But autumn is upon us, the kids are back at school, and it's time to get back into the routine. It's also a good time for reflection, taking on new projects and challenges and generally giving yourself a new boost.
I've been changing a few things in my life recently, for all sorts of reasons, and what better way to give my professional life a right royal kick up the bum than heading off to ASETRAD's 10th Anniversary Conference in Toledo. This weekend I've finally managed to put soooooooo many names to faces, as well as having the privilege of exchanging opinions and experiences with fellow translators and language professionals, as well as having the chance to listen to and learn from the excellent speakers and workshop leaders.
This is the other side of our line of work - getting out from behind a computer screen and meeting your colleagues. It's refreshing to know that you are not alone in your everyday worries - marketing, client negotiations, rates, specialisation - and that there is a whole network of people out there who can - and will - help you when you need it. It's also fascinating to hear about what makes other translators tick. There are so many different branches to our business - literature, art, technical, medical, poetry to name just a few, and we all have different views and preferences, and different approaches to work. Other translators are not "the competition" - they are an invaluable source of support, advice, collaboration and dare I say it, friendship.
