A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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It’s been a few weeks since the last issue of The Leaflet. My sweet dad passed away on May 20th, and I’ve been spending time with my family and easing back into my proofreading work.
With Father’s Day coming up, it feels like the right time to share something a little more personal than usual—thank you for bearing with me. Here's the first photo I have of my dad holding me as a baby, along with our last photo together. I miss him deeply, and I’m grateful for the chance to honor him here. |
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Stepping Away from Work When Life Gets Heavy |
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As you probably know, running a business (especially a proofreading or editing business) requires a sharp mind and steady focus—two things that can be hard to access in the midst of grief. When my dad passed away, I knew I needed time to step back, but I also wanted to handle things in a way that felt respectful to my clients and sustainable for me.
Here’s what I did—and what I’d do again, if faced with another difficult season: - Took 10 days off completely: No proofreading, no newsletter, no social media—just time to be present with my family and begin to process everything.
- Communicated with clients about my time away: I emailed my current clients, letting them know I’d be stepping away for a while. Their kind words and understanding meant more than I can say.
- Shared backup proofreader names: I gave my clients a list of trusted proofreaders they could reach out to if they needed coverage while I was out. (I talked more about the idea of having a backup proofreader in Issue 35.)
- Paused The Leaflet and social media: Giving myself space from content creation and online expectations gave me room to breathe.
- Eased back in gradually: I didn’t dive into a full workload right away. Starting with one file at a time helped me rebuild focus and avoid overwhelm.
Everyone’s situation is different, but if you ever find yourself needing to step back, I hope this serves as a reminder: It’s okay to pause. Your clients will understand. Your work will wait. And you’re allowed to care for yourself first.
If you’ve ever stepped away from work during a hard time, I’d love to hear what helped you most. Please reply to this email and let me know. 💚 |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week Recently: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - Proofreading with kindness (yes, it's possible!): Lisa explains what it means to be a kind and respectful proofreader. Her golden rules are a great reminder that empathy and discretion make a bigger impact than nitpicking when it comes to helping others with their writing. 🤝
- Desk fatique? These moves really help: I love Michelle’s idea of “exercise snacks.” These simple arm movements help her shake off the stiffness of a long day at the computer, and they inspire me to try the same. It's amazing how just a few minutes can reset both your posture and your energy. 💪🏻️
- Pushing past imposter syndrome: I really appreciate Jo’s honesty about how nerve-wracking self-promotion can feel—especially for introverts. Her story reminds us that even when confidence is hard to summon, it’s worth showing up and sharing what you’re passionate about. 🌟
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These words sound the same but mean something very different. cubical → shaped like a cube; having equal height, width, and depth cubicle → an enclosed space or compartment, often used for work in an office Catch of the Week screenshots come from my transcript proofreading. I can't change what a person said, but I can make sure words are spelled correctly and punctuation marks are in the right spots. If you're interested in learning more about transcript proofreading, I wrote an article about it here. |
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This Week's Featured Proofreader or Editor: |
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Nicci from Little Editorial Services |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
I proofread medical materials for clients across the medical communications industry and beyond. Scientific journal manuscripts and educational/disease overview slide decks form the backbone of my work, but you'll also find me working on infographics, posters, meeting abstracts and reports.
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I initially trained in proofreading with the Publishing Training Centre (PTC). I've since topped up my proofreading skills via the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and I've also completed their grammar and digital editing courses. Next on my to-do list is some training in plain language editing.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
The ability to accept (or decline) work based on my preferences. Getting to decide what I work on feels like a real luxury, and it's something I never take for granted.
- What causes you the most frustration in your work?
The unpredictability. It's getting better (I'm 2 years into my freelancing journey now), but I find that managing the peaks and troughs of workload can be both mentally and financially challenging.
- What tips would you like to share with other proofreaders and editors?
PerfectIt is my must-have tool. I see it as something of a safety net to catch inconsistencies before and/or after working on copyediting tasks.
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Plant Photos of the Week: |
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I snapped these photos in my mother-in-law's backyard this week. I can't help but think of the word “potential” when I look at that unopened sunflower. 🌻 |
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Let's keep growing together! |
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7893 Old US Highway 52
Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
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