This was so reaffirming! I’ve been doing similar since the start of this year. Diving in & doing what I’ve longed to do for a while. It’s certainly stressful, but I feel more creatively charged than I have in a while.
I just suffered a similar disappointment, getting ghosted by the CEO and everything, and I'm in that liminal space of trying to figure out where to go from here.
I resonate so strongly with everything you said and a lot of your suggestions are extremely useful, especially the "micro-projects," which are, I believe, the way creatives build our foundation. I certainly remember plenty of small projects that I undertook at the beginning of my freelance career that seemed inconsequential but now, looking back, provided me with a solid base.
So sorry you experienced a similar disappointment, however I’m certain it’s for the best! I hope you can channel your creativity into some exciting micro projects and find some clarity through them🤍
This arrived in my inbox at precisely the time I needed to hear it! Thank you for the spark of inspiration and the reminder to infuse more joy, alignment and experimentation into work. I particularly loved your statement that “everything is evidence”… a reminder to enjoy the process and loosen the grip on the outcome 🙏🏻
Love this, needed to hear this and will keep telling myself this. I think in addition to fear that money and time are also big factors, especially for people with responsibilities like small children as working on something that isn’t bringing money in feels like a huge indulgence. But you are completely right and I think this is essential to stand out in the current job market anyway. It's not enough to have experience, you need to be creating something to stand out.
I’d love if you could share a bit about the zine process!
Thanks for reading and sharing Georgia! I totally understand where you’re coming from, as I too have young children and the need to make money is definitely a priority. I also feel like we should give ourselves the permission to work on things that light us up without it feeling like an indulgence (which, im aware, is easier said than done!) I actually created my zine project very newly postpartum. My creativity needed an outlet and I wanted to feel like I was “doing something” outside of baby land! Happy to share more about the process, especially if you have any specific questions:)
That's great, I'm sincerely happy for you. I would say, however, that you're one of the people that are capable of making the best out of a bad situation. That is, having to monetize our desires is a flawed starting point. I like my job, but I don't like the fact that I need my job to make a living. I wrote a bit about this, maybe you're interested in reading it. And all the best on your venture!
There is no "dream" job. Whatever the role or field, there will be plenty of times where you'll put the company's needs/wants over your own sensibilities as a creative. I found that starting my own passion project (my newsletter) on the side has helped a ton with making me feel creatively fulfilled. You don't need permission to start. That mindset shift can do so much.
Thank you for sharing Lara! You’re totally right. There is no “dream” job, and every position is bound to come with flaws, especially when you’re creating for external companies. I love that your newsletter has been creatively fulfilling for you!! It’s been the same for me and such a great outlet to explore what I want to create/how I’d like to show up in the world🤍
love this post :) as a budding designer navigating the full time job market for the first time, it's often really disheartening to not get opportunities i feel i am qualified for & think i 'deserve'. but i also think that comes from seeking validation and purpose from external market forces and what i can bring to a company. in reality, i am perfectly able to design things i am passionate about through micro projects which can help provide a sense of purpose outside of a formal job. and i think it's great to keep that self-ordained purpose and spirit alive!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your experience Tiff! Micro projects are the perfect way to begin creating work you’re passionate about, especially in the design field! Best of luck to you on your journey🤍
the reminder we all need! for me personally, having a fear of failure/fear of success is something that takes constant reminders to move past. so finding this on substack was the reminder I needed today - thanks <3
"Trust yourself, because no one else carries the validation we’re looking for."
Maddy, this was so beautifully written; a poignant reminder for all of us to believe in ourselves and boldly pursue the lives we dream of. Thanks for this <3
And best of luck with your plans this year! May they unfold beautifully.
How I love this! It is true to say that as long as God put it in your heart, and it is good, then you have everything you need. I have stopped waiting for the perfect language, the perfect laptop/gadget, the perfect camera. These things, in my case have stopped me from doing and becoming. Sending everyone good vibes and great energy this week and March in it's entirety.
I needed to hear this, it’s incredibile how we don’t believe in ourselves even if we know we can rock something. But also this is a lesson for the future!
I totally get you! 🙏🏼 Last November, I committed to focus on food and beverage brand communications. Your idea of 'breaking big dreams into micro projects' really hits home.
My career goals are huge! But instead of worrying, I'm taking it one step at a time, trusting the path will unfold as I go. The compounding effect of intentional daily actions is a revelation. Thank you for writing this. I need to read these words today!
Love this Bea! Taking the journey one step at a time and trusting the process is essential (although I know it can be easier said than done!) Focus is also so important to achieving our goals, so it’ll be exciting to see your journey unfold in the food and bev brand communications space! Cheering you on!
People sit in the waiting pool almost their whole lives bc they never put in the work to see and understand the signs from the universe that guide us on the daily. Following the breadcrumbs is a skill not many polish up on…
This was so reaffirming! I’ve been doing similar since the start of this year. Diving in & doing what I’ve longed to do for a while. It’s certainly stressful, but I feel more creatively charged than I have in a while.
Love that! I’m sure the actions you’re taking bring you closer to your big visions🤍
I just suffered a similar disappointment, getting ghosted by the CEO and everything, and I'm in that liminal space of trying to figure out where to go from here.
I resonate so strongly with everything you said and a lot of your suggestions are extremely useful, especially the "micro-projects," which are, I believe, the way creatives build our foundation. I certainly remember plenty of small projects that I undertook at the beginning of my freelance career that seemed inconsequential but now, looking back, provided me with a solid base.
