Here at MainStreet, we have been swamped, from kicking off the summer with our signature event, CavernFest, in June to Third Thursdays and weekly Farmers Markets through the end of September and a little bit of everything else in between. This summer, we decided to bring back some Saturday morning markets; we know that our community has missed them, and so have we! We hope to work them into our market season for next year to offer folks both a Thursday evening and Saturday morning option.

This September, Carlsbad MainStreet hosted the New Mexico Mainstreet’s Summer Institute Conference. The conference theme was “Volunteers: Powering MainStreets Across New Mexico Since 1984.” The conference saw attendees from MainStreet communities from all around the state, and we were proud to show them all Carlsbad has to offer. The conference theme, “showcasing volunteerism,” was fitting for Carlsbad because of our strong volunteer network, from our board of directors to partner organizations, families, friends, and community members willing to help. It was great to hear from other communities on how they recruit and retain volunteers and share tips with one another.

Taking the time to reflect can help us stop and think about how much work goes into putting together special events like those mentioned above, all while still maintaining our projects and regular monthly workload. While you’re in the thick of things, there is no “down” or “off” time; it is go, go, go 24-7. Going non-stop can often lead to burnout, which we never want to see, especially in the non-profit realm. Often, you feel like you must be available 24-7 or answer a call or email as soon as you receive it, but that is not always the case. I have learned to set boundaries and try my best to keep my work life and personal life separate to avoid that burnout of feeling like I am always working. While setting boundaries for myself is great, I also love that I am in a position where work never stops, which allows for a flexible work schedule. We live in a 24-hour workforce era where no two schedules are the same; we see people clocking out while others wakeup to start their day. This is especially true for Carlsbad, as many industries, like oil and gas, run 24/7.

I recently traveled back to Ireland and was reminded of the beauty of slowing down and reminding myself that not everywhere lives the fast-paced, 24-hour work culture as we do in the States. It was an unplanned trip, so I didn’t have my usual couple of weeks leading up where I was overworking myself, worried, and overthinking every little thing I could miss while I was away. While away, I was also reminded of a positive of the 24-hour workforce. Being 7 hours ahead while traveling meant that even though I was out and not technically working, I could catch up and check emails and things in the morning while in Ireland — while it was 2 a.m. here in Carlsbad and the official workday had yet to begin. We might think that we are “rural” in Carlsbad, but let me tell you, until you wake up at 7 a.m. in need of a coffee and realize the only shop doesn’t open until 9 a.m. or when it’s 7:30 p.m., and you run out of milk to realize the only shop within a 30 mile radius just closed 30 minutes ago, you gain a new appreciation for those who wake up for the early morning shift and those who work graveyards to make sure others have what they need 24/7.

So, as we all find our own way in our careers and lives, it is always good to appreciate those working on the opposite side of the 24-hour workforce. What is normal to one person may be out of the norm for another, but let’s be thankful that we live in a time with the flexibility and adaptability that we do.

Kat Davis,

Executive Director,
Carlsbad MainStreet Arts & Cultural District