Reconnection in 2025

2025 isn’t over yet, but hoo boy, what a year. While it’s no secret that things have been challenging in our industry (and, obviously, *gestures at everything*), and we have certainly felt it here at P&P, there have still been some bright spots through the darkness. As I’ve spent some time reflecting recently, it’s clear that this year became an exercise in refocusing on and building CONNECTION.
 
As an introvert, putting myself out there, being in larger groups, and prioritizing self-promotion doesn’t always come naturally. But as the co-owner of a graphic design business, those things are incredibly important and necessary. Whenever I do invest in those practices, I’m always reminded of how rewarding it can be.

Most days are so packed it can be hard to focus on cultivating community and relationships: meeting deadlines; co-running a business and household; being present as a parent; trying to take small steps to do positive things in my local community; maybe taking a moment here and there to exercise; and not spend every waking minute outside of those dissociating or doomscrolling. (If anyone has any tips on that, I’m all ears). 

Looking back over the year, though, my heart does feel a bit more full knowing that I put some real energy into building actual connection. As I was jotting them down to remind myself that not everything is terrible, there were a handful of themes that emerged that were the most impactful.      

 ☕ Networking

Sometimes I hear the word networking and immediately associate it with small talk with random “financial advisors” sipping cheap wine and passing out business cards over stale cheese spreads (yuck/yawn). But this year I prioritized reaching out to have coffee/ramen/Zoom dates with other creative colleagues and industry folks I admire. Sometimes that resulted in making yet another connection with someone I never knew before, and found some shared interest or a kindred spirit. I really enjoyed reconnecting with designer friends from other chapters of my career, and appreciated folks being so generous with their time, especially when life is so hectic. There was something really lovely about talking through the things we’re struggling with, what we’re excited about, and just random ideas and life stuff. There’s just nothing that can replicate that kind of connection and I’m really grateful for that this year. 

(Also, OK, fine, I’ll spend more time on LinkedIn.) 

🎤 Events & Workshops

We definitely used to travel and participate in more camps, workshops, and events, but since COVID that’s taken a hit and we haven’t quiiiite gotten that mojo back fully. However, this year Meg and I (sometimes together, sometimes on our own) took time away from the computer to spend time with other people in a room, sharing an experience, and learning new things. My faves were:

AIGA Maine’s Design Fest

While I only attended the last full-day event, which was part of an incredible week-long lineup, I got so much out of the whole day. (Coincidentally, this year’s theme was connections.) All of the talks were really great, and I particularly loved learning about the mural work of husband-and-wife team Ryan & Rachel Gloria Adams, as well as Queer Design Club, a global community for LGBTQ+ designers founded by Rebecca Brooker. 

For anyone in the design field in or around Maine, I highly recommend this event. It’s really well planned and executed by AIGA Maine members and volunteers. (H/T to the incredibly smart, talented, and ever-so-stylish Emily Foran, AIGA Maine’s president and fellow design baddie.)    

AIGA Boston’s GENUX Symposium

GENUX was co-founded by the brilliant Amy Parker of Woods Creative, and Alex Carr, a former co-worker I go wayyyy back with to our first graphic design jobs, and has since built such an incredible career as a founder and tech agency leader. It was a cup-filling day that started off with a hands-on product prototyping workshop followed by a full day of inspiring and thought-provoking talks. Highly recommend.  

CEI Women’s Business Center’s Women Mean Business Summit

Meg and I enjoyed spending the day in Hallowell, Maine back in June with 100 or so other business women from all different industries discussing resilience and challenges unique to women in business. Good food, interesting conversations, and even a soak in a hot tub at the Inn the night before. Much needed.   

💡 Teaching

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a former professor at my alma mater, which turned into an afternoon reviewing and critiquing a lovely group of rising seniors’ graphic design portfolios, which turned into Pixels & Pulp hiring one of the most promising of the group as a graphic design intern this fall. Truly a full-circle moment for me as my graphic design career was a direct result of my experience going through Endicott College’s internship program. 

I’ve never really done any formal teaching, but helping diversify a student’s education with some real-world graphic design experience has been a treat. Sometimes I take for granted how much knowledge I have amassed over the last 22+ years (gulp!) and getting to help educate and encourage a young person about to embark on their professional design career has been very fulfilling. Hopefully she’ll come away from the experience with a few more tools in her toolkit, and I hope to stay connected well beyond the conclusion of the internship.

🧠 Investing in professional development/hobbies

My brain/soul lights up when I’m learning new things. And while there is a lot of uncertainty in the tech/UX/design industry with the rise of AI and general economic turmoil, I’ve been experimenting with trying new projects to learn some skills that fall outside what clients and web development teams typically hire me for. Collaborating one-on-one with a colleague recently, trying something new, really has been nourishing my brain. 

Also, earlier this year, I upgraded my photography equipment. While I don’t necessarily see it turning into a source of income (never say never?), working on my photo/editing skills has encouraged me to reconnect with two professional photographer friends I’ve known for over two decades, and they’ve been incredibly kind and encouraging. A highlight was a photo adventure we went on at Old Orchard Beach this summer, strolling around the nostalgic boardwalk, motels, and rides, practicing some new technical skills. I also had an incredible opportunity to be the event photographer for a friend-colleague’s singing retreat in Vermont in September. The entire event felt like an exercise in connection (with others, with self, with nature) and it stretched me out of my comfort zone in several ways. I’m so grateful for that experience.
   

🎧 Podcasts 

Lastly, in my (mostly-failed) attempts to limit screen time/doomscrolling, I am trying to balance my media consumption with things that actually fuel connection and are less anxiety-provoking. (As someone with GAD/SAD, this is an important time of year in particular for me to pay more attention to that.) I’ve been finding some solace in a few podcasts from other women in the industry.

One that I’ve really been enjoying this year is Kyle Soucy’s UX Consultants Lounge. In episode #9 she interviews Christine Perfetti of Lift Up Connections and the discussion felt so relatable. They chatted about many topics that inhabit that “messy middle” many women in the midpoint of their career are facing. It’s been really nice to hear stories from other folks who are experiencing similar struggles and hearing how they are managing it and finding community. Connection was a huge through-line in the conversation and I will for sure be looking more into Christine’s podcast and her work in connection and career. 

HONORABLE MENTION:

♥️ Therapy

Having access to a mental health professional is definitely a privilege and something I don’t take for granted. That one-on-one time to connect with myself on a deeper level has also helped me see how much I value and need connection with others. As a self-employed person working from my home office for over 17 years, it can be…quite isolating, and if I’m being really honest, it has taken a toll. While I do love solitude to recharge my social battery, I need to balance that more with things that feel enriching and open me up to new ideas, skills, and perspectives.
 

Looking ahead

Even if the typical markers of success didn’t quite materialize this year the way they have in the past, I know that these efforts will have ripple effects, and I’m hoping to keep bringing that energy forward into 2026. Whether it was an overnight for a conference, or a quick coffee date, it all felt like intentional action, and ultimately led to meaningful connection in some way.

If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you taking the time to read. I’d love to hear if any of this has resonated with you and what ways you are making space for connection in a world that is feeling less and less so, in spite of having access to, as Bo Burnam says, “a little bit of everything, all of the time.”

Collage artwork by Elise Weeks.