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<\/a><\/p>\nColleen\u2019s tweet reminded me that this job often makes us feel isolated and in many cases, like we\u2019re the only one going through things. So what\u2019s the point, you ask? We have to be more transparent about our own struggles.<\/p>\n
Having worked so long in industry, often in a project manager type role, being direct and honest about problems always helped get them resolved quicker, easier, and less costly. I\u2019ve maintained this sort of attitude in higher education. This job is hard<\/a>, but it is definitely made easier when we share our struggles in an effort to find effective ways to deal with them. And more so, sharing enables us a measure of reassurance and support that we are definitely not alone<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another example from Twitter and Facebook this week: the fact that many of us experience post-conference doldrums brought on from all sorts of factors. With a lot of us at ATTW and the CCCCs recently, we started this past week in something of a hole, from being tired, to feeling (or being) more behind<\/a>, to the adrenaline let down of being back to our normal lives, to\u2026.all sorts of other things too! Knowing that others have emotional, affective, and embodied reactions to coming home from conference travel definitely helps us all ease back into our day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n So here are a few other things to consider that are the same as other folks:<\/p>\n Sharing our struggles and challenges and problems means that we\u2019re making parts of the job that have long been hidden more transparent. It\u2019s ok to not be ok. Talking about it is the first step in understanding the situation and your reaction to it and then figuring out the steps to move forward.<\/p>\n One of the founding principles for WomeninTC is having a community in which to find support and encouragement for all aspects of this job.<\/p>\n So remember that someone out there is probably feeling the same thing as you. But there\u2019s always a circle around you.<\/p>\n\n
\nNota bene: because writing, editing, and revising is hard everyone of us puts it of, whines about it, drinks to much coffee or wine or [insert favorite beverage here], struggles to get the words on the page or the words revised on the page. Starting is always the hardest, but for some, finishing is even harder. These are truths. Truths we share.<\/li>\n