How I’ve Changed
When I started, I second-guessed almost every creative decision. Now? I trust my gut.
One thing that’s boosted my confidence is the appreciation I get from my current daily line manager, Barbara, our Senior Digital Communications Manager. She often thanks me for my work on TikTok and those little acknowledgements mean the world. They make me want to push my ideas even further.
I’ve also become more self-aware. I now understand what environments I thrive in: collaborative ones where ideas are welcome, where mentorship is present, and where creativity and strategy go hand in hand. I’ve realised I really enjoy being in arts marketing, not just because I get to attend free concerts, but because I get to tell stories, connect people to culture, and be part of something that matters.
Here’s a little before-and-after:
Before:
- Unsure how to send a press release
- Nervous about scheduling public-facing posts
- No experience with email platforms or CMS tools
- InDesign = terrifying
- Hadn’t touched TikTok professionally
After:
✓ Confidently send press releases
✓ Schedule content across multiple platforms on Sprout Social
✓ Familiar with Charity Digital, InDesign & Spektrix
✓ Create monthly email newsletters
✓ Run TikTok content from filming to publishing
✓ Comfortable using the website CMS daily
Growth isn’t linear and it’s not always loud. Sometimes it looks like sending that slightly scary email. Other times, it’s quietly realising you can now do something that once terrified you. For me, the glow-up wasn’t just about what I learned, it was about believing I could learn it in the first place.