Notes from the Sea - April
Love and growth and all that's inbetween
“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
Hello petals,
This is my monthly Note from the Sea. I’ve been writing these for 6 years now… I can hardly believe it. If you’d like to make sure you receive my note at the start of each month, you can adjust the ‘Substack sections’ you subscribe to in your settings.
How are you all? How’s your month been?
I always love to hear from you. You can drop me a reply here by pressing reply or post in the comments.
As I write this (it’s pre-scheduled), we are gathering up some of our Northumberland world into bags to be on holidays for a little while. It feels glorious and terrifying. We’ve not travelled as a family of four before but I’m so looking forward to the lazy breakfasts and some contrasting warmer sand.
In March, I ‘claimed’ a new title for myself as a ‘Slow Lived Entrepreneur’. I’ve always been entrepreneurial in spirit but rules about what women can and can’t do and a career in the arts kept me playing small and staying in the box the patriarchy made for me.
This title means so much to me because it’s expansive and embodied. Does that resonate?
My previous ‘title’ was ‘Creative Producer and Mentor - I’m not doing any creative producer work at the moment but I’ll always be a mentor it’s just in my blood.
So it was time to own what I am doing for work and celebrate the wins in that. Since we agreed my husband would stop working last June to heal from post covid fatigue, I have leant into so many challenges both financial and spiritual. I’ve embraced the up-level and focussed on making it work. There was no safety net - I was it and that’s why I’m now an entrepreneur and not a person doing projects.
Remember you get to shape, change and add to what you do in life whenever you like!
Look out for a creative business nuts and bolts post on this and my first ever £12k month coming later this month to paid subscribers. I don’t share this to be showy, I share this to share possibility for us all in working part time and embodying slow living as a lifestyle not as an aesthetic.
So as Spring here in Northumberland warms us up and helps us see the visuals of what’s possible, I’ll leave you with your monthly journal prompts and the invitation to read more here on the Substack app or by subscribing to my other sections.
Your April inspired journalling prompts…
What am I continuing to nurture and grow this April…?
What can I do with stormy weather?
If I was fishing, how could I ensure I catch what is really for me?
I also wanted to share a self coaching model I use a lot when I’m stuck or feel overwhelmed with activity and decision making.
It’s called the GROW model - (Goal, Reality, Opportunities, Will)
Goal - you write out the goal of the project or thing.
Reality - you write out the reality of where you are with it now.
Opportunities - you write out all the opportunity panning out in front of you.
Will - you write on your will to start/ finish/ complete/ ask for help with the project.
It’s been a game changer for me so many times. It works best when I have some resistance in my mind or body to a thing and I don’t quite know why.
I hope you enjoy it.
Ways to work and connect with me this month
One to one - my 90 minute holistic mentoring sessions are called Inspiration Island and meet you where you’re at right here in your beautiful small company.
Join my creative community and take a course - ‘Stay Creative on Substack’ is HOT off the press and still just £200 or £50x4 monthly payments.
Buy a workshop or masterclass - upcoming live this month - ‘Funding for your creative project’.
Follow me on instagram
Right here on Substack, drop your thoughts in the comments - I LOVE a chat.
Thanks for being here, feel free to share this note with a friend.
Sending sparkles to you for your month ahead,
Claire
PS - every month I profile some writers here I enjoy connecting with and this month I want to tell you about ;
who writes Walking Well, by Sarah Raad, who writes 'With Ease' , by Sophie and my husband who is sharing in depth about our Soil Project - The Soil Web.My post of the month this month is this one - it’s actually a thread from Kate Mclean who writes
and it's so insightful and generous...https://katemckean.substack.com/p/surprise-open-thread.
Ooo and PPS - the WONDERFUL
is writing and sharing here on Substack! She's bringing thousands of beautiful creatives into this space and I know what she makes here will be totally lush.
I love the idea of being a slow lived entrepreneur! Great title :-)
Love your new title and the GROW model x