All the time!! Can relate to have given up a job that drained me. Love the podcast format as grabs my ADHD attention more easily than the written words and in fact much of writing these days I like to dictate.
Thanks for subscribing and listening Mary! I try to do audio versions of my posts when I can as I also like to listen to other people's work in that way. I also have a podcast called Creative Career Change which might be of interest? https://chezhanny.substack.com/podcast
Yes!! I’m out of survival mode for the first time in about 5 years, and I’m feeling slightly manic with all my ideas haha. Cello, garden, teaching, playing, recording, home improvement, social organizing....
It's a wonderful realisation when you rediscover all of the things that you enjoy again, but difficult to fit them all into your life and know where to focus first. That's how I feel. There are so many ideas and things I want to do, but my new challenge is to manage my time in a way which allows me to do everything I want to. I've written a little about this in today's piece. Welcome to the community! ✨
This was so inspiring, and soothing to listen to your voice Hannah! The too many ideas is something I'm familiar with and wish I had some of your gumption of just starting and doing. I'm very good at dreaming and planning, and wish to be a tad better at the doing 😊
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Carina. I was SO scared of doing the voiceover so it means a lot to read your kind words. I'm learning that with each tiny step I make, I feel a little bit braver to do the next thing.
It's great that you have lots of ideas! I say pick one and just roll with it. Gradually you might find that a thread starts to appear. And honestly, even if it doesn't there's nothing to lose. Posts can be deleted if you really feel the need (but I suspect you won't).
I 100% relate ideas volcano and I love that image!! Mine is very actively erupting in my current season of life, and I’m just nurturing as many ideas as I can handle well, and writing down the others hoping to have time for them one day!
Handling the ideas is definitely the challenge for me too! I like the term ‘nurturing’. It’s a good point that it’s one thing to have lots of ideas, but another to be able to shape them into something ✨
Love this Hannah and the voiceover! I'm excited to hear the podcast ☺️
My creative thoughts ebb and flow and I would love to see if there is some kind of pattern with that. When they are unstoppable it's great, but I also then struggle to capture everything in the moment. When they no longer come I worry that they will never come back. But they always do eventually. It's a fun ride haha.
This line "This ambition is satisfying for a while, until you realise that the aspects of you that make you unique and interesting are slowly being chipped away at by some invisible force" is SO relateable to me. And I also thought climbing the career path was the be all and end all. That is until I quit last year to go travelling, allowing me the time to understand my true self 💜
Thanks Reid! I thought I ought to practise recording myself. I used to hate the sound of my own voice but I am learning to love it, because it's part of me 🧡
Hope you are having a productive Wednesday, in whatever form that may be!
I can totally resonate with this, Hannah! I’m moving into a slower season (something I’ll be posting about today) but summer was a time for ideation in my little corner of the world. My notes app really does need tending to. So excited for your podcast, and for you 🤩
Looking forward to reading your post today, Sarah! 🍁
It will be interesting to see if Autumn is a slower season for me. I'm definitely interested to monitor the flow of ideas over the course of the year as I'm certain there will be a lot of ebb and flow. I'm gradually finding ways to organise notes and ideas, but like you, I've got notes all over the place. My most recent discovery is the Freeform app on iPhone and mac, don't know if you've used it? It's one big spider diagram that can just keep growing forever.
Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot! 🧡
My other half collects his ideas in Notion, organising them there. I used to do the same in Trello, which I think I'm going to sign up for when I return to work! It's just a better way of organising stuff after my initial brain fart of ideas!
I received the Substack notification whilst I was out early this morning with the volcano of ideas headline. That is so me too! Although, unlike you, I rarely follow through with them. I remember I woke up early one morning recently with such a strong idea that I got out a box fresh notebook (it was THAT strong!) and started writing/plotting. I put it down and haven’t picked it up since. 😣. Gretchen Rubin, who I’m a huge fan of, did a podcast episode (which I must listen to again, in the hope of a 🦶🍑) about only picking up one rock (idea) at a time in order to avoid decision fatigue.
It's great that you have so many ideas. And definitely good to get them all down. Even if you aren't able to follow them through at the moment, I'm certain you will come back to them at some point and use them to inform your next actions or feelings. I've definitely found it helpful to look back at old notebooks and ideas from the past year or so, even though some of it is difficult reading from when I was feeling particularly down about my work. I think it helps you to see the steps you are making, however tiny they might feel.
I haven't heard of Gretchen Rubin, so am going to go and check out this podcast now. Thank you for the tip!
Thank you. I like to read back through old journals to remind myself of things I was thinking about six months ago, or whenever. Like you though, sometimes it is hard. It’s also good, as you can see how far you’ve come.
Re Gretchen, a friend recommended her book to me, Better Than Before. She’s written lots of others too. Her podcast is called Happier. About being happier, healthier, more productive and more creative. I loved it so much that I listened to the entire back catalogue!
That's a very strong review! I just had a look at her website and am going to have a listen to an episode now. Should I start at the beginning do you think?
You don’t need to. They are “standalone” episodes. I just loved it so much that I couldn’t not! Also, yes, I know, I am going on a bit now, but she has created a Four Tendencies quiz. It’s only short. I’m an Obliger.
