Time of transition, and time of thanks: A personal note from ChronicBabe founder Jenni Prokopy

Dear readers,

I usually look upon Thanksgiving as a time to pig out. Seriously. I love all the sweets, the generations-old recipes, the way I feel spoiled at the homes of friends who feed me like I've been on a starvation diet for days. But this year, Thanksgiving is feeling very different, and I'm compelled to talk to you personally about why this year is so special. (Aw, I sound like a frickin' Hallmark card!)

thanks flowers I created ChronicBabe.com as a hobby almost 18 months ago, a way for me to communicate my experiences with chronic illness, and my philosophy about living well in spite of funky health stuff. As those first months passed, more and more women added their voices to the project - and I began to realize I needed to change my career focus to make ChronicBabe my full-time gig.

A time of transition

So I started that process, and it was tough. The transition has been challenging on many levels: I had to find new ways to earn money, re-arrange my office, build a business model, embrace the idea of doing work that means so much on a personal level, and - finally - tell my prior clients that I was leaving my old industry (construction writing). A few weeks ago, I signed off officially as an officer in the Construction Writers Association, an organization I was active in for eight years and which I really adore.

I worried that leaving this group of people who had mentored me - helped me grow my business to the point that I could find the courage (and funding) to launch ChronicBabe - would be sad. I thought they might be irritated at me for leaving, or confused about why...who knows what. When you're leaving something you've known for so long (I wrote about construction for more than 10 years!) it's hard to know how you'll feel or what will happen.

You know what? They loved it! When I announced my departure and my full-time dedication to ChronicBabe, they not only surprised me with tons of words of support and encouragement, they also gave me the group's highest honor: the Silver Hard Hat Award. I was so touched - to know that I was leaving the group and the construction writing industry on a high note was awesome. There were lots of tears and hugs and more words of advice.

A time of thanks

I'm incredibly thankful that I had the chance to be part of the Construction Writers Association - a group of individuals committed to bringing excellence to their craft. And I'm thankful that they supported me, nurtured me, and gave me a chance to stretch my wings enough to realize it was time to launch this project.

Because today, ChronicBabe.com is becoming more than a web site - it's becoming a real community, a way for you and me and the millions of other women with chronic illness to learn how to live well each and every day, no matter how crappy we feel. We're making it happen! I'm so proud to be doing this work, and thankful that you, dear readers, are along for the ride.

And as long as we're thanking people...

I'm overwhelmed by the support and generosity of my web developer and designer, Matt Mayes of Stop Time Studio; my graphic designers Linda Cassady, Christy Bauhs and Sundee Koffarnus, who have helped come up with great images and tools for me; all the great women who've shared their personal stories on the site; a wonderfully rich circle of friends and family who always support me; my kick-ass husband, Steve, who stands by me no matter what; and all the other people I bump into day to day who help me get things done and make my life work. I'm spoiled!

And last but certainly not least: thanks, dear readers, for sticking with ChronicBabe and sending me your thoughts, your words of support, your ideas, your constructive criticism, your donations, your links, and your referrals of friends and loved ones. You make it worthwhile each and every day!

Now, go pig out tomorrow!

Enjoy that turducken, or sweet potato dish, or pecan pie. Hug your friends and family. If you're on your own and eating out - thank your waitrix with a nice holiday tip. Enjoy the spirit of tomorrow, in which we give thanks for the chances we are given each day. I know I will. And then...sigh...I'll be hitting the gym once again on Friday.

Love, jenni signature

Posted: 11/22/2006 in Careers

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Time of transition, and time of thanks: A personal note from ChronicBabe founder Jenni Prokopy

A time of transition

A time of thanks

And as long as we're thanking people...

Now, go pig out tomorrow!