Baumann out as AP Journalist, all IN on Interior Design - with pop-up vintage sale in Bellingham starting June 1

I’ve finally done it. After taking a sabbatical last fall from The Associated Press where I was a journalist for the last dozen years, I’ve accepted a buyout offer. April 30 was my last official day.

It was mostly a good run. I jumped back into journalism in 2007 knowing even then it would be a wild ride but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t. I leave it behind now after working in Minnesota, Montana and Washington state at a weekly newspaper, a daily, an online startup and The AP.

That's me around 2007 as editor of the Pine Journal in Cloquet, Minnesota.

By far, the best part of those jobs was connecting with people in and out of the newsroom. To me the point was to tell people what was happening by putting the voices and images of "the people" out into the world for others to know them, relate to them and understand that we are not alone and that people everywhere so often want to help however they can.

I’m thankful for the people who let me in and trusted me with their stories and experiences and who were kind when I got it right and sometimes painfully kind when I didn’t. Sure, I got yelled a few times but I also received some lovely notes. And I really cared. I cared deeply about doing the best that I could because I felt like a steward or advocate and felt responsible for the stories and words used and photos published. It was fun and challenging and rarely dull.

Hard at work for The AP in 2014 at the Washington State Legislature.

Moving from on-the-scene reporting to more desk work was OK but over time, and as we left the traditional newsroom setting to work from home, some of that personal connection seemed to go with it. I started to feel less attached and more burned out as I worked on bigger national stories which mostly meant the more traumatizing ones. 

More than two years ago when burnout from reporting on national breaking news and helping on the war in Gaza took hold, I looked at options that would spark more creative joy. I landed on interior design. What an energizing creative outlet that gives a similar sense of personal connection. I so enjoy understanding what is important to clients in the space they call home and feel privileged to be able to help them realize it and transition to this work at this stage of my work life.

I've also become hooked on finding special (and often) vintage pieces for clients and have been collecting them to use in my business and to sell to others. My first foray into selling will happen the first week of June in my booth at Penny Lane Antique Mall. I'll post more about that next week along with some sneak peaks at some of the goods. And of course, if you are thinking about changing up your home let me know. I’d love to talk with you about your vision and help you make it a reality. 

As they say, onward and upward!

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