(for context, this is a copy and paste of a Playground Post I sent out to subscribers a couple of days ago. As much as it was written for those who signed up, the content felt like something I wanted to share with a potential wider audience, so here it is in its entirety. Some dates will have passed. Some are still relevant at the time of publishing this. I have enough energy in this moment to copy and paste the piece and write this bit of context, and not to edit and rewrite the thing - and that's ok. Happy reading)
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Change and transition. I continue to learn that they are not the same thing.
My plans changed pretty significantly on Tuesday when I was invited to London for an audition happening today (I've just finished physically representing a bear, ape and cat (not all at the same time)). And yes, this is what part of a storyteller's life can look like.
Firstly, change didn't happen because I was invited, but because I accepted the invitation. Transition was the part in between invitation and choice; it consists of how we navigate stories kicked up by the invitation. So, for me, I got to notice the stories of struggle and sacrifice being required of me because I am meant to simply say yes to, and be grateful for, any opportunity that is thrown my way (the 'Struggling Artist' paradigm needs to be burnt to the ground in my opinion). If I even consider saying "no" then it means I don't care enough about my career or creating art or telling stories. Yeesh(!) amiright? I got to notice the part of me that wanted to honour the Team Streamline sessions I had chosen to host today, which would have required me to say no to the audition. Transition, in my opinion, is about energy and actually is more about stillness than movement. Transition's vessel is intention; the gathering of information and of the stories we witness being more vocal leads us to either allow change or avoid it.
Here it is broken down:
INVITATION - attend an audition.
TRANSITION - (gathering info and noticing stories) - I would need to travel to a different city in order to do it; probably by coach instead of train for financial reasons (by coach is 6 hours each way). 'Should' stories (as mentioned above). I will need to let people know about the Team Streamline calls changing. I would need to change some info on my website. I would like to reconnect with the friend who invited me as it's been a while. I am excited to explore the area of motion capture and this would be an avenue through which to do that. I have the financial means to make that investment in myself and in the stories I wish to be part of. "I should not spend that money because the chances of getting the job are not 100%" - another Should story. My intention in life is to honour my curiosity and my willingness to wander.
CHANGE - making the choice to honour my intentions in the way that is possible, in that moment, without playing safe or channelling scarcity/fear and without extending myself into financial risk or discomfort. By lowering the stakes so much more gets to be accessible and selectable.
I chose the audition. I chose change. It required vulnerability and stepping into the unfamiliar and the unknown as well as the familiar which were still unknown. I'm really glad I did.
Therefore, both Team Streamline session today (Thursday 20th October) are not happening. Apologies if you had intended to show up. Some of you may have seen I put a session in on Friday. This is also now not happening as I realised that I was invalidating my choice by somehow trying to make it up to all of those of you whom it applies to. And that's not in alignment. If all my choices get to be valid - and I am enough regardless of the choices that I make - then I do not need to meet any self-perceived expectations I think you may have of what 'good business' looks like etc. Life is not transactional. Oof! That feels so intuitively true and a bit scary to say out loud to you. I am not responsible for any else's response. Oof! And ooh yeah that feels so good to honour.
Claim Your Space workshops and Team Streamline sessions are happening on October 24th and November 3rd. Let me know if you wish to attend the workshop. Team Streamliners (those who have attended the workshop already), remember that any people you refer who attend the workshop will gift you 20minutes of chat/coaching/accountability time with me, and they are cumulative without limit. Just tell them to mention you when they come to the workshop.
I am so grateful I get to share this space and my brain blurts with you.
Much ginger love *orange heart* (I can't find emojis on my tablet)