001 Homecoming

Hello again

Hello Friend,

Whether we have known each other for a while or are new acquaintances, I’m glad to be here in your cozy inbox. You are probably wondering what draws me back into the wacky world of living history. To put it simply, I felt homesick.

When I left my full time living history museum job in 2018, I didn’t have a plan. I had a few, tucked away in the boxes of stuff - books, trinkets, gifts, creations - from my office. Everything pushed against a wall or in a corner for piles to form slowly on top so they could disappear into hibernation for a few years. In the meantime I was supposed to figure it out.

I didn’t know what the source of my burn out was. Was it my mental health that had been fluctuating since my teens? Was it the financial precarity of working in an industry with historically low wages? Was it working with people that triggered memories of growing up in a dysfunctional family? Was it the lack of support I felt from friends and family that rarely showed up to attend events I spent months planning? Was it the feeling of hitting an early career plateau and seeing no opportunities for growth? It was everything, so it all had to change.

I have learned major lessons in the last 7 years: Burnout is common in every industry, but there are hundreds of daily habits that can keep it at bay. I am still trying to remember to do all of them. 🙂 The job market in most industries is insanely competitive right now. Every coworker ranges from Slightly Imperfect to Extremely Infuriating, but we still have to get through the day together. We can identify our supporters by opening ourselves up to new audiences instead of coaxing support from uninterested parties. My skills are still valuable, even if AI recruiting software doesn’t recognize them.

I’d like to offer my services to the community I miss the most, so I hope you will be honest about your needs. Would you like help planning events or preparing programs that promote more interaction between interpreters and guests? Maybe worksheets or templates would smooth out your workflow and leave more room in your time budget for other duties as assigned. Could your whole staff use a reset/revival? Do you want to offer a take home program developed to curriculum standards to be used by schools or homeschool groups? How about a podcast or digital show you could listen to or watch that targets this niche occupation? Are you just getting started and just need help getting on the right course? I’d like to offer a variety of products and services at multiple price points - including free - so there is something for everyone. Let me know if there’s something that would make your life of time traveling easier, so I can prioritize accordingly!

Thank you for your hospitality,

P.S. If you are a respondent to my Museum Interpretive Support Needs survey from Winter 23/24, I want to give an extra special thanks to you! Your responses helped me shape my launch offerings while I was still building my business plan.

P.P.S. If you are feeling FOMO about the Museum Interpretive Support Needs survey, keep your eyes peeled for the updated version I will be circulating shortly!