Triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13
I’ve known many people with an aversion to this perceived “unlucky” number, whether serving as a date of particular significance or - the more common superstition - when it should happen to fall on a Friday, of all days. Personally, I’ve taken special care to note any particularly negative occurrences on these infrequent juxtapositions of day and date, with thankfully few to report. Just another day, as they say.
And with that, today - May 2nd - I commemorate the 13th anniversary of my start date here at South Bay’s Neighbor Newspapers. Over one dozen years ago, I began my journey into the world of journalism, straight from college. At the time, thirteen years would have certainly seemed like an eternity to spend in any one establishment. Think about it - even school, which often seems like an infinite chunk of time, is divided into segments of elementary, junior high and senior high. College, if it follows, is usually segmented into four-year intervals. Thirteen years… well that’s an entirely different level of commitment, is it not?
And yet, even in the workforce, time tends to separate into stages. It begins with the formative years of finding your footing in a particular field, still unsure of what the job entails and what your responsibilities will include. Everything is new and exciting as you realize - hey, I’m really doing this! These are followed by the years of transition, when positions may be altered, new projects will come and go, and you begin to discover your particular strengths and weaknesses en route to finding your true passion.
Thirteen years in, and I am still in the process of realizing those aspects of the vast field of journalism which really inspire me. I am open to learn, eager to explore and always looking to improve upon those skills I originally honed all those decades ago. I believe this process is never complete; those who have worked in a particular field for twice as long as I have can surely attest to this fact.
Who’s to say that anyone has to stay with one particular venture for a lifetime anyway? The world is constantly evolving, as are we; and the nature of most careers tends to necessitate a versatility that didn’t always exist prior. We all have untapped skills to be utilized, curiosities to indulge and talents to cultivate.
So, here’s to 13, a number like any other, if you ask me. May it signify all the experience gained thus far, and the adventures yet to unfold.
Published: May 2, 2018