Reflections & Gratitude

This blog was originally shared on November 25, 2023. With the relaunch of our website (www.curateimpact.co), we are reposting our blogs on the new website and on LinkedIn.

I hit my official “one year full-time freelancing” anniversary at the beginning of November, and I have been reflecting on how the stars aligned for me over the past year. But the stars didn’t accidentally, miraculously, or without strategy align on their own. Every success I’ve experienced over the last year has been a direct result of my friends, family, network, and perhaps most importantly, me showing up every step of the way.

Several years ago, I bought two products that were the first steps in creating my vision board (or the start of manifesting my future) for where I am today - and it is not lost on me that they were both from small women-owned businesses. First, I participated in Holiday Council from Stratejoy. Through the three week Holiday Council, Molly Mahar, owner of Stratejoy, walks you through deep reflection of the past year, envisioning the coming year, then creating a concrete action plan. Through my participation, I discovered my deep desire to reopen my home organizing business, Home & Life Curator, and also I started to consider what I wanted to do with the next stage of my life.

Then, the year after, I bought a new planner from Cultivate What Matters. The planner was pivotal in jumpstarting my organizing business and continuing to reflect deeply on my values. But perhaps most importantly, in the box the planner arrived in were two postcards: one read “You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do. You should go do them.” The other read “Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.” These two postcards have been the “artwork” (a term I use quite loosely) next to my indoor bike. At least four times a week, I look directly at these cards and they have become my mantra. I do need to go do those things AND I do what I do because of others lifting me up.

2023 has brought some of the highest highs and lowest lows of my adult life. Through it all, the common thread has been how my community has consistently shown up for me. I am doing the things I always wanted to do because I have the support of others. My first full year of freelancing exceeded my expectations because of those that have been and continue to be there for me. I’ll likely never write a book, so here are my dedications:

• Last year would not have been possible without the direct support of my family. Brian and Max keep me anchored, and though they may not understand quite what I do, they are some of my biggest cheerleaders. (I also want to deeply acknowledge that my freelance journey wouldn’t have been possible without the privilege of being able to rely on my husband’s income and insurance. I know the need for insurance can be the thing that prevents people from transitioning to freelancing.This is something I dream of providing a feasible solution to!)
• To Jules Christie, of Crafted Leadership, who over many years of coaching and conversations helped me to realize that my career has felt like I was floating down a river without paddles, but that, given time, I could find my paddles and forge my own path. Your deep caring has carried me through some rough seas (because you all know I love to keep an analogy going way past its prime.)
• Deep gratitude to my former manager, mentor, and good friend, Omari, whose extensive conversations helped me determine it was time to invest in myself. I am so deeply appreciative for the ability to learn from and alongside him for so many years and deeply miss him. The number of times I have reached for my phone to call or text have been innumerable over the last 6 months. 
• To Kwame who prioritized multiple conversations with me and encouraged me to “give it 6 months and see what happens.” You were right - this is a journey worth pursuing.
• Duanecia, Jenn, Alessandra, Tegan, Lauren, and so many others in my extended network who believed in me to jump start my freelancing career, were there to provide pep talks, and/or happen to text me at just the right moment when things seem like they are falling apart (it’s not always rainbows and sunshine over here - I’m still a human!)
• To Kaitlin and Brit who jumped in and helped me launch Curate Impact - without you, this literally wouldn’t exist. You have continued to show up, bought the optimism, and reminded me to continue to look long-term. I appreciate you. 
• To my first clients who put a whole lot of trust and faith in me - and helped to iron out those initial wrinkles. I will forever be grateful for your collaboration. 
• To my friends - I so deeply appreciate you checking in on me, encouraging me to shut my computer down to get coffee, or dropping in (physically or via text) to see how I was. 
• And finally, to Zoë, the dog - who ensures I get fresh air every single day, ensures I see every squirrel, chipmunk, bird, rabbit, and deer, and lovingly insists on providing company to me at all times of day (and night). 

My advice to anyone who wants to get started: 

1. Get out of your own way and believe in yourself. You are so worth it.
2. “You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do. You should go do them.”. - Cultivate What Matters.

Meet the Author: Heather Owens is the Founder of Curate Impact. In addition to aspiring to connect people with one another, with resources, and with opportunities, she provides direct operational support to social and environmental impact executives and companies. In her free time, she helps Baltimoreans organize their homes.

Connect with Heather: Reach out via email for inquiries related to direct operational support or organizing support. Follow Curate Impact on Instagram and reach out via email with any questions you may have.