Starting Afresh.
What the hell do you write about on your first Substack anyway?
Monday, 22nd September will be the day I really start working on my new company, Phonogram.
To note - I also said I would do this on Monday 15th September. Oh, and Monday the 8th.
My excellent friend Rachel Wheeley runs a lovely little podcast called Walk the Pod, which this month has the topic of 'vulnerability'. As I walked through the local country park listening to this week's episodes, I couldn't help but think she had designed it just for me. Leaving a job after 20+ years does make you feel rather vulnerable - not least around the money situation - especially when you don't really know what you're doing or where to start with the new life you think you should already have planned for yourself before leaving, but didn't really get round to.
However I'm choosing to believe that it is in the vulnerableness of change; in the grey patch of life where nothing is certain and everything seems a little too far away to touch, that you find some certainty in the future. Each week I spend off pottering, slowly organising a life that had seemed a bit unwieldy when work was taking up most hours, currently feels like an investment in the future.
I've done more cooking in two weeks than in the rest of the year. I have a cupboard full of stuff I'm actually thinking about using, and a little time - and crucially, headspace - to look at the recipe book collection I have and actually follow one. For the first time in years the email folder is almost organised. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm starting to breathe.
As for that non-existent plan? Well there is one, of sorts. More music, more walking, more life. Plus some work that really fascinates, excites and motivates me. This isn't about not working, it's about working smarter, and having balance in life.
So from Monday, 22nd September, I'm available. I can make your podcast, or give editorial advice, or do voiceovers, or present conferences, or whatever. I have nothing in the diary. Make it interesting, and I'm in. All yours. Otherwise I'll be making bread, writing nonsense like this, or hiking in the Peak District... all so come Monday 29th September, I'll be in an even better state to really start working on the company.
What I've been listening to: Georgjis Osokins - For Arvo