So sorry you experienced a similar disappointment, however I’m certain it’s for the best! I hope you can channel your creativity into some exciting micro projects and find some clarity through them🤍
I hope so too! It’s definitely motivated me to try other routes and stop staking all my hopes and ambitions on one particular thing.
The openness is so important!
This arrived in my inbox at precisely the time I needed to hear it! Thank you for the spark of inspiration and the reminder to infuse more joy, alignment and experimentation into work. I particularly loved your statement that “everything is evidence”… a reminder to enjoy the process and loosen the grip on the outcome 🙏🏻
I love everything you write!!
Thanks for your support, as always!!❤️ So happy this resonated with you and can’t wait to see what’s next in your world✨
Love this, needed to hear this and will keep telling myself this. I think in addition to fear that money and time are also big factors, especially for people with responsibilities like small children as working on something that isn’t bringing money in feels like a huge indulgence. But you are completely right and I think this is essential to stand out in the current job market anyway. It's not enough to have experience, you need to be creating something to stand out.
I’d love if you could share a bit about the zine process!
Thanks for reading and sharing Georgia! I totally understand where you’re coming from, as I too have young children and the need to make money is definitely a priority. I also feel like we should give ourselves the permission to work on things that light us up without it feeling like an indulgence (which, im aware, is easier said than done!) I actually created my zine project very newly postpartum. My creativity needed an outlet and I wanted to feel like I was “doing something” outside of baby land! Happy to share more about the process, especially if you have any specific questions:)
👏👏 yesss to creating the job you desire! This was such a good read and reminder Maddy. Cheering you on in all that you do 💃🏻
Cheering you on always!!❤️
That's great, I'm sincerely happy for you. I would say, however, that you're one of the people that are capable of making the best out of a bad situation. That is, having to monetize our desires is a flawed starting point. I like my job, but I don't like the fact that I need my job to make a living. I wrote a bit about this, maybe you're interested in reading it. And all the best on your venture!
https://writerbytechnicality.substack.com/p/liking-your-job-is-a-form-of-insanity?r=3anz55
There is no "dream" job. Whatever the role or field, there will be plenty of times where you'll put the company's needs/wants over your own sensibilities as a creative. I found that starting my own passion project (my newsletter) on the side has helped a ton with making me feel creatively fulfilled. You don't need permission to start. That mindset shift can do so much.
Thank you for sharing Lara! You’re totally right. There is no “dream” job, and every position is bound to come with flaws, especially when you’re creating for external companies. I love that your newsletter has been creatively fulfilling for you!! It’s been the same for me and such a great outlet to explore what I want to create/how I’d like to show up in the world🤍
love this post :) as a budding designer navigating the full time job market for the first time, it's often really disheartening to not get opportunities i feel i am qualified for & think i 'deserve'. but i also think that comes from seeking validation and purpose from external market forces and what i can bring to a company. in reality, i am perfectly able to design things i am passionate about through micro projects which can help provide a sense of purpose outside of a formal job. and i think it's great to keep that self-ordained purpose and spirit alive!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your experience Tiff! Micro projects are the perfect way to begin creating work you’re passionate about, especially in the design field! Best of luck to you on your journey🤍
the reminder we all need! for me personally, having a fear of failure/fear of success is something that takes constant reminders to move past. so finding this on substack was the reminder I needed today - thanks <3
Thank you for reading Corinne! So happy this resonated with you and was the necessary reminder you needed:)
I got this as well once I got laid off from Book Riot. I just decided I was going to write my pitches on my newsletter. Great advice!
I love that move! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your experience:)
"Trust yourself, because no one else carries the validation we’re looking for."
Maddy, this was so beautifully written; a poignant reminder for all of us to believe in ourselves and boldly pursue the lives we dream of. Thanks for this <3
And best of luck with your plans this year! May they unfold beautifully.
Thank you so much for erasing Areyah and for your kind words! Best of luck to you as well along your journey:)
This is exactly what I needed right now, so thank you! You're so inspiring!!
Thanks so much for reading Aleah!❤️
How I love this! It is true to say that as long as God put it in your heart, and it is good, then you have everything you need. I have stopped waiting for the perfect language, the perfect laptop/gadget, the perfect camera. These things, in my case have stopped me from doing and becoming. Sending everyone good vibes and great energy this week and March in it's entirety.
Love this message! We will always be waiting if we’re waiting for perfection🤍
I needed to hear this, it’s incredibile how we don’t believe in ourselves even if we know we can rock something. But also this is a lesson for the future!
Exactly! Thank you for reading Giulia!
I totally get you! 🙏🏼 Last November, I committed to focus on food and beverage brand communications. Your idea of 'breaking big dreams into micro projects' really hits home.
My career goals are huge! But instead of worrying, I'm taking it one step at a time, trusting the path will unfold as I go. The compounding effect of intentional daily actions is a revelation. Thank you for writing this. I need to read these words today!
Love this Bea! Taking the journey one step at a time and trusting the process is essential (although I know it can be easier said than done!) Focus is also so important to achieving our goals, so it’ll be exciting to see your journey unfold in the food and bev brand communications space! Cheering you on!
People sit in the waiting pool almost their whole lives bc they never put in the work to see and understand the signs from the universe that guide us on the daily. Following the breadcrumbs is a skill not many polish up on…
You’re completely right! Even myself, I am still learning to follow the breadcrumbs and open my awareness to the signs that are always around us🤍