A slowly recovering patience

Amelia took a vacation week this week so I returned, momentarily, to the role of layout editor. This same week I took on the role of reporter also as I covered three important events alongside an exciting, cold, football game Saturday. I really enjoyed the events I wrote about this week, the conversations which took place and the people I was blessed to spend time alongside. 

 

I admit, these past three and half years of running dual newspapers has/had taken a toll on me. These past few months of Amelia putting the newspaper together have given me perspective I didn’t have. My patience was gone and is still recovering. I love people and the business and will continue to do whatever I can to ensure the newspapers keep printing. After three years, though, the strain, combined with a health difficulty, was becoming difficult. 

 

I hurt, both physically and mentally.

 

Physically my body has punished me for the many, many hours spent leaning over a computer. My hands hurt every day. Tendonitis is the worst in my left thumb which aches daily. My left side, the rib area stretching to my back has not stopped aching every day for nearly three years. 

 

I sent a similar message to the one below to Amelia which I will share with you. The context is she is also working another job while also continuing her roles with the newspaper here. 

 

If I were in your shoes I would be excited for this additional job opportunity. I know I was excited in much the same way when I decided to start the Pioneer.

 

What I learned after taking on the additional work were:

 

1. For me, working every day is easier and less stressful than forcing myself to take a day off. I simply do work every day. Some things are required. Other work I do right away or procrastinate to give myself a rest.

 

2. Burnout looks different for everyone.

 

I was told by everyone I would burn out. The only, and I mean only, bit that ever felt draining was the physical pains I’ve had as a result–back pain and what feels like permanent damage from the infinite amount of bad posture from sitting at a desk. 

 

Tendonitis in both my thumbs from excessive writing and note taking (on my phone) during my years reporting. (Thank you, especially to every group or organization or event planner who provides me with a copy of a speech, program, etc.) 

 

3. Health in all aspects needs to be a priority. This means doing things that are good for oneself. Sleeping enough. Not sacrificing family moments. Don’t forget to live life. Being a journalist is a life of sacrifice. We just have to choose where and when we’re comfortable with it.

 

For Deb Bently (News Editor), I make it very clear I never want her to miss her retirement goals and trips. I allow her to work remotely and when she's gone we cover her stories (or she does them in advance). But she literally has never taken a week off from editing the paper outside of the week we’re closed at the end of the year. 

 

My sacrifices have been many but often feel worth it because the Pioneer was born. Every week since I was 19 there has been a paper to edit and print. And it didn’t matter if I was sick, or my grandfather died unexpectedly or my best friend took his own life. The paper had to print. 

 

I’m grateful for having the team we do because I and the team are willing and able to fill in and step up for each other so when tragedy or opportunity strikes, the person suffering doesn’t also just have to work.

 

The life of a journalist is one of sacrifice. But I think that might just be life in general. Parents make sacrifices for their kids every day. For work, pleasure, etc. The list goes on.

 

And for me, I’m grateful my sacrifice is for my community and the news coverage we provide.

 

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” Steve Prefontaine