20 reasons to give thanks for a bountiful freelance career

The past few years have been some of the best of my career. I got into content writing work ahead of the curve with a long-term assignment as a freelance editor and project manager. I broke into a couple high-profile national publications, including the Wall Street Journal. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing and inspiring people.

Not only has this time been fruitful financially, it’s helped me grow as a writer, editor, and manager.

As I get ready to shut down for the Thanksgiving holiday and step into the kitchen to make stuffing and pie, here’s everything I’m grateful for:

1. My husband and kids, for understanding my passion for what I do.

2. My editors, who push me to excel even when I’d rather not be pushed.

3. The writers I work with, for putting up with my pickiness and tendency to overuse Track Changes.

4. The long-time colleague who suggested me for what turned into a wonderful job opportunity.

5. The talented web designer who gave this blog a much needed makeover.

6. The hundreds of writers, bloggers and freelancers who’ve have taken part in the WordCount Blogathon over the years, you’ve turned an event into a tribe.

7. The talented media industry professionals who share their wisdom and time in guests posts such as this and this, I couldn’t do it without you.

8. My travel agent and friend, for booking business trips so I don’t have to – I wish you could go through those full body scanners for me too.

9. My workout instructor, for giving me 90 minutes twice a week when I can dance, sweat and stretch instead of think.

10. My phone.

11. My dog — RIP Riley — for all the years he curled up by the desk where I work.

12. My mom, for being my biggest supporter.

13. The creative minds behind WordPress, you rock.

14. Bluehost, a blog hosting service, for being up and running 99.99 percent of the time.

15. The writers whose work inspires me to challenge myself to do better.

16. Portland’s freelance journalism community, for creating a congenial work environment so being an independent writer here doesn’t mean having to write alone.

17. My readers, here, at Orange County Register, Workforce Management and everywhere else you find me.

18. My Facebook, Twitter and Linked In friends. I spend the majority of my time in Portland, but I travel the world vicariously through you.

19. The members of the online writers’ groups I hang with. Thanks for being there to share the troubles and the triumphs.

20. The economy, for continuing to improve, making it possible for writers like me to continue doing what we love.

[The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth (1914), by Jennie A. Brownscombe, courtesy Wikimedia ]