Hiya writer friends,
I’ll start with an apology—I’m buried in emails and I’m so behind, it’s embarrassing. So if you’ve written with a personal note and haven’t heard from me yet, I give you permission to yell at me when I write to back to you next week.
So, lots happening around these parts. Summer holidays are officially over, school has started for my 12-year-old, and almost overnight the weather seems to have turned, signalling the beginning of autumn. There’s been warm, almost monsoon-like rain in these parts, and since monsoon is my favorite season, I’ve been going on long walks, reading in cafés, and eating more cake than is strictly necessary. (Because we all know it is necessary.)
Workwise, there are deadlines to meet, pitches flying out, and assignments trickling in. I feel very aligned with all I’m doing, even though I know I do too much of it sometimes. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this level of ease in my career before. Three weeks ago, I emailed a writing coach asking for a session so we could talk through my next steps. We haven’t had a chance to chat yet, but in articulating my questions with precision, I’ve already started arriving at the answers.
I never really understood how much motherhood and moving countries one after the other shifted my life and my identity. My goals had to change. My skill set had to change. My priorities had to change. I had to change. And while I am so incredibly happy with the life I’ve created, I don’t think I ever acknowledged how much I’ve missed what I left behind, particularly professionally.
For the last ten years, all I’ve thought about is my kid. But now he’s older and doesn’t need me in the same way. So I’m beginning to think about me again, and what I truly want from my career. I have half a life ahead of me. What can I shape it to be?
They’re interesting questions. I’m getting very excited about the internal and external work that will help me to arrive at the answers.
Cheers,
Natasha