Margaret Schwartz
Strategic & Youth Initiatives, Outreach Coordinator
Margaret Schwartz is a civil servant, who dedicates her service to the attraction and retention of young people, and their ability to advance meaningfully in careers of choice, while contributing to valued change in Nova Scotia.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
This is going to sound silly because it is not at all related to my day-job, but earlier this year I made the short list for a poetry contest put on by the Nova Scotia Writers Federation.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
We are living in a turbulent time of change. The future of work has been sitting on the horizon for some time, and as a result of the pandemic, we have lunged into this era, rapidly advancing ourselves and our businesses into a digital economy. It can feel a lot like learning a new language. As we adapt, soft skills, adaptability and a growth mindset will become necessary for getting ahead. I feel in this new landscape, governments have the opportunity to connect with individuals more effectively than ever, to better understand and support the evolving needs of people and communities. With big change like this, comes opportunity. Going forward, how can we make civic engagement more appealing and more effective? How can we create welcoming environments in shared public spaces? How can we make Nova Scotia a safer place to live and work for all people? How can we normalize voicing your ideas for change without fear of consequences? We have the opportunity to rebuild systems that have historically left out key community voices. In 10 years there are many changes that I hope to see. Some being:
- More clarity and accessibility of skills development programs for youth, including an enhanced societal acceptance of alternative forms of education/training.
- Overlooked talent from under-represented communities in Nova Scotia is directly connected to opportunities, tools and resources - youth are able to reach their fullest potential and contribute to important change.
The unemployment rates of youth under-represented in the labour force have begun to decrease significantly. More young people are advocating for Nova Scotia as a great place to live, work and have impact.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
We’ve all hit our own kind of ‘rock bottom’ at some point. I hit one three years ago. But what turned it into a healthy shift, was how I chose to give attention to my pain, and turn inward. I let myself feel sad, and angry and alone. I felt it fully. And when I was finished feeling those feelings, I let it the pain pass through, and out of me. Then I allowed myself to be vulnerable to new experiences. I took it day by day, which helped me stay present and focused. And when you are feeling present, good things can manifest your way. Rather serendipitously, good opportunities seemed to come out of nowhere. Over time, things began to fall into place. I felt the shift. I felt as a person, I was growing more into who I really am.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
Everyday I read a few pages from ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. When I finish the book, I flip it over and start at the beginning again. It has been an incredibly grounding and transformative book that helps me focus on staying conscious, present and grateful in daily life. Many practices shared in the book have aided me emotionally and mentally through difficult periods. If you feel distracted by pain from your past or apprehension for the future, the tools in this book can help bring you to centre, and feel at ease, purposeful, connected.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
I have had two deep learning experiences this year. One was prompted by COVID19. The beginning stages of isolation were humbling and transitional. Being able to work comfortably and safely from home was a luxury that many did not have. The city shut down, a state of emergency transcended, we stayed the blazes home. For those with unstable domestic situations, this was dangerous or emotionally draining. For those who worked on the front-lines, home was a safe-haven. For some, staying home all the time was ‘boring’. COVID brought to light, and also heightened many inequitable disparities present in society. Boredom at home, was a privilege that I had to acknowledge on a deep, internal level. My second learning is close to home, and signifies the importance of understanding and supporting those close, who live with mental illnesses. The stigmas attached to the disease, make opening up and asking for help, really difficult. It takes courage. And so, I am currently on a self-learning journey - how to be the best emotional support system I can be for others, and for myself.
What were your priorities and how did they help you overcome some of the struggles you’ve faced?
There are a few practises I prioritize that help me be my happiest and most productive self.
I intentionally spend a few minutes everyday sitting in gratitude. Particularly if I am feeling overwhelmed, or upset about a current life situation. What this looks like for me, is mentally envisioning the things or people in life I am most grateful for, and why. If I am bothered by the actions of a particular person, I think of all the things I admire about them and why I am grateful for them being in my life, before I engage in dialogue. This practice is something I have to actively remind myself to do. And when I do it, my spirits lift, and I approach situations with a clearer mind. I feel positive, more motivated, and excited to build stronger relationships.
Self-care and protection of time is important to me. Self care for me can look like spending time alone, running, or walking in nature. It could be singing, or reading a good book curled up with peppermint tea. It could be taking a social media detox, meditating or creating something with my hands. Self care looks different for everyone, but it is important to allocate time for yourselves and the activities that replenish your energy.
One of these activities for me is journaling. Writing down my situations or reactions to events help me understand myself better, and the emotions that I may be burying and need to give attention to. Writing (especially poetry) has always been a healthy outlet and a release of negative or anxious energy. I feel alive and present after creative writing. You should never feel guilty pursuing or carving out time for the activities that nourish you, regardless of it meaning you have to cancel other plans.it can take assertiveness and courage (something I still have to psych myself up to do), but when you do take control of your plans, and your time, it feels like an act of self-respect, self-love. I challenge you, to put yourself first.
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Connector, Civil Servant, Writer, Volunteer