It’s been 12 months since I left my job at a consulting firm. My plan was to take a break for a year and think about what I wanted next. Well, that was as much of a plan as I had! And like all best laid plans, things didn’t quite go that way, but I’m very happy with the outcome!
In the weeks leading up to the end of 2023, I tried to gently recover from the loss of my dad and navigated that ‘difficult first Christmas’. Then at the end of January, we packed the car (including the dog) and drove 1400 miles to Southern Spain – and stayed until Easter!
The warm Andalucian spring was balm to the soul – and what a joy to live somewhere else for a while – be someone else – and redevelop my curiosity – for new places, new routines, new experiences. Even the food shop felt like a brand new adventure! (100% recommend, will do again).
Refreshed, still unsure about work, I spent a few months at home as well as taking a few trips. I went to the theatre on my own (Plaza Suite – brilliant!), saw some art, joined a gym (and kept going) and fitted in a few days in Mallorca and a week in Greece. And while I was lying on a lounger in Kefalonia, I (with Madge, obvs) decided to start not 1, but 2 businesses!
So fast forward, here we are. I’m back in Spain (just a week this time), sitting here as co-founder at 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, a consultancy that combines human-centred design and intelligent innovation to change the way services, experiences and products 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 are made and sold.
And as co-founder of 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, a sustainable t-shirt brand. A fun journey that began with a simple idea: to create t-shirts that we would genuinely love to wear – with designs that are inspired by the passions that fuel us.
I hadn’t planned on either of those things a year ago, but the space to let ideas emerge made me realise I don’t have to define myself by any one thing. I knew I wanted to do many, different things.
Which is why when I was also asked to take a fractional role as a co-Head of Creative at a personal finance management software brand I leapt at the chance. A position with a focus on elevating creative output, smooth running ops, AI-powered growth and developing high performing teams – yes please! I’m just back from California meeting the team and delivering a session on AI in Marketing – and excited about the next few months of making a difference.
What have I learned in the last year?
- 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆: Embracing uncertainty has led to unexpected growth in unexpected areas (sit in the liminal space – even if it’s uncomfortable!)
- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Time to reflect on what truly matters sparked new ideas – not just about work, about everything
- 𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲: True friends (and good colleagues) shone through during tough times; I cherish them
- 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆: Being open to change and new experiences is exciting – trust yourself, you’ve got the experience and the smarts
- 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Partnering exposes the power of diverse perspectives and collaboration – embrace the balance!
- 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆: Keeping active clears my mind and boosts my mood – it’s now a forever part of my lifestyle
To new adventures – and everyone who has helped me on this one 🎉
(this is a longer version of a post that originally appeared on LinkedIn)