Dear Friends,

I’ve just returned from a truly memorable trip to France, and I find myself reflecting on an experience that felt both joyful and grounding. While I was there, I had the opportunity to reconnect with a family I first met years ago when I was working at a summer camp during college. Thanks to Facebook, we had stayed loosely in touch over the years, and this trip gave us the chance to turn that digital connection back into something real.

I spent a weekend with them in the south of France, and it was everything you might imagine and more. We explored the countryside, cooked meals together, laughed endlessly, and enjoyed incredible food and wine. It was a beautiful reminder of what the French so perfectly describe as "joie de vivre."

This is Geraldine in Provence, France, who is the wife of Laurent, who I met at summer camp while I was in college. She personifies 'joie de vivre,' and I am so glad I was able to spend the weekend with her and her husband!

I have always loved my work, and I am deeply passionate about what I do. But this trip reminded me that there is a whole world outside of work that deserves just as much attention. Taking time to have fun, to explore, to reconnect with people and to expand your horizons is not a luxury. It is essential.

Like many of you, I sometimes struggle to strike the right balance. This experience was a powerful reminder that work and life are not meant to compete with each other, but to complement one another.

I need to remind myself of that!

Happy May!

Nancy Marshall

The PR Maven®

nancy@prmaven.com

Recently Featured

Six Ways AI Can Help the Public Relations Industry

AI is pushing us to think differently, but the real shift is not just in what we ask; it’s how we ask.

Read Article

How To Conquer Clutter and Stay Focused at Work

For anyone feeling overwhelmed by clutter, our columnist offers a few simple steps to get started.

Read Article

No Laughing Matter: How To Bring Humor to the Workplace

If you’re trying to bring more laughter to work, our columnist suggests sticking to safer jokes and being careful with imitations.

Read Article

Getting a Grip on the Art of the Handshake in Business Settings

There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to shake hands, our guest columnist writes in this handy guide.

Read Article

Tip of the Month

Make plans to go on vacation!

Do something that is fulfilling, educational, healthy and eye-opening. It’s good to always have something on your calendar that you look forward to…other than work! I am writing this now as much for myself as for all of the readers of this newsletter!

My trip to France was arranged through a business in Portland, Maine called "Local Rendezvous Travel." Jennifer Wolcott is the owner, and she arranges amazing itineraries in France. If you are interested in going, I highly recommend you check out www.localrendezvoustravel.com.

Connect With Me

prmaven.com

nancy@prmaven.com