“I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
“But I made this mistake here, and this graphic was blue instead of red, and it took too long to get to the point.”
“I don’t even deserve to be nominated; there are people who’ve been at this so much longer than I have.”
A million and one thoughts ran through my head last Thursday morning, the day writers, producers, reporters, editors, and all journalists alike had marked in their calendars for months.
Emmy-nominations.
Awards had never really been at the top of my priorities as a journalist.
I’m in this industry because I love people, I love writing, and I love giving a voice to those who go overlooked.
And to be honest, I thought awards were saved for the people who had been in the industry for decades, not just a measly few years.
But it was hard to contain my excitement when I learned my job was submitting two of the shows I produced for recognition, and I, of course, immediately called everyone in my family to share the news.
Over the next few weeks, I kept reassuring myself that it was okay if I wasn’t nominated, that my name on a list didn’t define the work I did.
But come Thursday morning, all of the insecurities I thought I had buried away came rushing back in, picking apart everything I felt I had done wrong.
Finding out that both of my submissions had been nominated resulted in a lot of joy and also a lot of reflection.
If I didn’t get the nominations, would I still be proud of the work that I did?
Would I still feel confident in the words that I write? The shows I produce?
I’m not sure of the answer, but next time nominations roll around, I want to be able to say yes.
Awards are fun, and yes, they’re pretty cool, but I want the ultimate prize to be knowing I’m entrusted with some of the hardest times in our communities, and to deliver the news to thousands of Tennessee and Kentucky residents with care and compassion.
so proud of you! congratulations!!!