From my first ever photoshoot in 2016!
Friends, what a year, How are you doing, friend? The world has been rumbling these past days. I hope you are doing OK. Today’s note is a reminder that whatever life throws at us, we still get to choose how we respond to the happenings of the world, what information we take on board, where we focus our energy and attention, what kind of support systems we build, how we make a living, and ultimately what we do with each day of our precious lives. And to celebrate, because celebrating is important.
Over the years I have come to understand that doing what you love is often an act of quiet rebellion. There are opinions to ignore, norms to step around, conformity to resist, expectations to let go of, and freedom to be had. If ever there was a time for doing what you love – making art, writing books, following your heart – as an act of rebellion, surely it is now? And if not for that reason, why not do it simply because life is too short and precious not to?
Today I invite you to take a moment to step away from it all and think back to what you were doing fourteen years ago. November 2010. How was your life different? What were your dreams back then? What has come into being since then? What do you still dream of? I’d love to know.
Why November 2010? Because fourteen years ago today I registered my company, Do What You Love, and a few days later carried that certificate into a local bank branch and opened a business bank account. At the time I was still working in the corporate world as a consultant, but I had a sense that something was changing, and I wanted to get out ahead of it, and do my own thing. I had no idea what I was doing, or how I would do what I wanted to do, but I knew that I had to do something, and setting up the company was the first step towards that. Since then I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that ‘do what you love’ is terrible advice, because people have mortgages to pay and obligations to fulfil. And yet here I am, fourteen years later, grateful that I ignored them all, and that so many of you joined me along the way. Thank you, friends.
Making an important point about something or other (or trying to think straight with a toddler and a new baby in tow, back in 2016!)
When I look through the names like yours on my mailing list, or the names of people commenting on my Instagram or more recently my Substack, I recognise people who have been with me for years, some even since the beginning – people I have known longer than I have known my own children. That is wild, and a huge blessing. However you found me, whenever you became part of this community, thank you. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
I have witnessed so many of you making brave changes as you have navigated your own paths – changing careers, moving countries, going from shy creative to flourishing business owners, or from writing your first poem since school to publishing a book. It has been an astonishing journey of growth and expansion, both my own and yours, and as I take this opportunity to reflect on these past fourteen years, I invite you to do the same.
Back in 2010, when I handed over a few pounds to open that bank account, with nothing more than a laptop and an idea and Mr K’s support, things were very different. It was the year that the iPad was born, and Instagram was first released. A billion fewer people had mobile phones. I wasn’t yet married, I didn’t have any children, hardly anyone worked from home, almost no-one taught online, and blogs were only just starting to become a thing. Fourteen years and one pandemic later and although things have been tough in many ways these past few years, it has never been easier to work flexibly, or make the most of technology and online tools to connect with other people and thrive online.
And so today, in gratitude for all of this, and for you, I am glad to declare my annual sale officially open, with up to 50% off ALL my life-changing courses, including my flagship original class Do What You Love, the raved about Book Proposal Masterclass, and my brand new seven-week writing and Substack immersion Ink + Flame (which comes with a beautiful notebook and personal handwritten note from me if you register by November 30).
All individual classes are 30% off, and there are deeper discounts on carefully curated bundles of courses including:
· The Ultimate Do What You Love Bundle (50% off)
· The Book Dream + Platform Builder Bundle (50% off)
· The Year of Fearless Writing Bundle (50% off)
· The Writing as Medicine Bundle (40% off)
· The Good Life Bundle (40% off)
If you know that you want to make a change in the coming months, to do more of what you love, be more creative, write more – write a book even – don’t miss this huge sale. What might you be grateful for fourteen years from now, if you make a big decision today??
Wow I look young in this one. A lot has happened in the past eight years since this photo was taken, never mind the past fourteen since I set up the company! I wonder what has happened in your life in that time?
If you aren’t quite sure what would be the best fit for you, feel free to hit reply with some info about yourself and where you are in your life right now, and what you are looking for, and I will personally get back to you with some suggestions.
To make things even more accessible, all the bundles (and some of the courses) have interest-free instalment plans available, and all classes can be given as a gift voucher (so perhaps you might like to drop a hint to someone, ahead of the holidays?)
Whatever you decide, I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for being part of this gorgeous community, and for allowing me to do what I love, as I support you to do the same. May we walk this path for many more years together.
Much love to you,
Beth Xx
PS Did you know The Calm Christmas Podcast is back? Episode 1 went live today – you can hear it on iTunes/Spotify etc or via its new Substack home at calmchristmas.substack.com.
