'Noticing': a gift that keeps on giving
Just when you thought you were finished learning the "lesson," it resurfaces once again for another season.
Hey Lovely,
Hello from the other side of 2024! What feelings greet you from where you read today?
As I signed off my last piece ‘Noticing’ I promised to share with you some of my own recent noticings which have led to me changing things up around here.
A yearning for creative freedom outside of my work is what initially drove me to Substack. I wanted a playground for my ideas to roam free from the titles bestowed upon me by my career. A vehicle that would drive me to write and rekindle my love for one of my first creative practices.
Whilst also deepening our connection together as we co-create a community knitted together through creativity and wellbeing. A connection which for many of us was initially formed through my work with my company Recess Living.
So when I first set up this Substack, I didn't give a moment's notice to the fact that the name I typed in my author box was 'Nina | Recess Living'.
When choosing a name for my publication, I proudly typed in 'Creating Recess' and gave myself a high five for being a branding genius and making sure that even when I'm enjoying the playground outside of my work, I would be scattering branding breadcrumbs everywhere, leading a cohesive trail back to my business, Recess Living - Yes, I have hyperlinked it here, in a non-shameful plug, because we create amazing, meaningful, creative wellness experiences for workplaces and brands. If your company is looking for support to cultivate a sense of belonging and a connected community in your workplace, then check us out.
Ok, back to my noticing, and herein lies my point, even when I intentionally set out to not think about work, there it was/is front and centre.
If you’re familiar with my story then you know that I previously burned down my career in TV production. I was just shy of two years before we would have celebrated our ‘China wedding anniversary’. More times than I care to mention I was very much wedded to my career and so when I left I was faced with the challenge of discovering who I truly was outside of my work.
It was a road I vowed not to tread down again, from that point forward, work would not define me. But here we are, 3 years later, with a new career unfolding. This time, I am wiser to the effects of burnout and armed with a toolbox of self-care and self-preservation.
I made sure to create spaces for myself to enjoy creative rest outside of work, yet the names I chose for said spaces were still work-related. Like a silky spider-web thread weaving around this space, facets of my work and the reminder that I can find it hard to break free from the bonds of my career. It’s challenging for me, but not impossible.
Truth be told last year this space did gift me the creative freedom I wanted, but I ended up writing more privately than publicly. Part of me feels guilty for that, the other part knows full well that this guilt is misplaced. Sometimes the pieces you write under the veil of a personal essay are only ever intended for an audience of one.
That’s the tricky thing about this tightrope I currently walk between being a wellness business owner and being a human who craves connection, camaraderie and solitude in equal measures. The lines are blurred between being on duty and off duty.
“Repurpose your pain, joy and learnings in the name of building a brand“ they say.
“People buy from People, no matter if you're selling a product or service, B2C or B2B.”
”In this season of business, every small business owner needs to have a personal brand.”
For full transparency this year I did briefly flirt with the idea of becoming/building a “personal brand”.
Then I lit a match to that rulebook and walked away. Making peace with the fact that in some respects in this digital day and age, some form of personal branding-ness will float around me and I didn't need to use energy, I didn't want to spend looking for a trowel to build a house I don’t want to live in.
Interestingly, as I noticed that work had crept into my space of play, on the flip side, I noticed where I was trying to incorporate more of this play into my work.
While developing a podcast series for my company, I kept looking for opportunities to share more ideas and stories about my notion of our Moments of Burn to Bloom. There I was whittling away furiously trying to make jigsaw puzzle pieces fit in spaces that they are too big for.
That's the thing, sometimes we try and funnel too many things through one channel because at the time we aren’t aware there are other channels available to us.
When we stop and notice suddenly we can see where there is space (and a need) to create new openings to allow that energy and expression to flow. Breathe. Expand and grow in new horizons. And that's what's happening here with this space.
So with the arrival of a new (creative) season and the releasing of titles, I bring you;
‘Through Moments of Burn to Bloom’ a space online where we can openly explore the messy magic of change and the learnings, lessons and luggage* it gifts us along the way.
(*some luggage taking the form of blessings others - straight up baggage you wish hag got lost in transit)
Through personal essays (mine and others), podcasts and online gatherings we shall pay homage to the Burn to Bloom moments that have shaped who we are today.
Inspired to share your own story of change?
There are two ways for you to get involved.
Once a month, I will publish a guest post created by a member of this community. The format for your post is completely open!
Write a personal essay, share a poem or a song, or open up the pages of your art journal to us and tell us about a piece inspired by your Burn to Bloom Moment. It could be:
The Burn to Bloom Moment that first came to mind when you discovered this substack.
A career Burn to Bloom Moment.
A Burn to Bloom Moment you never saw coming.
A Burn to Bloom tale of love.
The only stipulation is that your piece must be a personal account, no expert essays or "5 ways to..." type listicles. Just real, true-life creative expressions from you, please.
If you'd like to collaborate, email me at hello@recessliving.com with the subject line "Substack Burn to Bloom Idea." In a short paragraph, share with me your idea and what has inspired you to create it. Why does it feel important to you to share this piece right now? I will only publish 10-12 guest posts per year, so I won't be able to accept every pitch. If you haven't heard from me within 2 weeks, feel free to pitch the idea elsewhere.
Prefer to chat?
Feature in a minisode episode of our Podcast Moments to Burn to Bloom
Send a 2-5 minute audio note to hello@recessliving.com telling us all about one of your burn-to-bloom moments
I can’t wait to see how this Substack space grows and blooms, but if this is the fork in the road where we go separate ways, (click the unsubscribe button below to stop receiving posts) then thank you for all your support and well wishes. It has been wonderful spending time with you. Sending you Love, Light and Peace always.
If you are interested in walking on this journey with me then I look forward to connecting with you in the comments and other areas of this platform.
If you haven't had a chance yet to dive into The Moments of Burn to Bloom Podcast enjoy listening to the first episodes here
Here’s to the power within a pause and noticing showing us when we need to burn things down to allow new Blessings to Bloom.
An invitation to reflect
What message(s) have your recent noticings been sending you?
Who are you without your titles? Without being a partner a manager, a friend, a parent or a professional {insert your work title}?
What creative buds would you like to see bloom this year?
If you would like to reflect in community, about any of the prompts above feel free to leave a comment below. Until next time, I wish you love, light, and peace.
If your new to the idea of creative rest check out this wonderful piece
recently contributed to
I noticed while doing some new years reflections that everything I was thinking about was business related. I had to intentionally take time to think about things outside work.
I love this and am constantly inspired by you! ❤️