Today marks three months since I left my faculty position—and three months of being in business for myself. Three months of learning and unlearning, of discovery and adaptation. Running my own business has been a journey filled with unexpected lessons. I’ve found myself navigating far more calls and chats with email listserv services, website development, and various forms of tech support than I ever anticipated. I’ve tested different systems to track projects efficiently and build new routines that align with my schedule.
Like many small business owners, I’m learning to cultivate meaningful connections with less reliance on social media and more emphasis on fostering relationships through my blog, newsletters (please sign up if you haven’t yet!), and collaborations with fellow writers and professionals who support writers. Building a community around writing has become a priority, and I’m finding new ways to engage with others that feel authentic and sustainable.
At the same time, I’m unlearning deeply ingrained habits from academia—habits that didn’t always serve me well. As a faculty member, I often operated in survival mode, overloading my schedule to the point where rest became an afterthought. Ironically, despite being a tenured professor, one of my greatest challenges was carving out time to write amidst my other responsibilities.
I don’t share this to suggest that everything is perfect or that I have no worries because running a business is hard. Every day presents new challenges and surprises, and in these uncertain times, that unpredictability can feel even more pronounced.
When I first contemplated leaving my role as an associate professor, I struggled to envision what my days would look like. I knew I wanted to continue writing, designing courses, and engaging in conversations about writing, but I wasn’t sure how that would take shape. Coaching and developmental editing weren’t immediate career choices—I needed time to grant myself permission to explore them, and I’m so glad I did.
A Look at My Day-to-Day
Thinking about this blog post, I was reminded of the “GRWM” (Get Ready With Me) TikToks, which my youngest daughter often watches. She even suggested I film one—but I’ll spare you a video of my food prep, cleaning, emails, Zoom calls, and chasing my dogs to see what they’ve got in their mouths! Instead, here’s a glimpse into what’s been filling my days lately:
- Facilitating a 21-Day Spring Into Writing Program: This program is running now, focusing on helping writers who want to integrate care into their writing practices.
- Supporting writers at various stages: From dissertation writers to those navigating life transitions, I’m honored to help people move from ideas to words on the page through coaching and developmental editing.
- Co-facilitating a writing group with Beth Godbee: Beth and I have worked together for years, and I deeply value the community of writers we support each week.
- Planning upcoming offerings for late spring/early summer:
- I am offering a free one-week program for folks in higher education who want to reflect on their semester, transition into summer, and set writing goals that align with their needs. This asynchronous online offering will run twice: May 19-23 and June 16-20. Each day, participants receive an email with a writing prompt or activity designed to support reflection and help them move into summer with care. Given the chaos and grief many have experienced this semester, I hope this offering provides support.
- A 21-Day Summer Writing Camp focused on intention-setting, overcoming periods of “stuckness” in writing, and integrating care into writing routines. This program will run twice: June 3-23 and July 8-28. Participants will receive weekly emails, access to optional 1.5-hour drop-in writing sessions, and a writing workbook for reflection and writing tracking. Additionally, participants will have the option to add developmental editing or coaching sessions for more personalized support.
- Developing a fall program for caregivers who write: This has been in the works for nearly a year, and as both a caregiver and writer, I’m deeply committed to this project. Expect more details later this summer.
- And—I’m writing again. I’ve returned to pieces I started before, some about leaving academia and others that are long-standing projects around literacy, fandom, and pedagogy. Most recently, my work has focused on BTS and their fandom, ARMY. I’m finishing several projects I hope to publish in the coming year.
I’m writing. I’m supporting writers. I’m creating. And I’m learning—learning what it means to build a new rhythm and routine.
Through it all, I’m reminded of the importance of giving ourselves grace, especially in times of uncertainty. The past few months have been full of challenges, but also moments of deep gratitude—for the work that sustains me, the writers I’m privileged to support, and the community that continues to grow around this work. If these times have taught me anything, it’s that we must make space for care, reflection, and rest. So here’s to extending ourselves the same kindness we often offer so readily to others.
Full Circle Writing, LLC 
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