“Use this platform as a catalyst to create a more beautiful, inspiring life”

The above words are at the top of a list I have called ‘Blog’ that I fill with blog post ideas. Ideas that, for the last few months, have been left untouched. The advice, which was no doubt jotted down at a talk or while listening to a podcast some years ago, seems almost quaint now, as the blogging and social media landscapes have changed so much since it was first written.

Though I find that Instagram stories increasingly scratches the itch that blogging once did, I miss this blog. The things I like about platforms like Stories and Snapchat – the transient, more candid, less polished nature of things – can also be drawbacks. I don’t sit and process events, documenting life’s highlights and lowlights here to look back on later (one of my favourite things to do with the blog, seeing as I’ve been blogging here since 2009). 

As a kid, I loved looking through my mum’s thick photo albums, poring over her adventures around the world and enjoying getting a glimpse into the life she led before my sis and I came along. It’s how I’ve viewed the blog in a way – a digital collection of what life has been like, what I’m loving, what I’m learning. 

From top left: Desk with a (serious) view as I file copy from Andalucia; the gorgeous new roof garden at Tara Building; Ben in Ticknock Woods; shooting on location in Arran Street East; coffee and scheming with Marta in Cake Cafe; love how my workspace brightens up Tara Street; blowing out birthday candles in Kerala; dancing beneath confetti canons at Sing Along Social; Pokemon themed afternoon out with Ethan, celebrating his birthday.

So, in the spirit of documenting, as much for myself as anyone else, here’s what’s been happening:

• Freelance life has been good, albeit a bit hectic as I get used to the ebb and flow of deadlines and pitches. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to pitch stories that let me meet, work with or photograph people I deeply admire and am curious about (Ann O’Dea, Kathryn Davey and Imen McDonnell are just some recent highlights). 
• I spoke on the Wonderlust stage at Body & Soul about slowness at work, procrastination and The Imposter Project, a new creative venture I’m kicking off with some very talented gals. Huge thank you to Aoife McElwain for asking me along, and for helping me get over my own imposter syndrome.
• I recently returned from 4 wonderful days in Andalucia, shooting at a horse-riding retreat with Cara Magazine editor Lucy. Photographing horses at sunrise, afternoon naps by the pool, shooting delicious plates of tapas as the sun went down – it was a dream gig. 
• I also recently turned 34 in June (aka my scary age). I celebrated first with family, blowing out candles on a tray of donuts (which the kids very much enjoyed), then with dinner in Kerala with a few friends followed by drinks by the canal, as it was one of those gloriously warm and long summer evenings (followed by a painful 4am wake up call for my flight to Spain 😂)
• My nephews and nieces are all summer babies, so we’ve been busy celebrating their birthdays. Ethan turned nine – nine – yesterday and I can’t get over it. 

Ideas I’m exploring:

• Designing your life. This interview between Tim Ferriss and Debbie Millman was inspiring and left me curious about not just people’s creative process, but how they approach their life as a whole. I’m particularly interested in the 10 year plan writing exercise. 
• Marriage. Not weddings and cute DIY ceremony backdrops, but the marriage itself. Post coming up on that soon. 
• Where to next with photography? I’m shooting a lot right now, and with that comes figuring out how to push myself, how to improve, where to learn more, and yes, lots of nerdy gear lust. 
• Moving away – even more so than I have already – from the idea of just one career and thinking more openly about having a few. 

Things on my wishlist:

• Grace Bonney’s beautiful book, In the Company of Women
• Another walk through Ticknock woods
• The new issue of Offscreen, due next week
• One or two pieces from Jette’s gorgeous new collection

I hope you’re having a great summer!

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It’s hard to admit when things aren’t working out. When they don’t go the way you had planned and hoped. 

You set sail on your new adventure. Friends and family waved you off and wished you well. You were excited and full of optimism, heading off into the sunset. And then. 

After five months at Intercom, a company I have long admired and still do, I made the hard decision to leave. I wish I could put all my reasons in a box and present them tied with a bow, but life is infinitely messier than that. 

It’s been a humbling, exciting, draining experience. The truth is, things didn’t go how I had hoped they would; or perhaps my hopes changed along the way. So much of the tech and the startup scene relies on people being all in. On dedicating some of your best working years and talents to a company’s vision and mission. I realised I wasn’t ready to go all in on someone else’s dream, I had too many of my own. 

I considered writing an ‘exciting new adventure’ post. But, while I am excited for what’s coming next (more on that below), sometimes it’s important to cut through the rose tint we are tempted to put on things. I’m all for positive spins and a happy mental attitude. For celebrating joyful moments and proudly sharing hard-won accomplishments. But it’s also okay to peek above the parapet and say: this hurt. This was a tough decision. This was far, far from perfect. This wasn’t glossy and glamorous. It’s not as fun to hear, or as easy to celebrate, but anything that brings you closer to becoming who you are is worth celebrating, even if the road there was a bumpy one. 

Over the past few months I have made incredible friends, worked on fun, interesting projects, and learned so much. It’s impossible to imagine doing what I’m about to do next without these lessons, so I will forever be grateful for them. 

What I’ve decided to do is start up my own thing. A true circus girl, I have many interests and passions and I’ve realised that no one job can tick all those boxes, no matter how awesome it is; a beautiful suit is no good if it doesn’t fit you right. 

So, I’m designing my own. Hopefully it will blend meeting and photographing creative people and new places, exploring technology and where it’s taking us, and working with makers, be they in the worlds of startups, design, food, craft or interiors.

I’m excited about crafting a career filled with quirks and odd corners that fit my personality, strengths and values. I hope to be able to document what I learn about freelance life here – the nerdy apps I’m using, interesting reads and links I come across, and a surprise project or two ;).

Navigating the challenging waters of owning my own business won’t be easy. Lack of security, mad hours, having seven or eight bosses instead of just one, and no mentor to learn from or colleagues to banter with are just some of the hurdles to overcome. 

So yes, it won’t be the fanciest suit out there. But it will be custom-made.