Wow, this whole piece really resonated. As someone who is in the process of coming out of The Abyss, I particularly resonated with Steps #1-3.
1. Changing my language - how I spoke about the time - was instrumental in making it a productive period in my life. When I spoke negatively about my time, I was much less motivated. When I altered my language, even if I had to sell myself on the reframe, I was able to accomplish more.
2. I spent the time flaneur-ing in my own way (teaching myself audio and video editing skills, picking up new genres of dance, starting and growing a substack, etc.) and now, as I come out of that time, I look back on in with great fondness and an appreciation for its uniqueness in the grand scheme of my career and adult life.
3. The comparison to improv hit home. The less rigid I was, the more I was able to see the opportunities waiting for me around every corner.
i just experienced my second 'dark night of the soul' - the first was when I was 29 and quit a venture capital job to pursue my long-time passion for health + wellness with absolutely no plan. (that worked out.) when I felt this second one coming this past year, i proactively decided to step away from work and went on an 8-week solo camper van trip across america. during that trip, i met my life partner and soulmate, and he now lives with me in la. we are currently working remotely on another camper trip across america + canada this summer. (we're both canadian.)
i share this story to remind people that it's okay to slow down...to inevitably speed up. had i not listened to my inner voice to step away, we probably would have never met.
thank you for sharing. your story gives me hope Meghan! beautiful how life works. during your chrysalis, at what point did you know when it was time to start speeding up?
In my last Abyss I went back to freelancing as a Creative Director at Ad Agencies. I also decided to launch a family and treated it like a startup. Had to kids back-to-back in a pandemic. Youngest is potty trained and now I’m launching RAISE. Only 1% of fintech is founded by women. Let alone moms. Moms run shit.
So good Andrew. I was in the Abyss after selling my first business and had to do therapy for a few years because of depression. I thought I was a failure when I couldn't figure the next thing fast enough. Still haven't figured it out but currently enjoying the process and letting myself feel.
Great piece and perspective about embracing the different chapters of the journey, they all have meaning and value that are often not self evident. Trying to be present in the moment or inning that you find yourself in vs being in a rush is extremely challenging in today's world geared towards near instant and hurried gratification. Will you be exploring this space more? You have my vote...
Wow, this whole piece really resonated. As someone who is in the process of coming out of The Abyss, I particularly resonated with Steps #1-3.
1. Changing my language - how I spoke about the time - was instrumental in making it a productive period in my life. When I spoke negatively about my time, I was much less motivated. When I altered my language, even if I had to sell myself on the reframe, I was able to accomplish more.
2. I spent the time flaneur-ing in my own way (teaching myself audio and video editing skills, picking up new genres of dance, starting and growing a substack, etc.) and now, as I come out of that time, I look back on in with great fondness and an appreciation for its uniqueness in the grand scheme of my career and adult life.
3. The comparison to improv hit home. The less rigid I was, the more I was able to see the opportunities waiting for me around every corner.
Thanks for sharing.
He’s earned his victories.
i call it the 'chrysalis'.
i just experienced my second 'dark night of the soul' - the first was when I was 29 and quit a venture capital job to pursue my long-time passion for health + wellness with absolutely no plan. (that worked out.) when I felt this second one coming this past year, i proactively decided to step away from work and went on an 8-week solo camper van trip across america. during that trip, i met my life partner and soulmate, and he now lives with me in la. we are currently working remotely on another camper trip across america + canada this summer. (we're both canadian.)
i share this story to remind people that it's okay to slow down...to inevitably speed up. had i not listened to my inner voice to step away, we probably would have never met.
you can't see rainbows without the rain.
thank you for sharing. your story gives me hope Meghan! beautiful how life works. during your chrysalis, at what point did you know when it was time to start speeding up?
i just felt it deeply. trust your own intuition, as it’ll never leave you astray.
In my last Abyss I went back to freelancing as a Creative Director at Ad Agencies. I also decided to launch a family and treated it like a startup. Had to kids back-to-back in a pandemic. Youngest is potty trained and now I’m launching RAISE. Only 1% of fintech is founded by women. Let alone moms. Moms run shit.
So good Andrew. I was in the Abyss after selling my first business and had to do therapy for a few years because of depression. I thought I was a failure when I couldn't figure the next thing fast enough. Still haven't figured it out but currently enjoying the process and letting myself feel.
Great piece and perspective about embracing the different chapters of the journey, they all have meaning and value that are often not self evident. Trying to be present in the moment or inning that you find yourself in vs being in a rush is extremely challenging in today's world geared towards near instant and hurried gratification. Will you be exploring this space more? You have my vote...
Okay, this was one of best pieces I’ve ever read! Thank you!!
Okay, this was one of best pieces I’ve ever read! Thank you!!
Okay, this was one of best pieces I’ve ever read! Thank you!!
I’m in the abyss right now and it sucks. Thanks for putting it into words.