Article by Wendy McCance

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to step back and take a break. Reevaluate what you have been doing and what you would like to do moving forward. That’s where I was as my summer began.

After a rather rough year of juggling work and kids and school activities, I thought that the summer months would be a great time to really dive into my writing. Besides working for clients by handling their social media or doing some freelance writing, I was going to work on my first book.

Everything started out well, then I became sucked into summer life. It started with walks each day with my husband, glass of wine in hand. It was a beautiful way to unwind at the end of the day. A few weeks later, my husband and I decided this would be the year to join the swim club in our neighborhood. Close enough to walk or bike to, there was swimming, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, a beautiful pavilion where you could do some grilling and the club offers several social events throughout the year. Our summer was planned. We would take it easy and enjoy the sun, swimming and socializing a few blocks from home. After an intense year of chauffeuring around the kids, doing as little driving as possible sounded like heaven.

Well, I got sucked in. I was swimming every day the weather was nice (which, was almost daily) and I came to the conclusion that I needed a different type of break than I had thought.

The idea of sitting in a home typing away in solitude while the sun was shining and people were gathering together enjoying the summer weather was depressing. After finally getting that chance to work on my writing, I found that it wasn’t making me happy. I just needed a break.

A few days later, a chance to do something really different turned up in my email. I got a message from the swim club saying they were looking for a fill-in manager for the summer. I emailed them back letting them know I was interested.

What a great opportunity to break away and shake the cobwebs from my mind. Working outside and socializing each day while being paid? How perfect! And as a fill-in manager, I wasn’t committing full-time. It’s a sporadic schedule. Just an opportunity to do something different and shake things up.

I got the job! I also realized that it was exactly what I needed. I love working at the club. One of the perks of working for myself is that I can adjust my work schedule in any way that works best for me without it interfering with what I need to work on for my clients.

Things are working out so well that I am seriously thinking about working as a fill-in manager again next summer. Spending my winters writing inside the house in a solitary way and then spending my summers outdoors socializing thrills me. It makes for a wonderful balance.

Because I am a fill-in manager (instead of a full-time manager), I can continue at the same pace working with my clients without it having made a bit of difference. I am not swamped with hours at the club, it’s just a nice diversion, and honestly a very good salary to boot!

I love writing, working on social media platforms and have some amazing clients. I could never give any of that up. It’s just that now, I will be fresh when working for my clients. A bit of a vacation each week so that I can clear my head. This is turning out to be a very good summer!

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Wendy McCance

Wendy McCance is a Michigan based freelance writer and social media consultant. Wendy has gained attention as the founder of the popular blog Searching for the Happiness which can be viewed in 9 local papers online, including the Oakland Press. The combination of writing skills and social media knowledge is what makes Wendy such a powerhouse to work with. Stay tuned for opportunities to advertise, guest post and as always, have your questions answered.

To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]

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