this was a good week.
I finished my first round of edits, usually the most intense of several rounds. I didn’t think I would get them done until next week, especially since it involved rewriting a couple of chapters, but happily, it went pretty smoothly, and I turned everything in ahead of schedule. Looks like we’re on track for the next book to be released next fall. Watch this space.
Normally, I would be sharing links of good that happened over the past week, and I would’ve spent a considerable portion of yesterday looking for those links. But the weather was glorious, and I decided that since I didn’t have any pending deadlines, I’d go to an arboretum close by and spend some time soaking up a bit of the gorgeousness that was hinting at autumn. I took my camera with me, and decided to film some video. It was so incredibly peaceful. You can see what I shot above, and join me in a moment of Zen. I hope it makes your week a good week.
I feel an evolution coming.
It was good to have the camera in my hands again — I’d made a commitment to teach myself video, which was why I set up The Make Light Project about five months ago. At the time, I kept it behind a paywall, because I knew that I was planning on sharing a few pretty personal posts (including details of our place in Bath, United Kingdom, our reasoning for cultivating a transatlantic life, to say little of my decidedly beginner-level videos). For that reason, I wanted to be sure that those who had access to these more intimate posts had a little skin in the game — it helped ensure that while folks who saw our home and our decisions might not always agree with what we did, all of us who are part of the Make Light Project community were motivated to remain respectful and lead with kindness.
But once this season of book edits is finished — by the end of the year, I’d imagine — I won’t have the sort of deadline and writing pressures that I’ve had for the past few years (and definitely the last few months). I feel myself entering a season of creativity. I know I’ll want to write more and shoot more, and while I’m still definitely a beginner when it comes to video, I’ve even signed up for a filmmaking course to see if I can learn all the technical aspects of making a short film. I’m really, really excited about what may be in store.
I want you all to be a part of this.
In order to keep myself accountable (in filmmaking and everything else), since I’ve always found it helpful to share my creativity online, I’ve decided that starting now, I’ll share all my content in front of the paywall. From now on, everyone will be able to see every new post for at least two months. I hope you enjoy what’s to come — I’m striving for a new evolution in beauty-spotting, and I’m grateful to your keeping me on task!
But to be clear, the reason that I’ll be able to focus on this creativity is because of the patronage of those of you who are paid subscribers — it gives me the freedom to create my own content, without distraction. In gratitude for your continued support, paid subscribers will be able to comment on all posts, including more personal ones, as well as access the full archives. (In all cases, even if you can’t comment on a post, you can email me directly by responding to the post when it lands in your inbox.). And of course, for those of you who are founding subscribers, I’m still offering a 50-minute Office Hours coaching session for your subscription: I’ll help you talk through a challenge you’re facing, or you can ask me any burning questions you might have — on navigating international moves, switching careers, writing a book, whatever. And since Substack is now allowing for live webinars, I imagine in 2025 we’ll have a few live events for paid subscribers — including journaling sessions, previews of the new book, and more.
I’m hoping to roll out these changes over the next 3 months or so. For now, the only changes you’ll see are that posts older than two months are now archived, and Make Light Project posts — like this one — will now be visible and watchable to all when they’re published (paid subscribers will be able to content the Make Light Project posts, as always). I hope you enjoy them.
and always — always — thank you.
I’m seriously so grateful to all of you who continue to support my work, who send me emails, and who share your insights with me. It’s because of your kindness and generosity that I’m excited about this season of creating to come.
Let’s keep making light together.
music: epidemic sound
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a moment of zen