Voice Over Gratitude in a Challenging Year

Gratitude. This time of year, everywhere you turn there are lists. Ewey, gooey posts dripping with sentiment. People naming the projects they were proud to take part in. Or the fabulous opportunity that propelled them forward. The support of family. Yes, truly, all those things are amazing, wonderful, and to be cherished.

But let's get real...overall 2025 has been…a challenge. I mean, be honest. Many of us have felt like we’re dragging a hundred pound weight with us everywhere we go!

I haven’t had any major wins, but I am still grateful  for those tiny little nuggets of hope and positivity that came along….no matter how insignificant they may have seemed at the time. I’m devastated over the loss of my father in February. But I’m grateful that it has caused me to think of him every day out of the blue, and resurrect some of his favorite sayings, like “Don’t be a stranger or any stranger than you have to be”, be reminded of his laugh, his love of pranks, and how he enjoyed calling on your birthday to sing a very out of tune rendition of “Happy Birthday”. Those things make me smile.

AI has taken a massive bite out of the eLearning industry and hit me pretty hard. But I’m grateful that this downturn has forced me back to my roots of corporate narration, seeking new commercial voice over coaching, and secretly anticipating the day when companies realize their modules sound like everyone else’s modules, and no one wants that. I for one will welcome them back.

I’m thankful I’ve been smart enough to really read contracts, and suss out those hidden notes about AI usage. And to NAVA, for their AI Rider that I’ll be working to employ in the new year.

I’m incredibly grateful that some clients, who I thought had slipped away actually came back for multiple bookings this year. It restores my faith in the voice over industry and was such a welcome treat!

Yeah, I made some pricing mistakes early on, but I am grateful events of this year have prompted me to be more precise in the future, and use the resources available to make sure I’m valuing my own worth. Thank you GVAA!

My goal this year was to grow my contact list enough where I had no need for pay to play sites. I’m sad that I find I still need them. But, when I hear about respected artists returning to pay to play, I realize I’m in a really fantastic group. And I am so grateful that I actually earn in this environment, when I know a lot of other folks don’t.

I treasure my own ability to find the silver lining, even when it’s buried way underneath. I’m not sure where that drive to bounce back comes from but I’m glad it's there!

So yes. Overall I am grateful. Grateful for friends and family and our little dog who bring me so much joy. Grateful for opportunities to learn and grow and the mentors and coaches who get me there. Grateful for the supportive nature and camaraderie of the voice over community. Voice Over Gratitude in a Challenging Year.

In just over a month, we get a whole new year to bring in more joy and light. Fantastic!!

However, I will be the first to slam the lid shut on the dumpster fire that 2025 has been! And that I will be especially grateful for!