Taking a Break: Why I'm Pressing Pause on ABG to Focus on Self-Care and Renewal
A Balanced Glass just turned five. It’s been an incredible five years, thanks to you and the other members of the ABG community. Together, we have helped to change the discussion around the challenges of working with alcohol.
This journey started in March 2017 with an article I wrote for Meininger's Wine Business International about the challenges of working in a profession steeped in alcohol.
That article spurred a follow up story. The response was so strong that, one year later, in March 2018, I registered and launched A Balanced Glass. From the beginning it’s been a website and community forum that aimed to raise awareness of the topic of alcohol and wellbeing, and to support industry professionals.
Five years later, and as evidenced by the most recent magazine cover story in Wine Spectator on industry health and wellbeing, the topic is finally starting to receive the mainstream attention that it deserves.
Getting ABG to this point has been a labor of love, one shared by all the amazing collaborators, contributors, guest writers, featured personalities, and this community. A journey that has been intense, affirming, and deeply rewarding.
Since day one, ABG has been funded by me personally, and supported through the tireless efforts, collaboration and writings of Cathy Huyghe, Alicia Laury, and Tyke Jones, to keep the newsletter on time, the website running and ABG vibrant in the online social and digital space.
We’ve also benefited enormously from a small group of guest contributors and close counsel who have offered their talents, perspectives and opinions for free. Special shoutout and deep gratitude goes to Jayne Portnoy, Michelle Magat and Gill Gordon-Smith for their always staunch support for possible directions for ABG.
But in order to understand how best to lead this conversation through its next stage of evolution, some deep introspection is now required. Much like the lotus at the center of the ABG logo, there can be no growth without periods of quiet in ‘the mud’.
So starting next week, I am putting myself and ABG on sabbatical for a short while, and as plans develop, we will again reach out for your always valuable input, ideas, and collaboration to take ABG to its next stage of growth.
Until then, be kind to each other, and especially to yourself.
With love and deep gratitude,
Beck
