Why start a blog Maianna?

Blogging is brand new for me and isn’t something I’ve been compelled to start until recently. The idea came immediately after the shock of being laid off from a career I deeply loved and had devoted more than a decade to. It hit me hard as my role wasn’t just a job to me. It was part of my identity, something I poured myself into with heart, energy, and purpose.

In the days that followed, I found myself needing a space to process, reflect, and plan. There’s a lot to untangle when your professional life shifts so suddenly. I’ve felt everything from heartbreak to hope, grief to curiosity. This blog is a place to work through all of that.

It’s also a way to stay connected with former colleagues, friends, and with anyone who’s wondering: What really happens when someone is laid off from a long standing role? How are they doing? What’s next? I want to share the real, sometimes messy, human side of this transition, and connect with those who are also going through it. I also simply love to write and I’m excited to have a platform to do so, where I don’t have to fit a brief or be reviewed by three levels of leadership! I’ll share my ideas and plans here, with the same energy and vigour I applied to my work.

That brings me to the name and logo.

Why call it “Living work-adjacent”?

I called this blog Living Work Adjacent as a tongue in cheek nod to a phrase I’ve always loved using. I often joke that when something isn’t quite what it claims to be, it’s [something] adjacent. A person can’t dance, but he’s dancing adjacent. The dog still barks, but she’s well trained adjacent. The concert wasn’t exactly fun, but it was fun adjacent.

In the same spirit, I’m no longer working in the formal sense, but I don’t want to step away from professional life either. I’m still engaged, still thinking, still creating. I have no intention of burning through my entire compensation package or upending the structure and rhythm of how I work. Instead, I’m staying sharp with writing and self-assignments, and treating the job hunt like the full time job it is until I find something right. So for now, I’m living work adjacent.

Why a swan logo?

The logo is a simple line drawn swan, something I’ve quietly used for years to sign homemade cards and artwork. I was originally drawn to it as a Dane, since the swan is Denmark’s national bird. But more than that, I’ve always connected with what the swan represents. She glides with grace and elegance across the surface, while paddling furiously beneath to stay in motion and get where she needs to go. I can relate, swan.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog is part reflection, part reinvention. I’ll be honest about what it feels like to grieve a dream career, and what I’m learning as I figure out what comes next. That might include new directions, certifications, or even education. I’ll also explore what it means to navigate change from the inside, because there’s a big difference between hearing that someone got laid off and really understanding what that looks and feels like.

It won’t solely be about being laid off and job hunting! I have lots to share in so many areas: change management, organizational design and systems improvement, writing, program design, and more. This is my opportunity to speak candidly about the career-minded areas I’m most interested in.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being here. Whether you’re following along as a friend, former colleague, or future connection, I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect virtually or in person if you’re in Victoria area!

1. 

   Such great insight and steps for departing leaders, you should post this one in more places and share it far…

2. 

   You gained a lot of experience in your roles at Island Health and it sounds like you’re excited to learn…

3. 

   Oh my goodness, Maianna! It’s like you took my personal thoughts and put them so perfectly into words on paper!…

4. 

   Hi, this is my first visit to your blog and I have to say, I am inspired 🙂 Please know…

5. 

   I love this even for non-leadership roles – this is great 🙂