The Year of the Mask

I love when the new year rolls around. I know that time really has no boundaries, and December 31 rolls effortlessly into January 1 with no fireworks of its own accord. But the thought of starting anew is exhilarating to many people, and the New Year’s resolutions that everyone talks about are a result of this excitement. It is as if we are shedding off the old and physically stepping into a new year. In January of 2020, I was enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, looking to buy a house, and had sworn off wine and any kind of unhealthy food. I had such high hopes for the coming year.

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Remember that your emotional mask should be removed as often as your cloth one, and it should receive the same amount of care. There is strength, not weakness, in admitting you need help. Especially if you know that the holidays will bring even more stress and sadness, there is no better time to confidentially learn coping mechanisms from a trained professional at no cost to you.

Rachel Royal is a State Bar Certified Paralegal for the Wilmington City Attorney’s office. She supports two attorneys who handle city Police, Fire, Litigation, and Employment issues for the City. She lives in Wilmington, N.C. with her husband Reuben, and their children, Phoenix and Christian. Mrs. Royal grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and enjoys reading, writing, cooking, music, weightlifting, and outdoor activities. She graduated with honors from Carteret Community College in May 2017, as the recipient of the Paralegal Technology Graduate of the Year Award. She has been involved with the Paralegal Division since 2015 as a student member, won the NCBA Paralegal Student scholarship in 2016, and has been a Council Member and Pro Bono Co-Chair since May 2018. Mrs. Royal’s goal as a division member is to inspire paralegals to feel pride in their career and promote involvement in pro bono services across the state.

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The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog and listserv, the Communications Committee provides information written by attorneys, paralegals, and other experts designed specifically for paralegals in the areas of substantive law, ethics, technology, paralegal practice advice, and more. If you are interested in volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair, Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other Division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here. You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, submitting a proposed blog post, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself.