(Art by Brooke Figer)

It’s been quiet here in GiveLiveExplore-ville, so I thought I’d shoot over a quick hello, an update on what I’m up to, and some exciting news on what’s next.

First — this month marks the 5-year anniversary of my blog GiveLiveExplore. Hurrah!

Five years ago I started this blog on a simple premise: to explore an interest in writing while physically wandering and pondering about the next steps of my career and life.

What began as a simple email to friends, family, and colleagues quickly evolved into a forum for me to learn in public — not only how to write, but also who I was and who I wanted to become.

Each year I’ve written a post commemorating the anniversary (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013). And each year my aim has remained the same:

  1. Pay homage to my friend Shannon whose passing kicked off this journey.
  2. Thank YOU for reading and joining me here.
  3. Remind myself why I started this damn thing!

The true why behind it all?

To live a deliberate life. 

On which my man Thoreau put it best:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Like most things worth doing, I’ve found living deliberately to be a constant practice. You don’t go to the gym once and consider yourself a picture of perfect health. Likewise one doesn’t just become deliberate–end of story. It’s a frequent and recurring journey back into the woods of sorts. Maybe one I’ve struggled with more than most.

Which is why this blog has been so powerful for me. Consistently learning, reflecting and then sharing my experiences with you forces me to constantly evaluate my life, and by default, live more deliberately.

And so each year, no matter how frequently or sparingly I’ve written here, I’ve at least made the effort to commemorate the launch of this blog and acknowledge how important it’s been to my development.

What have I been up to?

In 2014 I moved to London to join startup Escape the City and launch a career change and startup “Escape School” in the heart of the city. It’s been a wild ride. We’ve helped thousands of people make positive changes in their working lives. It’s the most challenging and meaningful work I’ve ever done. I’ve built a toolshed full of skills, knowledge and experience I certainly didn’t have upon arrival.

Last month I decided to step away from my full-time role at Escape.

Long story short, Escape is entering a new chapter of its life and it felt time for me to as well.

So much of the value I brought to Escape early on was through the experience of my own career change journey. It served me well as I reinvented myself in more authentic ways, and I hope I served it equally well.

But now it feels like it’s time to break away from the herd again (for now), push myself to grow in new ways once again, and bring back new stories.

What’s next for me?

For now I’ll continue to run our 2-day Escape Bootcamp career change crash course in London each month. 50 people have gone through them so far and they seem incredibly empowering for those unsure of their career next steps.

Aside from that — I’m not 100% sure! I’ve been dabbling with a bunch of exciting stuff: working in films and commercials. Leather craft. Nature immersion and microadventures. Researching and speaking on the “gig economy”. Traveling occasionally.

What I do know is this: it’s time to reinvest in myself and my creative work. Including writing and this blog.

Relaunching GiveLiveExplore

It’s funny. Each year since launching this blog, my creditability as a writer and reach has steadily increased, yet my output has consistently decreased. And the more self-conscious and self-doubting I’ve become.

I look back at my old posts and think — geez, I had balls to put that stuff out there. Now I struggle to put anything out unless it’s top notch.

Perfectionism alert!

5 years in, it’s time to police my perfectionism.

So this week I’m relaunching GiveLiveExplore with a renewed purpose.

What can you expect?

Long story short–you’ll hear from me more frequently.

My intention is to write and share with you weekly. To put myself on deadline each week, like the old days. To improve my writing craft and storytelling chops. To nurture the inner artist emerging from me. And to continue sharing that journey with you.

I’m subscribed to a ton of newsletters. Some of which I open, many of which I don’t. I want this to be one I’d open each and every time.

Better yet, I don’t want these to feel like a newsletter at all. But rather letters from a friend. Someone who’s on a similar path to you. Tales from a fellow deliberate journeyer.

If you’re on board — high fives all around! If you’re not already, you can subscribe here.

Of course, this will be an experiment. I’ll try this out for a while and play it from there. So any feedback from you will be very, very welcomed.

Thanks again for being here. Until next time.

Matt

Thanks Austin Kleon for the kick in the butt, Alice for the book, and Union for the caffeine.

 

P.S. To those of you who have subscribed in the last 6 (or 12…) months and haven’t received your postcard yet — I haven’t forgotten about you! I have a backlog that I’m working through.


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