Before we get started: This post was originally shared with my email community in March 2021. Click here if you’d like to subscribe. You’ll also receive access to my library of free resources.

Something that you might not know about me is that I have a sister. And we’re as different as chalk and cheese.

She loves stuff, I crave space.

When asked to attend a fitting for her wedding dress, I turned up, fresh off the back of five days camping, with knots in my hair and mud on my boots, not even realising how highly inappropriate this was for such a fancy establishment.

Growing up, mealtimes were indicative of our true nature. Kate, my sister, was always hailed to be on the “fast eaters' table”, whereas I was very much on the slow. I picked and pushed peas around my plate, much to the frustration of everyone around me.

My slowness felt shaming as it seeped into every area of my life. At school I was often the last to finish my work in favour of daydreaming, dillydallying and dawdling. I often had to miss breaktime in order to finish tasks undone.

And after 39 years, I’m coming to realise that I just can’t fight my preference for slow and steady anymore, so I think I’m done trying.

This time of year always makes me wonder. When we’re encouraged to buy into the “new year, new you”, what are we supposed to do with the old one?

Hmm.

So this year I decided to well and truly ditch the rhetoric. To resist the rush to abandon all that I am and instead, learn to work with it. It's why I'm a little late for this letter.

I know do my best work when I’m able to create space around it. To start, take time to ponder; allow words and ideas to come and go, fall away then regroup as something new.

I'm learning that allowing time for creativity:

helps me make quality over quantity
gives my brain a chance to catch up so I feel less scattered and more focused
helps reduce those feelings of burnout so I can stay the course
helps me maintain a more even keel, which my anxious head and heart very much need these days

We must be allowed to tune into the natural ebb and flow of my energy. For me, it’s all about the curious plod. Exploring with an open heart. Leaning in to what works, and what feels like me, is where I find the greatest ease. Where I find my flow.

This way of thinking takes a little courage. It takes swimming against the tide of promises for exponential and explosive growth. But let’s remember that even for those of us running a business, we don’t need masses of followers. We simply need an engaged few who see real value, heart and authenticity in the work that we do. Converting one-time visitors into loyal, lifelong customers. That’s what it’s all about for me. And aiming for exactly that, feels just right.

Besides, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that all good things take time anyway. Take this post about The Queens Gambit, for example:

So here’s to chipping away and playing the long game. To working from your bed, from your phone, pyjamas on. If that feels like the best way to nudge your nose in on any given day, I say go for it.

Take as much time as you need and pull up a chair to join me at the slow eaters' table, whenever your ready :)

The Brilliant use of Complementary Colours in The Queen's Gambit - This is excellent, I think you will LOVE it.

GOING SLOW AS A CREATIVE BUSINESS OWNER : THE ANTI-HUSTLE CULTURE