2022 was one for the record books. I knew it was going to be a big year (booking our wedding was a bit of a clue) but I didn’t realise quite how much.
Yet, as is too often the case, I’ve found myself in a position where I’m wishing I’d done more.
There are still things on my to-do list, still dreams waiting to happen, still ideas asking to be created… but I’m working on inviting more patience into my life. Which has perhaps been one of the biggest learnings of this year.
The year of space
I began this year searching for space. After a busy 2021, I was craving a little more space around my work to breathe and weave more flexibility into my days.
The hope was that this would mean more time to create. And, in some ways, it did. But it also gave me a much-needed buffer with all the unanticipated speedbumps that popped up.
The darkness of winter
As soon as the new year celebrations were over, we pulled out our kitchen. This was always going to be a big moment in our renovation of the 1930s terrace we bought last year. Except we didn’t quite realise how big.
It’d be 5 long months before we got that kitchen back.
The light here was my business. I simplified my copywriting offers, and leant heavily into the brand messaging work that I love so dearly. This is all about (ironically) building a strong foundation for small businesses, making words work for my lovely clients and striking that magical balance between logic and creativity.
My work became an escape. I’d slip my noise-cancelling headphones on, hit play on some country music and get lost in the words filling my screen. With these tweaks came new pages on my website, focusing on website copy and copy editing days, and a good dose of fun experimenting with my own creative projects.
A South African escape
In March, we travelled to South Africa. It wasn’t quite the journey we’d planned for (yes, I too am sensing a theme here…) but the 550km drive from Joburg to Durban was worth it to meet our 6-week-old nephew, waiting at the other end.
It was also the chance to fill our cups back up with summer sunshine. Soon enough, we formed our own gentle routine. Hiding away in the coolness of my in-laws’ air conditioning in the hottest parts of the day, stretching our legs on the patio when the heat cooled down, and jumping in the pool when it all got too much.
By April, we were back on the plane and ready to return home to London for a fresh start. The renovation began to progress again (albeit slowly, always slowly!) and visible progress became apparent at long last.
It all created a rather apt metaphor for business and the building that take place behind the scenes. So much of the work we do as small business owners is invisible. It’s the plumbing, the electrics, the groundwork. All the things our customers can’t see.
It isn’t until we’ve got those foundations in place that we can build the thing we’d dreamed of. That we become visible.
Frustrating, yes. But still strangely beautiful.
Stepping out into the light
Finally, summer arrived. This was the season when we fell in love with our garden. After years of living in our New Cross flat, we now have an outdoor space of our very own.
And we certainly made the most of it.
There were attempts to learn to garden (some more successful than others), mini DIY projects galore (we’re now proud owners of a new pergola) and a newfound burst of energy.
This first image isn’t from our garden, I wish!
I started a fixed-term copywriting retainer with the Women’s Equality Party, a client that still makes me pinch myself. Cause-focused, a passionate team and a great mission? Just wow.
And I rediscovered the power of a small business community, joining Fierce Fam where I found both accountability and understanding. There’s something special about learning from your peers.
Combine that with what is effectively co-mentoring with my fellow freelance copywriter pal Angie, and I now feel more supported than ever before.
It was a full summer of client work too. With some lovely projects that filled my creative cup. From brand messaging and website copy for US-based graphic designer Kayla, to website copy for barrister Charlotte, a brand messaging audit and website copy for holistic motherhood coach Hannah, and plenty more in-between, none of which I take for granted.
The long-awaited autumn
Autumn was the season where everything came to a culmination. First up, we finished the house.
After 18 months riding the renovation rollercoaster, we came to a halt. And my word, “space”, took on a new meaning as we finally had the physical space in which to breathe.
Including, my office!
And then, we got married. It felt like the perfect celebration after all those ups and downs.
It was very us. We kept it relatively simple in terms of planning. I was determined not to stress or add too many extra things to our overflowing plates. We chose things we loved from suppliers we adored (you can read more about them over here) but it didn’t drain us.
Wedding photos by Harry Michael Photography
I fiercely protected my time and energy around our wedding. Of course, there were hard moments. As anyone who has lost a parent and gone through big life events without them will know, there always are.
But it was oh so magical.
Back into winter again
As the year draws to a close, I find myself returning back to normality. And I have to confess, I rather like it.
There’s been an appearance on the Fiercely Freelance podcast (something that terrified this introvert but that I’d actually love to do more of in 2023). Trips to a very wintery Wales, exploring mountains and trying not to get stuck in snowdrifts. And the culmination of plenty of client copy work, alongside the planning of the next.
And as you lovely email subscribers know, behind the scenes I’ve been tweaking the foundations of my businesses too. Crafting new brand messaging and preparing for a fresh chapter in 2023.
What’s next?
You’ll soon find some fresh words on this website. Some new smaller offers, for when you need to do things yourself. More time outside, exploring our new area now that our home projects are mostly done. And most importantly, more exciting creations, let’s see what form those decide to take.
For now, a big giant thank you to every one of you.
As I sit here, cross-legged in my pink and white office, looking out the window at the snow, in the thickest jumper I can find… I’m realising that I’m feeling quite content.
And that’s all I can really ask for.