Loved this, Rachel! I appreciate that you went as far as to share the time it took to write this very essay. I know I find myself hesitant to share details like that because it feels like exposing a dirty secret somehow: “hey audience, I only spent x time on making this thing for you!” “Only” in quotes lol. 2.5 hours is meaningful, especially as a parent!
But exposing it reveals your belief that making something good does not necessarily have a linear relationship with the time spent making it, which is a cultural script I’m trying hard to counter for myself. Thank you, as always, for your honesty and insights! 💙
Great post, I feel like I’ve missed so many of yours somehow🙃 I cannot wait for Emma Simpson podcast! So excited for that.
Though I felt like I got massively screwed over at work as my mental and physical health was rapidly deteriorating, I have tons to be thankful for. Tons of business and management experienced, something I was extremely passionate about and studied a lot in my spare time. The ability to start up businesses from scratch, market and promote, take care of customers whilst building sales. My glowing reputation! The opportunity I was gifted by my last company to put into practice what I knew would work.
Yesterday, I shared a no-send letter I wrote to work (behind my paywall so it’s not accessible to the world). Writing it 2 years ago bought me immediate healing in my dreams and recently fully healed (only took 6 years!). Such a worthy practice.
This piece makes me think of parts - the parts of you that did an AMAZING job at getting shit done and being successful in a worldly sense, because that's what they were trained to do - and that it's important to appreciate and celebrate them even after the original reasons they had start to (deliciously) melt away... And yes, paradox - would you be YOU without those years, with all the gifts that the NOW you offers the world? Thanks for sharing & sending love.
Congratulations!! I think family bonding can be as rewarding as your need to pursue professional interests. There is a time and place for everything- not all at the same time. I would have done the same thing as you did
this is exactly how I feel about my first restaurant job (still have nightmares), working full time while getting a masters degree, and my last job that gave me a nervous breakdown. I know I can handle my shit!!
I have reflected on these themes a lot since we spoke as well!! There is so much truth here, and I think it's great to challenge the narrative of what is 'good' and 'bad' for us. I know that I get so much from my 'drive' although it can also break me, so it's the constant balancing act of what is enough and what is too much. The point about money really hit home too. I also was very fortunate to have a high paying career for years - that has enabled me to walk away and become a writer. That in itself feels like a dirty secret but I couldn't have afforded to do this without those years. I love being driven even though it challenges me hugely, and I'm not sure that I'm able to be any other way... Can't wait to hear our conversation! xx
Loved this, Rachel! I appreciate that you went as far as to share the time it took to write this very essay. I know I find myself hesitant to share details like that because it feels like exposing a dirty secret somehow: “hey audience, I only spent x time on making this thing for you!” “Only” in quotes lol. 2.5 hours is meaningful, especially as a parent!
But exposing it reveals your belief that making something good does not necessarily have a linear relationship with the time spent making it, which is a cultural script I’m trying hard to counter for myself. Thank you, as always, for your honesty and insights! 💙
Haha that’s so funny, that felt like the most revealing detail to me, and I almost took it out! Glad you appreciated it :)
I also argue with myself, and even so, I often lose the argument.
I feel this so hard.
It makes me wonder whose side I’m on.
"...when I write here, it's not about efficiency." YES! Thats why we are here. That passion and care are so precious.
Great post, I feel like I’ve missed so many of yours somehow🙃 I cannot wait for Emma Simpson podcast! So excited for that.
Though I felt like I got massively screwed over at work as my mental and physical health was rapidly deteriorating, I have tons to be thankful for. Tons of business and management experienced, something I was extremely passionate about and studied a lot in my spare time. The ability to start up businesses from scratch, market and promote, take care of customers whilst building sales. My glowing reputation! The opportunity I was gifted by my last company to put into practice what I knew would work.
Yesterday, I shared a no-send letter I wrote to work (behind my paywall so it’s not accessible to the world). Writing it 2 years ago bought me immediate healing in my dreams and recently fully healed (only took 6 years!). Such a worthy practice.
This piece makes me think of parts - the parts of you that did an AMAZING job at getting shit done and being successful in a worldly sense, because that's what they were trained to do - and that it's important to appreciate and celebrate them even after the original reasons they had start to (deliciously) melt away... And yes, paradox - would you be YOU without those years, with all the gifts that the NOW you offers the world? Thanks for sharing & sending love.
Gorgeous reflection 💝
Thanks Amber!
Congratulations!! I think family bonding can be as rewarding as your need to pursue professional interests. There is a time and place for everything- not all at the same time. I would have done the same thing as you did
this is exactly how I feel about my first restaurant job (still have nightmares), working full time while getting a masters degree, and my last job that gave me a nervous breakdown. I know I can handle my shit!!
I have reflected on these themes a lot since we spoke as well!! There is so much truth here, and I think it's great to challenge the narrative of what is 'good' and 'bad' for us. I know that I get so much from my 'drive' although it can also break me, so it's the constant balancing act of what is enough and what is too much. The point about money really hit home too. I also was very fortunate to have a high paying career for years - that has enabled me to walk away and become a writer. That in itself feels like a dirty secret but I couldn't have afforded to do this without those years. I love being driven even though it challenges me hugely, and I'm not sure that I'm able to be any other way... Can't wait to hear our conversation! xx