Ah so great to hear your voice, Hannah! I can hear the creative energy in the way you speak.
I'm so excited for you! You're in such flow at the moment.
I definitely relate to having too many ideas. I think I always do. On the one hand it's quite thrilling - the abundance of inspiration. But it can definitely cause a freeze in me, too. A decision fatigue. So many ideas but none get started or too many get started and none get finished.
I'm quite disorganised too in terms of putting them somewhere. I don't have a nice folder or spreadsheet like I hear some creatives talk about.
I hope that you can ride this wave of inspiration in a way that works for you. And I love how you're really giving yourself the permission to just go for it and start your new projects.
Congratulations again on the podcast. This is super exciting.
I keep thinking of people I want to share it with! I was just having a convo with one of my dear friends at the weekend who is feeling the pull of getting off the 9-5 corporate hamster wheel.
Janelle, thank you! You inspired me to show my voice after I heard your recent post as a voice note. For years, I've hated the sound of my own voice on recordings but in the current spirit of tearing up my own rulebook, I'm embracing me and my voice and my soft, Midlands vowels!
I also get decision fatigue! Too many ideas started and then not knowing which one to work on. I'm trying to be reflective and objective when I revisit fragments of ideas and sometimes be brutal with myself about the ones that are going nowhere! It's hard, but I'm enjoying this process so much. When I was younger, I could never understand when tutors and teachers told me to focus on the process, but now I really get it.
I'm recording the first interview for the podcast next Wednesday, so it shouldn't be too long before I release it. Please do spread the word. If I can inspire even the tiniest glimmer of change in someone feeling like I did 12 months ago, then I will be so happy.
Aw cool! Thanks Hannah. Every week I say I'm going to start recording my posts and then...I just don't! This week maybe...
I really like listening to posts so I'd love to offer this option to others too.
I'm sure you already have inspired that glimmer, Hannah! It's brill that we'll get to see how it all unfolds from this early days point. Much more real for people to see it happening in real time. Will be awesome to hear from others too.
Handling the ideas is definitely the challenge for me too! I like the term ‘nurturing’. It’s a good point that it’s one thing to have lots of ideas, but another to be able to shape them into something ✨
All the time!! Can relate to have given up a job that drained me. Love the podcast format as grabs my ADHD attention more easily than the written words and in fact much of writing these days I like to dictate.
Thanks for subscribing and listening Mary! I try to do audio versions of my posts when I can as I also like to listen to other people's work in that way. I also have a podcast called Creative Career Change which might be of interest? https://chezhanny.substack.com/podcast
Yes!! I’m out of survival mode for the first time in about 5 years, and I’m feeling slightly manic with all my ideas haha. Cello, garden, teaching, playing, recording, home improvement, social organizing....
Hi Helen!
It's a wonderful realisation when you rediscover all of the things that you enjoy again, but difficult to fit them all into your life and know where to focus first. That's how I feel. There are so many ideas and things I want to do, but my new challenge is to manage my time in a way which allows me to do everything I want to. I've written a little about this in today's piece. Welcome to the community! ✨
This was so inspiring, and soothing to listen to your voice Hannah! The too many ideas is something I'm familiar with and wish I had some of your gumption of just starting and doing. I'm very good at dreaming and planning, and wish to be a tad better at the doing 😊
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Carina. I was SO scared of doing the voiceover so it means a lot to read your kind words. I'm learning that with each tiny step I make, I feel a little bit braver to do the next thing.
It's great that you have lots of ideas! I say pick one and just roll with it. Gradually you might find that a thread starts to appear. And honestly, even if it doesn't there's nothing to lose. Posts can be deleted if you really feel the need (but I suspect you won't).
Bon courage!
I 100% relate ideas volcano and I love that image!! Mine is very actively erupting in my current season of life, and I’m just nurturing as many ideas as I can handle well, and writing down the others hoping to have time for them one day!
Handling the ideas is definitely the challenge for me too! I like the term ‘nurturing’. It’s a good point that it’s one thing to have lots of ideas, but another to be able to shape them into something ✨
Love this Hannah and the voiceover! I'm excited to hear the podcast ☺️
My creative thoughts ebb and flow and I would love to see if there is some kind of pattern with that. When they are unstoppable it's great, but I also then struggle to capture everything in the moment. When they no longer come I worry that they will never come back. But they always do eventually. It's a fun ride haha.
This line "This ambition is satisfying for a while, until you realise that the aspects of you that make you unique and interesting are slowly being chipped away at by some invisible force" is SO relateable to me. And I also thought climbing the career path was the be all and end all. That is until I quit last year to go travelling, allowing me the time to understand my true self 💜
Thanks Lyndsay. I thought I’d better practise for the podcast by trying a voiceover!
Quitting to go travelling is an amazing thing to do and I’m loving following your story. Life is too short to not explore what might be out there.
Love the Voiceover and the sound of your voice is so beautiful! Very excited for your upcoming podcast.
Thanks Reid! I thought I ought to practise recording myself. I used to hate the sound of my own voice but I am learning to love it, because it's part of me 🧡
Hope you are having a productive Wednesday, in whatever form that may be!
