Some things I've learned from women's magazines.

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One of the themes I've been exposed to in my many years of working at women's magazines is the power of positive thinking. That's not a new concept–Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, published in 1937 during the Great Depression, is the granddaddy of positive thought books. But around late 2008, I remember thinking, Really? Is The Secret going to help us deal with what's going on in the Great Recession?

As it turns out, the answer is no. But I came across this blog by Mark Evanier courtesy of Neil Gaiman, author extraordinaire. The entry I'm referencing is "One Phone Call," and if you're a freelancer or just "in between things" at the moment, it's worth reading. Not only does it give a good perspective check on the current job market, but it shows how wishful thinking is nothing without actual action. And taking action always makes me feel more hopeful and less wishful.

Another theme I've come across while working at women's magazines is that apparently, women like to eat salad alone and laugh. Or maybe eating salad alone makes them laugh. Or maybe they're going crazy from so much salad. I posted this on my Facebook page, and a few of my friends who were eating salad weren't laughing so much. Me, I was eating bean tostadas and laughing my butt off.

xx,

S

Special thanks to Neil Gaiman, The Hairpin, and C-Monster for turning me on to the salad thing.