Years ago, after I finished my Master’s degree, I felt the urge to write remain with me. This blog offered a space to do so. It was deeply fulfilling to document my thoughts. My interest in ‘gamifying’ audience engagement also led me to a practical career pivot – learning about digital marketing, e-commerce, and all attendant SEO and paid advertising considerations.

As a consequence, I worked for seven years with digital marketing agencies. The daily focus on client’s digital content burned away my excitement towards writing my own blog. While this blog rusted with disuse, I still journaled privately with pen and paper. This steadfast part of my life has remained very consistent through all life’s seasons.

Today I occupy a strange moment in time, both broadly within the world and within my own life. The world is on fire; both literally due to our wildfire season in Canada this summer and figuratively with AI accelerating existing pressures in geopolitical systems.

I have not had a 9-to-5 in a little over four months. This time has afforded me opportunities for reflection never before experienced in my adult life. For most of my life, I have identified my existence, personhood, and worldview as being one and the same as my day job. Who I was determined by what I was when I sat down at my desk each day.

Recently, however, I did a deep dive into my calendar and project list from the year. I saw my priorities very clearly – waking early to box at SydFIT, lift heavy at Move Strong, or run with a group of dedicated ladies who accelerated both my confidence and cardio capacity. I scheduled boxing and half marathon competitions that pushed my mental and emotional abilities. I retained my monthly therapy sessions with Madison Klie to navigate new and unfamiliar territory within myself. I took on fun projects like rebranding and relaunching The Scar Connection website. All while living full-time in my trailer with my cat, Paulie.

Perhaps what surprised me the most about this time was a count of 34 coffee networking chats; roughly eight a month, or two every week. I saw clearly – not for the first time, but with greater understanding – that I have a deeply embedded and nourishing network of people that care about me. Not for my job title. They care about who I am when I sit across from them, as a human being.

Although I have not actively blogged here in years, this seemed an opportune moment to come back to it with a different view.

I am not a digital marketer looking to add keywords and drive more views.

I’m a human being who has found a meaningful purpose in existing and connecting with other humans over my favourite beverage (coffee).

I look forward to buffing out the rust on this blog and documenting more of my experiences through this strange and perilous time in the world. For those reading, I look forward to staying in touch and perhaps catching up in person with you over coffee.