The fifteenth in a series by Stress Matters, who have been asking those across the events industry – how are you doing?
Carrie Cameron-Smith, operations manager at SJ Event Consultancy, on learning to take the time to care for herself as well as others.
I first became involved in events during my University placement year in Frankfurt and knew right away that it was what I wanted to do. I’ve worked in event management agencies since 1999 and have been at SJ Events for eighteen months now. I really enjoy the role.
Like many people at the moment, I have up and down days. Some days I wake up and forget that life is in a bit of a holding pattern. On the whole, I’m staying pretty positive and looking forward to next spring, when it feels like life will be a little more ‘normal’; but I definitely have days when it all feels a bit overwhelming. I think having no finite end to it all is the biggest challenge for me.
For me, lockdown 1.0 seemed to go by in a flurry of homeschooling, which I found demanding. While it was great to have more time with my boys and be more hands on with their learning, it definitely reminded me why I didn’t choose teaching as a career.
I feel lucky to work in a very resourceful and creative industry and our suppliers absolutely surpassed themselves in the webinars, online learning and networking opportunities they created. It was great to be able to connect with our partners and peers from around the world without leaving the house and it provided a great opportunity to brush up on my destination knowledge. I really enjoyed learning more about the event opportunities in each location as well as connecting with local specialists in each area. Taking part in the webinars also made me feel really connected.
I also had the opportunity to undertake some training in areas which interested me, but which I didn’t necessarily have the time to explore before. I also caught up on lots of TED talks I’d wanted to listen to for a while and I was generally able to broaden my horizons in terms of my learning and development.
You have to admit that lockdown provided the opportunity for some funny moments, usually courtesy of people’s children and pets during zoom calls! But that in itself was a great leveller and made everyone realise that we’re all in this strange situation together and doing our best to get through it.
I think I’ve realised just how important interaction with others is during this situation. It’s something I’ve definitely taken for granted in the past and which I will appreciate more from now on. At SJ Events, we’ve kept in close contact throughout the pandemic and have tried to keep office traditions such as ‘Nacho Friday’ alive, albeit remotely. Having people at the end of a WhatsApp or Zoom call has definitely been a massive support, but I can’t wait to spend time with the team again (both human and canine!) when we are able to do so.
Despite the year having so much negativity around it, I have also been very aware of human kindness. I think I had become a little cynical over the years, but the kind gestures shown by so many this year have restored my faith in humanity. I have also learnt firstly to question and secondly to focus on what really matters and to be more grateful for what I have.
As a Mum of two boys, one of whom has learning difficulties and complex health needs, I have to say I am spectacularly rubbish at looking after myself as there always seems to be someone else who needs looking after first. I try to create a bit of ‘me time’ when I can, and my husband working from home during the pandemic has definitely helped with that. When lockdowns and the tier system permit, I play tennis a couple of times a week and meet up with my MD, Sam, and her dogs for a walk and talk to put the world to rights. Getting out in the fresh air definitely helps and gives me the boost I need.
Sam has a mantra ‘control the controllable’ and that’s definitely advice I’ve tried to adopt. I’m a bit of a control freak, as I think a lot of us in the events industry are, and I do find it stressful when I can’t control things. But even I concede to a global pandemic and have had to learn to go with it. I’m quite an impatient person so I’d definitely also tell myself to be more patient and to think of the longer term, rather than just the ‘now’ if I could go back and give myself some advice at the start of all this. I’d also say that it’s ok not to have all the answers. Sometimes you have to take a step back, have faith in the process and trust that all will be well in the end. Also, it’s ok if you haven’t learnt two new languages and a whole new repertoire of recipes during the pandemic – give yourself credit for just getting through each day, week and month.
I’m cautiously excited about 2021 and buoyed by the positivity shown by the events industry. The MICE sector has been hit so hard and it’s been encouraging to see everyone pull together and work towards a positive outcome. We were thrilled to be able to support the One Industry, One Voice campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the events industry during the pandemic. It definitely feels like progress is being made, and recent news of the vaccine seems to have created even more optimism for next year and beyond.
I’m chomping at the bit to get back to doing what we do best. We have a hugely loyal client base and I can’t wait to deliver memorable events for them in 2021 and beyond.
If you would like to share your story, please visit www.stressmatters.org.uk/pandemic-stories for more information.
