A Big Thank You To Wrap Up 2023

I'm moving into a reflective mode as I start to wrap up for the end of the year, and in doing so, I'm struck by just how up and down 2023 has been. I feel like I'm crawling toward the end of the year, but those who know me well will know that tends to be how I start thinking in early December and, in previous years, even earlier. "I just have to make it to the Christmas break" becomes my catchphrase. I say it probably 100 times or more, but I hold onto the hope that one day, I'll figure out how to better balance my energy to last a full twelve months!

The reality is as up and down as my year has been - leaving a job suddenly, navigating a career change, starting a business, etc...my ups and downs pale in significance to the many, many people around the world who have been displaced, hurt and killed as a result of ongoing conflict. It is sometimes hard to reconcile that we live in a world where war is raging, innocent people are being killed, and families are torn apart. But the fact is, it's the truth, and hiding away from that does no good. Additionally, many people much closer to home are having a very difficult time - they're out of work or working jobs far removed from their careers and callings due to layoffs and the economic challenges this year has presented. The ongoing cost of living crisis is rife in the UK, with so many people struggling.

As I thought about writing my final career change diary for the end of the year, I decided there wasn't much I could say in the grand scheme of things other than thank you. I haven't had any insightful lessons or takeaways since I last wrote other than to be grateful. To practice gratitude.

During times of change, being thankful can keep you grounded and remind you that there is good in the world, and humans are inherently that way. It has certainly done so for me.

So, thank you to those who have supported me and KW Collective this year. Whether that has been from afar or more closely, I'm immensely grateful for the growth and success my business has experienced since starting in February. It is all down to my generous and caring network. Many of you have offered advice, introductions, an ear, work, projects, etc... and as a result, I've been lucky enough to work with some fantastic clients across various sectors, including tech, climate, and broadcast. My work has spanned marketing and organizational psychology, which has contributed to KW Collective's growth and broadened my understanding of the diverse needs and challenges businesses face today. Thank you for this.

It's been incredibly inspiring to see how businesses have pivoted and innovated to meet the market's ever-changing demands, proving that there is room for growth and progress even in the darkest times. I'm grateful I can be a part of that, even in a small capacity.

I'm really looking forward to 2024; space on my roster opens up in February, so if you are looking for either short-term firefighting within your marketing department, help with your employer branding strategy, or you're looking to explore more around your culture and values, learning programs and team engagement, get in touch.

For now, I wish you all a restful and happy festive season. I hope it'll be everything you want for you and yours.

See you next year, Friends!

Lizzy

PS. If you're looking for a last-minute gift, consider donating to FareShare on someone's behalf, a charity tackling hunger and food waste in the UK.