A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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As much of the United States prepares for Winter Storm Fern this weekend, many of us are thinking about the possibility of power outages and what it means to suddenly need light in a dark house. It also makes me think about how I use light at home, especially around my plants. My Baltic Blue pothos sits on my piano with a large mirror behind it. I love placing plants near mirrors. The mirror bounces light back onto the leaves, brightens a darker part of the room, and makes the plant look fuller. |
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This idea shows up in our work, too. The people, conversations, and content we spend time with influence us more than we realize. Over time, they shape what gets reflected back to us. For editors and proofreaders, this shows up in subtle but important ways. If we surround ourselves with urgency, comparison, or constant scarcity talk, that mindset affects how our workdays feel. When we choose to reflect thoughtful voices, realistic expectations, and steady encouragement, our work feels more grounded. Here are some practical ways to be more intentional about what you reflect: - Notice what affects your mood after you consume it. After scrolling, reading, or finishing a conversation, pause and notice how you feel. Calmer? More confident? More anxious? That reaction is useful information.
- Decide which projects get your best energy. You don’t have to treat every project the same. It’s okay to reserve your best focus for work that aligns with your strengths and goals.
- Limit exposure to unhelpful noise. This might mean muting some social media accounts, stepping back from certain conversations, or being selective about business advice you follow. Less input can lead to clearer thinking.
By the way, if your power does go out during this storm and you’re using candles or flashlights, placing them near a mirror can brighten a room more than the light alone.️ 🕯️🪞 I’m curious: What, if anything, are you expecting from this storm where you live? Reply and let me know. Stay safe and warm, friends! 💚 |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently. Click the links below to read them. - This part of the editing process might surprise you: Lisa shows how a post-edit call where an author and editor talk through feedback can be one of the most energizing parts of the process. 🤝️
- Keep showing up, even if you can't see results yet: Not surprisingly, I love posts with gardening analogies. Ariel compares writing a book to planting a garden. There’s hope in every seed, even when you’re not sure what will grow. The same applies to proofreading and editing. We send pitches, build relationships, and take small steps that might not bloom right away. Over time, the effort adds up to something meaningful. 🌱
- Don't fall for a freelance scam like this: Liz tells us about a recent freelance scam that almost looked legitimate. Her story is a reminder to stay alert, trust your gut, and never pay to start a job, no matter how polished the opportunity seems. 👀
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With the winter storm approaching here in the States, it's an appropriate time to share this error I spotted recently. It seems logical that a word describing unpleasant weather would include "climate," but it doesn’t. ❄️ 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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Sophia from Bluebird Symmetry Proofing |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
I proofread PDF transcripts for court reporters.
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I completed a course from Proofread Anywhere called Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
I love the fact that I can proofread anywhere. It’s great to be able to take your work with you and enjoy life rather than being forced to sit in an office all day. I love how there’s no commute, so I can sleep in a bit instead of being stuck in early morning traffic. It’s flexible, remote, and promotes an adaptable lifestyle. Plus, it’s wonderful to be able to go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. Being able to soak up some sun, exercise regularly, and give myself breaks as needed also helps support my emotional and mental health.
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
I started active marketing toward the end of December 2025, so I’m still in the marketing phase of this journey. I’ve felt overwhelmed at times working on my website, networking on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and creating and posting ads to various sites. So you can imagine how I started to feel a bit worn out. What helped me was being able to take a break from networking for a little while to rest my mind.
Right now, my focus is on getting my name out there, networking, and becoming more comfortable with living outside my comfort zone. To be honest, becoming a freelancer, setting up my own business, and even creating social media accounts has forced me to step outside what I’m familiar with. Initially, it was a bit intimidating, but I’ve realized, as with anything, it becomes easier the more you do it and the fear eventually lessens.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
It's important to surround yourself with people who support you and who have been successful. Their success gives you a vision to work toward, especially on the days you may be struggling and feeling doubtful. Ask them for advice and any insights they’ve learned along the way. I ask for help or clarity when I need it.
Keep going! Every small step forward brings you closer to your goals. Trust the journey—you’re making progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it today.
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My ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has all kinds of new growth lately. This is surprising because it's winter and this plant doesn't get much light during the day.
If you’ve ever felt like you can’t keep plants alive but still want a little green in your space, this is a great plant to try. It's unfussy, forgiving, and easy to find at most home improvement stores or garden centers. ZZ plant for the win! 🪴 |
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Let's keep growing together! |
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