We're All Trying Our Best

(Probably)

I’m trying my best. I swear. At least, I think I am.

I’ve got two 70+ parents who just tested positive for COVID, no shortage of baby showers and wedding showers to buy gifts for, a pool that desperately needs to be clarified (any pool advice? technically still a first-time homeowner as my first home was a townhouse and HOA did everything for us and so now I’m looking around and no one’s here to cut the grass or clarify the pool, LOL), and my wedding coming up.

Shall we all scream together? One, two, three: Ahhhhhhh!

I’m also at war with a legion of wasps that have taken up residence under my deck, but that’s a story for another time.

Holy stress. ANYWAYS, the last Pitch, Please went in-depth about Press Hook — a new online platform that connects both sources and products to the journalists who write about them. If you missed that, I highly recommend catching up on that one though, of course, I am inherently biased.

Thoughts about burnout but also about being kind

Was it Brené Brown who said when dealing with people you should ask yourself if they are trying their best? I think so, but don’t quote me on it. (Also, LOL at my own language: “dealing with people".” Like people are situations to be dealt with.)

We’ve all got a lot going in our lives and in our careers.

I don’t answer every email. I’m sure you don’t either. Or maybe you do and that’s something you work hard at and are proud of. Kudos, really. I applaud you.

I also make mistakes. I have a lot of assignments. I’m sure you do, too. Chances are you manage more than one account.

I sometimes have typos, some hyperlinks are wrong, or maybe I didn’t include your client after saying I would.

We’re all doing a lot.

It comes with the territory — in being freelance and in being in PR, I imagine.

Basically, all I’m trying to say is we are all doing what we can. I have a habit of taking on more than I probably should and if that resonates with you, then cool. At least we know we’re not alone.

I’m a little burnt out right now. It’s okay if you are, too. Know I am trying to answer every email, write every story, interview every expert, and kill all the wasps — all at once.

And when my balance falls to the wayside a bit, I just ask that you give me a little grace and kindness. I promise to give it to you, too.

I won’t say “sorry” for waxing a bit more poetic today — at least more so than usual — but I will say “thank you” for giving me the space to say what I needed to today.

So, thank you.

I’d love to hear from YOU

What would you like to read? What would you like to see more of? Less of?

Etc., etc., etc.

I’m always interested in bringing to the light the gaps in my own thinking. Am I missing something glaring, something that needs to be talked about in this space?

Is there something you can put on my radar? I scratch yours, you scratch mine?

LMK!

Life (but also work) updates…

New gig alert — actually, two new gigs!

I now have the distinct pleasure of writing for both Reader’s Digest and Popular Science. For both, I’ll be specifically working on sustainability angles, so pitch, pitch, pitch away!

Also, I’m going to be in Hawa’ii late June through early July. Do you have a client based in Hawa’ii? I am 125 percent OK with doing some fun work things on my honeymoon. Because when am I ever in Hawa’ii?!

Just don’t tell Peter it’s for my job — LOL.

What I’m working on this week

As always, products with affiliate links will be given precedence.

• The Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents: Looking to highlight and, really, break down the best eco-friendly laundry detergents available on the market right now; maybe 8-11 total. If in plastic bottles, should be recycled containers only; this is for Popular Science and we have pretty stringent parameters to test and compare/contrast, so shoot me an email and we can discuss further.

• How to Recycle a Mattress: Are you or do you represent a recycling expert? Looking for 1-2 experts to speak on how to recycle old mattress properly.

• 11 Best Pet Adoption Sites: Still in need of pet adoption websites for a quick roundup. Not much to do here — just need websites on my radar to include.

• How Much Does a Passport Cost?: STILL looking for a source to extrapolate on the topic of passports; could be someone from USPS, TSA, or travel industry.

• Best Sleep Apps: Do you represent a sleep app? A sleep expert? Still looking for both for this roundup of about 15~ apps.

• 60 Graduation Party Ideas: Still looking for tons of ideas that relate to graduation parties; can be everything from decor and recipes to photo booth props, etc.

Also, it’s open season on sustainability pitches for Newsweek! Send me your sustainable product and I’ll do my best to whip it up into a roundup :)

Feel free to email me if you have any relevant contributions to the above assignments.

One more thing…

I’d be remiss not to address the tragedy that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas a few weeks ago. I do not really have words. I haven’t heard from or talked to many people that do. What do you say to the senseless?

Just know my heart goes out to all impacted—all 19 children, their families, and the families of the two teachers whose lives were also claimed.

Pitch, Please will always be a safe place. To share, to support, even to mourn. Let’s lift each other up. If you know of any valuable resources for the victims of Uvalde, please share them in a thread or by emailing me. I will be honored to pass them on.

See you next Monday, pitches.

Follow me:

Instagram: @stephosmanski

LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/StephanieOsmanski