Meet the Gal Behind the Curtain
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
I thought it would be a good start to this week's issue to finally introduce myself, after having received an increasing number of inquiries as to whether or not this newsletter is written by AI, which is a valid concern given how many content creators have either relinquished their creative processes to AI or started because AI is available. Even so, rest assured, this is written by a fellow human that decided to take it upon herself to unearth the hidden goods around our community!
So, where to start? 🤔 Generically, my name is Nico Page. I have two teenagers (pray for me), three German Shepherd mixes (again... pray for me) and a technologically inclined husband. I enjoy writing, reading, crocheting, cross stitching and being outside. My teens and pups keep me busy a lot of the time, but I've still managed to find some time to begin training for my first 5k.
Professionally, I have a degree in Elementary Inclusive Education and graduated in 2020 from MSUM. Unfortunately, this came at a time when there was a hard pivot into online learning, which left me, and so many others, scrambling to find something else to do, leading to my entrance into Corporate Compliance.
Working in Corporate (especially compliance) has a way of stripping any warmth or uniquity you have as an individual, replacing it with robotic like coldness, or at least it did for me. This is where my (sometimes) AI-like writing style comes from. I mean, when you're burnt out, regularly working 60+ hours a week, and know that every email that you send will be scrutinized to no end in the hopes of finding some sort of loophole, you begin to write like a machine and, not to mention, become jaded about the human condition.
My team was a part of the first round of cuts in favor of AI solutions in 2023. Thankfully, I am not a person that gives up easily, so I hit the internet in search of a role that would utilize all my skills as an educator and compliance manager while being more creative and human-centered. Not surprisingly, I found that in the nonprofit world, specifically working with our neighbors that are struggling with food insecurity. Having grown up in poverty and suffering from food insecurity, myself, I felt like it was my calling. I absolutely loved my job!
Unfortunately, remember that one time, like a minute ago, when I said "Corporate (especially compliance) has a way of stripping any warmth or uniquity you have as an individual, replacing it with robotic like coldness"? Yea? Well, apparently, that takes more than six months to go away, so I found myself bringing rigidity and distance to a role that required a large amount of empathy, connection and flexibility. This disconnect led to a lot of headbutting and differences in priorities, which, ultimately, led to me being cut loose. Poor culture fit, and all. That was around this time last year.
Presently, I took some time off to rest, heal and reflect on who I was and who I want to become. It took me the better part of a year to come back to myself, but I eventually got there. Throughout this time, I've learned that helping people and connecting with my community is a big priority for me, as is filling my creative bucket, which had been leaking for quite some time.
While I miss my role in nonprofit, and am sad that they didn't get the healed version of myself that could have 100% done that role justice, I'm grateful for the wake up call and lessons I've learned because they've led me to where I am and what I'm doing, today - exploring and connecting with our community and writing the Meadowlark Informer for all of you fine people!
This is by far my favorite creative outlet and I hope that the love I have for our community shows more and more with every issue that goes out. If you ever see me out and about, please don't be afraid to say "hi!" I'm always down for a good chat! đź’›
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