Sometimes the hardest part of change isn’t figuring out what’s next, it’s letting go of what no longer serves you. Thanks for reading Erin Gregory Creative! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. When Marissa Malson’s company was acquired and layoffs began, she could see the writing on the wall. “It was clear that their vision for my role and mine didn’t match up,” she said. “They continued to lay off members of my team… and eventually, in the fall of 2024, they let me go.” For many of us, that kind of ending brings fear, and the instinct to scramble for the next job and some sense of stability. But for Marissa, the layoff became something else entirely: a chance to stop, breathe, and reevaluate. “Leaving that job wasn’t something that upset me,” she told me. “The way they handled it was less than kind, but once I let that go, I was free to move on to finding my true passion.” After fifteen years in marketing, from sports and retail to manufacturing and software, Marissa realized that none of those roles quite aligned with the kind of work that lit her up. She wanted something more creative and meaningful. So instead of rushing into another corporate role, she did something she’d never done before: she took time for herself. “I’ve never not had a job lined up after leaving a company,” she said. “So this was new territory, but I wasn’t scared.” A Pivot Toward a New Purpose What she did next might sound familiar to anyone who’s ever felt the pull toward a more creative existence. Marissa had started writing a mystery novel months earlier, not quite sure where it was heading. After the layoff, she decided to finish it. “I began writing The Not So Average Life of Average Jane in early 2024,” she said. “I took this opportunity to finish and publish my book.” She also enrolled in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program in Editing and Publishing, completing her certificate later that year. What could have been a year of stress and anxiety became a time of growth and opportunity. Today, Marissa is a published author with a sequel due out in 2026 and the founder of Just A Good Book Publishing, a company that helps independent authors publish, market, and share their work. “I’ve connected with readers all over the world who’ve shared how much they love my book,” she said. “I’m more involved in my own community through book clubs, markets, and other reader events. I’m happier being on my own schedule, and even though owning your own business has its challenges, I’m determined to stay on this path.” When we spoke, Marissa talked about the divine timing that guided her along the way. “I happened to be at my alma mater, the University of Dayton, for a basketball game when I saw an ad for the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop,” she said. “I was just looking for coffee that morning and wandered into the library, where they had an Erma exhibit on display. That one decision kickstarted my publishing path.” Later, while still working full time, she discovered a love for fiction writing she hadn’t known was there. “The idea for my book came to me after one of my regular yoga classes,” she said. “The words were just in my head, and I had to get them out. I wrote the first three chapters in the Notes app on my phone.” The Power of the Pause When I asked Marissa what she would say to someone navigating their own “messy middle,” her answer was simple: “Take a deep breath and step back. It can be hard to see what the right path is, so get advice from friends and family and let them support you. Go for a walk or do an activity where you can let your mind wander, that’s when the inspiration comes and you can clearly see your path. Then keep going and don’t give up.” For Marissa, healthy practices like yoga, long walks, and disconnecting from electronics helped her find clarity. So did the encouragement of others. “Sometimes the people around you can see the progress you’ve made better than you can,” she said. Her story is a reminder that losing what we thought we wanted often makes room for what we truly need. Because the middle, the uncertain, messy, in-between, is where we stop performing and start figuring out who we are. Listen to my full conversation with Marissa Malson on Notes from the Messy Middle, wherever you get your podcasts, or at eringregorycreative.substack.com. Thanks for reading Erin Gregory Creative! This post is public so feel free to share it. Erin Gregory Creative is the studio of Erin Gregory, a writer, marketing strategist, and full-time communications and branding consultant for mission-driven leaders. As host of Notes from the Messy Middle, a podcast on Substack exploring creativity, communication, and intentional living, Erin connects personal growth with strategic storytelling, helping people and brands speak with more clarity and purpose. Read more at www.eringregorycreative.com or connect on LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eringregorycreative.substack.com/subscribe
