still reflecting on last year. My husband, Nate, and I welcomed our son, Grayson Wyatt Fisher, to the world on November 7, 2023, and since then I’ve been trying to take things one day at a time. So, 2024 isn’t rolling hard yet? Deep breath. That’s okay. 

At the beginning of each year, I like to think about what I’ve learned and what I look forward to learning – how I hope to grow. Last year I learned that people LIKE ME!

Okay, not exactly like Sally, but I did learn how strong my relationships are with my clients. I was apprehensive about taking a maternity leave. As a freelancer and independent business owner, I’m not entitled to job-protected leave the way a typical employee would be, so I was nervous to tell my clients that I wouldn’t be available for several months. 

But not only did no one make a stink about it, most of them were really excited for me. They’ve even been asking me to share photos. I really thought that in a professional setting, people would only be interested in when the work would get done and not care anything about what’s otherwise happening in my life. I feel more in community with my clients than I did before – or perhaps I’m just now realizing it. 

Of course, I didn’t just say, “Hey, I’m having a baby, see you when I see you!” Before I shared my news with clients, I found colleagues who could fill in for me on projects that were already in progress or on tap. This way I wasn’t leaving clients in the lurch. And I learned that I don’t always have to handle all the things all by myself. I’d had the idea of delegating work in my mind for a while, and having a baby pushed me to do it. Now that I’ve had the experience – and a small stable of trusted colleagues – I feel like I have more room, more flexibility. I can bring backup people on board and actually take real breaks when I need to. Maybe I could even plan a family vacation and – drum roll, please – not take my laptop. Amazing, right? I’m thinking about what other possibilities this can open up for me and my business.

And as for what I hope to learn? Like I said at the beginning, I’ve been trying to take things one day at a time. That isn’t easy – or especially comfortable – for me. I like to have a plan. But apparently, infants don’t always have the greatest respect for plans. Who’d’ve thought, right? So this year I’d like to learn how to take each day as it comes, and how to give myself the grace to be okay with that. My theme word for 2024 is “allow,” and I look forward to talking with you about that soon.