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Today, I am unemployed for the first time in my adult life. Since college, I've had five journalism jobs, and I've never taken time off between, even though most positions involved moves. I love being a reporter so much that I've always felt lucky to get paid to write.
I don't know what comes next but I'm trying to figure that out. I know I want to stay in journalism, if at all possible, and I would love to stay in Northeast Ohio. But I also know I may have to move, even though that breaks my heart. I was born in Northeast Ohio; this is home.
For the past month, I've been working nonstop covering coronavirus and trying to protect my Guild brothers and sisters. I haven't taken a moment to pause and think about what comes next. Up until Friday, hours before I was laid off, I was filing stories on coronavirus.
To be honest, I don't know how to take a break. My life makes sense when it is full of color-coded schedules and goals. Even though your job isn't your identity; I am a journalist. I don't know how to not be one. I love telling the stories of my community.
For now, I'm creating a list of stories I would write, if I still had an outlet. I'm looking for freelance opportunities so I can use my experience covering the coronavirus pandemic to continue to inform the community right now. And I'm trying to make a plan for my future.
A number of people have suggested launching a nonprofit newsroom in Northeast Ohio, and I'm willing to do the work to make that happen. So, stay tuned. And let me know if you're interested in helping.
I'm also going to try to take moments to breathe, to exercise and to be grateful. More people than I ever could have imagined have reached out to show support of me and of my former colleagues. That means something. And I want to take a pause to fully appreciate that. Thank you.