I can totally resonate with this, Hannah! I’m moving into a slower season (something I’ll be posting about today) but summer was a time for ideation in my little corner of the world. My notes app really does need tending to. So excited for your podcast, and for you 🤩
Looking forward to reading your post today, Sarah! 🍁
It will be interesting to see if Autumn is a slower season for me. I'm definitely interested to monitor the flow of ideas over the course of the year as I'm certain there will be a lot of ebb and flow. I'm gradually finding ways to organise notes and ideas, but like you, I've got notes all over the place. My most recent discovery is the Freeform app on iPhone and mac, don't know if you've used it? It's one big spider diagram that can just keep growing forever.
Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot! 🧡
I’ve got Notes on iPhone and MacBook so it synchronises, which I find really helpful, especially for those ‘middle of the night’ ideas!
I use notes synchronisation too but also have all sorts of other bits of paper and scribbles which are less logical!
My other half collects his ideas in Notion, organising them there. I used to do the same in Trello, which I think I'm going to sign up for when I return to work! It's just a better way of organising stuff after my initial brain fart of ideas!
I will check both of these out. Thanks!
I received the Substack notification whilst I was out early this morning with the volcano of ideas headline. That is so me too! Although, unlike you, I rarely follow through with them. I remember I woke up early one morning recently with such a strong idea that I got out a box fresh notebook (it was THAT strong!) and started writing/plotting. I put it down and haven’t picked it up since. 😣. Gretchen Rubin, who I’m a huge fan of, did a podcast episode (which I must listen to again, in the hope of a 🦶🍑) about only picking up one rock (idea) at a time in order to avoid decision fatigue.
It's great that you have so many ideas. And definitely good to get them all down. Even if you aren't able to follow them through at the moment, I'm certain you will come back to them at some point and use them to inform your next actions or feelings. I've definitely found it helpful to look back at old notebooks and ideas from the past year or so, even though some of it is difficult reading from when I was feeling particularly down about my work. I think it helps you to see the steps you are making, however tiny they might feel.
I haven't heard of Gretchen Rubin, so am going to go and check out this podcast now. Thank you for the tip!
Thank you. I like to read back through old journals to remind myself of things I was thinking about six months ago, or whenever. Like you though, sometimes it is hard. It’s also good, as you can see how far you’ve come.
Re Gretchen, a friend recommended her book to me, Better Than Before. She’s written lots of others too. Her podcast is called Happier. About being happier, healthier, more productive and more creative. I loved it so much that I listened to the entire back catalogue!
That's a very strong review! I just had a look at her website and am going to have a listen to an episode now. Should I start at the beginning do you think?
You don’t need to. They are “standalone” episodes. I just loved it so much that I couldn’t not! Also, yes, I know, I am going on a bit now, but she has created a Four Tendencies quiz. It’s only short. I’m an Obliger.
Ah so great to hear your voice, Hannah! I can hear the creative energy in the way you speak.
I'm so excited for you! You're in such flow at the moment.
I definitely relate to having too many ideas. I think I always do. On the one hand it's quite thrilling - the abundance of inspiration. But it can definitely cause a freeze in me, too. A decision fatigue. So many ideas but none get started or too many get started and none get finished.
I'm quite disorganised too in terms of putting them somewhere. I don't have a nice folder or spreadsheet like I hear some creatives talk about.
I hope that you can ride this wave of inspiration in a way that works for you. And I love how you're really giving yourself the permission to just go for it and start your new projects.
Congratulations again on the podcast. This is super exciting.
I keep thinking of people I want to share it with! I was just having a convo with one of my dear friends at the weekend who is feeling the pull of getting off the 9-5 corporate hamster wheel.
Janelle, thank you! You inspired me to show my voice after I heard your recent post as a voice note. For years, I've hated the sound of my own voice on recordings but in the current spirit of tearing up my own rulebook, I'm embracing me and my voice and my soft, Midlands vowels!
I also get decision fatigue! Too many ideas started and then not knowing which one to work on. I'm trying to be reflective and objective when I revisit fragments of ideas and sometimes be brutal with myself about the ones that are going nowhere! It's hard, but I'm enjoying this process so much. When I was younger, I could never understand when tutors and teachers told me to focus on the process, but now I really get it.
I'm recording the first interview for the podcast next Wednesday, so it shouldn't be too long before I release it. Please do spread the word. If I can inspire even the tiniest glimmer of change in someone feeling like I did 12 months ago, then I will be so happy.
Have a great Wednesday!
Hannah x
Aw cool! Thanks Hannah. Every week I say I'm going to start recording my posts and then...I just don't! This week maybe...
I really like listening to posts so I'd love to offer this option to others too.
I'm sure you already have inspired that glimmer, Hannah! It's brill that we'll get to see how it all unfolds from this early days point. Much more real for people to see it happening in real time. Will be awesome to hear from others too.
Handling the ideas is definitely the challenge for me too! I like the term ‘nurturing’. It’s a good point that it’s one thing to have lots of ideas, but another to be able to shape them into something ✨