In the realm of self-promotion, we talk up our traits and skills with positive language which makes sense to connect with people who need our skills or relate to what we do. It’s also typical to have times of doubt or a negative perspective when things aren’t going so well or when we experience burnout.
There’s only so many cover letters I can write before shouting into the abyss about my “favorite” subjects, ME! and my ACCOMPLISHMENTS! feels stale. (Sorry for the shouting, and yes, that’s sarcasm.) I tend to minimize aspects about my background unconsciously (or even consciously) but I also wish that being matter-of-fact about my greatness was more acceptable or enough to validate my expertise to potential employers. (But I’m trying, see the I GET SH*T DONE section below.)
Finding work is about DOING, TASKS and what I have done before or want to do. I end up feeling disingenuous when I keep talking about those things instead of expressing who I am, which is how this newsletter came to be! I’d like to know more about who the potential employers and clients are, too, but this doesn’t happen often unless I know someone involved at the company or organization. There’s no one to blame for this conundrum, but the job search process doesn’t feel like a human thing to do. Is this making sense to anyone?
There is rejuvenating power in reframing and mindfulness, which I’ve been practicing frequently as this search continues on and I remember to tap into my natural optimism and powers of continual improvement. (Good enough for a cover letter, no?)
Just because I have a weird way of thinking—what if we used negative statements to describe positive aspects of ourselves or our experience?
I think my inner critic is quiet quitting!
(I wish this was 100% true… but then I might not be human.)
I just had the most awkward conversation, and I’m ready for more!
(It takes time to digest conflicting or confusing information, but I learn from every interaction.)
Can you think of more?
ART
STUFF↓
Visit the Art Gallery at North Durham Farmers Market in August
I am curating an art show at an event venue, Soul Sanctuary, which shares land with the North Durham Farmers’ Market. On July 5 and 19, the gallery is showing “Sankofa Harvest,” which features farm-inspired art by artists Malcom Goff, Paul Evans and Shambo Medina.
The gallery space is only open to the public during farmers’ market hours, so there’s no formal opening, but I will be there during the August open hours to offer refreshments and answer questions. Plus, you can pick up produce and prepared food and other goodies, all from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women-owned farms and businesses at the market! Dates and times are listed below, follow the market social media or mine for reminders and more info.
Changing & Unchanging
Internal and external forces can change, define, or disrupt our lives and result in further change; create chaos or opportunity and build resilience.
Octavia Butler wrote “Everything you touch, you change. All that you change changes you. The only constant is change.” These works are brought together to highlight art as an agent, element and result of change in our communities.
Artists
Laura Bell, Barbara Berry, Myles Brown, Kiki Farish, Mer Haggerty, Melanie Hockabout, Bryant Holsenbeck, Kelly Hazen Klug, Kriss Lowrance, Lee Nisbet, Nancy C. Sampson, Tim Thayer
Gallery (and market) dates and hours
Saturday, August 2, 2025 & Saturday, August 16, 2025
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location
North Durham Farmers Market & Soul Sanctuary
1016 Old Oxford Rd, Durham, NC 27704
Instagram Links
@Northdurhamfarmersmarket | @TheNancydrawsShop | @NancyCSampson
I GET SH*T
DONE↓
How Can I Help You?
I have availability for new clients if you need help with blog writing, social media campaigns, print marketing materials or presentation designs as I seek a new team. Taking on new projects has been building my resilience, expanding my knowledge and professional network. Email me to set up a meeting.
Focus Quality and Creative Problem Solving
“Maximizer” is one of my top five Clifton Strengths. This means that I prioritize and appreciate focusing on content quality, details, and bringing out the best in my team mates. I have an internal drive for improving projects and collective efforts through my contributions and supporting the team so that we may all do our best.
For me, creativity and completing a project involves empathy to understand and motivate contributors, creating a calm environment for discussion, planning and re-prioritizing when things don’t go as planned and time management. My success with these elements traces through solo assignments and collaborative marketing campaigns. I truly shine when I make an impact through problem solving and quality-building tasks or initiatives like maintaining brand guidelines or editing.
A strategic, organized approach doesn’t gel with the stereotypical version of a writer/artist/creative type and I enjoy breaking that myth whenever possible!
Connect with me on social media or email me:
