Thank you for sharing your reflections on your journey over the last decade.
What almost always shines through in your writing about your life is joy, commitment, and courage. You create, but don't describe it as a grind or a miserable experience. You purposefully search out ways to create and areas to write about that create a spark within you.
It's refreshing to hear that you can create a life aligned with your integrity and have fun along the way.
As a new-ish toddler dad and physician, I've loved the moments I spend with my son, immersed in his world. I've also struggled with the misguided belief that anything "worth" doing must be a grind and must be super hard. I'm slowly undoing these beliefs and finding areas of light.
Outstanding post here. Plenty to unpack and think through. Especially enjoyed the parts about our relationship with money. It’s amazing how that undercurrent runs through so many decisions adults make, often times without even realizing it.
Holy shit, this is the single best post I’ve read in months. I’m a scientist struggling to survive the collapse of research, public health, and higher ed in the US at the same time I have discovered over the last 2 years a real passion for writing. I’ve been starting to consider striking out on my own, trying to diversify my income sources while also doing more of the things I love (writing, speaking, teaching). This is so full of excellent advice, the key one being that persistence pays off— and also the reality that you have to become a beginner again. That’s no small pill to swallow on the cusp of 40, having clawed my way up the ranks of academia, but this post is pretty much exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing Paul!! Having a non-traditional career means there sometimes isn't a commonly understood "language" to articulate your choices, highs, and lows, which can feel isolating -- your newsletter helps close the gap :)
Thanks for sharing your path Paul. It's always reassuring to know that even the pathless path is less crowded, the people who are there are actually enjoying their time :)
I resonate with this on so many levels. I used to work in country-branding media, spending months at a time living out of hotel rooms, interviewing ministers, CEOs, and diplomats. On the surface, it looked like a dream job. Underneath, it was high-octane burnout.
After leaving that world, my work life meandered for a bit, but eventually, I built a remote business that ran mostly on autopilot. For over a decade, it gave me the space to be present at home, raise my daughter alongside my wife, and actually **live**.
That income stream is now under pressure. But like you, I’ve learned not to panic. Instead, I’m taking it as a push to step out of my comfort zone and dive fully into writing. It won’t be passive, but it feels like the most alive use of my energy right now.
Thanks for sharing this reflection. It landed deep.
I really really resonated with your two reflections you summarised this with! As a creative enthusiast who dreams of being a full-time artist and writer, things are hard, but you always keep going nevertheless because you're happy and hopeful! 💛 Not many understands that, and thats okay. Not everyone has to figure out your calling!
This is super insightful Paul. Knowing when enough is enough is often the hardest part. Good on you for being able to spend time with your family in a way that an alternative path may not have allowed.
Sorry, just realized those are coliving places? We moved back into our old apartment, husband is from here and had bought one ages ago. We’re here to help take care of his folks, so it’s a homecoming for him, and I’m along for the ride. 😊
Ah nice. Yeah there’s a great guy nacho Rodriguez that has an amazing nomad community in las Palmas. He owns the Coliving houses. We spent Covid in one of them!
We’re in Las Palmas, up on one of the hills overlooking the lower end of Las Canteras. I’ve been thinking about going to Talleres Palermo when I’m ready for co-working, but will check out Repeople! Thanks for the tip!
You left me really inspired about making effort to celebrate wins, diversifying your income and how you’ve found ways to make writing important but not pressure it to be the breadwinner. Thank you for this share Paul! I appreciate your transparency
Someone who thinks, “I’m someone who can earn and is worth this much,” and will look for opportunities to do so.
I definitely fall in that camp. I've also had a dip in my income as a self employed person, and fought mightily not to think of myself as a failure. I hope that when I look back in year 8, I can see that it was just part of the journey.
My favorite line in all of this:
I found that I preferred hanging out with my daughter to working most days.
I feel you on this one. Great reflection Paul.
Thanks Latham!
Thank you for sharing your reflections on your journey over the last decade.
What almost always shines through in your writing about your life is joy, commitment, and courage. You create, but don't describe it as a grind or a miserable experience. You purposefully search out ways to create and areas to write about that create a spark within you.
It's refreshing to hear that you can create a life aligned with your integrity and have fun along the way.
As a new-ish toddler dad and physician, I've loved the moments I spend with my son, immersed in his world. I've also struggled with the misguided belief that anything "worth" doing must be a grind and must be super hard. I'm slowly undoing these beliefs and finding areas of light.
Thank you, Paul!
Thanks Cobin. I suspect that’s one lesson little kids can teach us too. My daughter hates hard things but likes some challenges
Outstanding post here. Plenty to unpack and think through. Especially enjoyed the parts about our relationship with money. It’s amazing how that undercurrent runs through so many decisions adults make, often times without even realizing it.
Amazing write up!! Inspires me to write something similar about the 2.5 years of my own pathless path.
Paul, can we have this summary writeups every year please!
Thank you!
ive done one most years! search the archive
Holy shit, this is the single best post I’ve read in months. I’m a scientist struggling to survive the collapse of research, public health, and higher ed in the US at the same time I have discovered over the last 2 years a real passion for writing. I’ve been starting to consider striking out on my own, trying to diversify my income sources while also doing more of the things I love (writing, speaking, teaching). This is so full of excellent advice, the key one being that persistence pays off— and also the reality that you have to become a beginner again. That’s no small pill to swallow on the cusp of 40, having clawed my way up the ranks of academia, but this post is pretty much exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. Thank you!
Hey Lindsey. Glad it was useful! Rooting for your next phase
Such a great overview!
excited to see what's next for you
me too lol
Thank you for sharing Paul!! Having a non-traditional career means there sometimes isn't a commonly understood "language" to articulate your choices, highs, and lows, which can feel isolating -- your newsletter helps close the gap :)
Thanks for sharing your path Paul. It's always reassuring to know that even the pathless path is less crowded, the people who are there are actually enjoying their time :)
#7 rings very true for me. As a self-employed Dad to a 13-month-old (who takes care of him on Fridays), you capture that feeling perfectly.
cool to hear. I've been thinking about this a bit the last few months, nice to hear it resonated!
love that you're doing a four day workweek, thats so awesome
I resonate with this on so many levels. I used to work in country-branding media, spending months at a time living out of hotel rooms, interviewing ministers, CEOs, and diplomats. On the surface, it looked like a dream job. Underneath, it was high-octane burnout.
After leaving that world, my work life meandered for a bit, but eventually, I built a remote business that ran mostly on autopilot. For over a decade, it gave me the space to be present at home, raise my daughter alongside my wife, and actually **live**.
That income stream is now under pressure. But like you, I’ve learned not to panic. Instead, I’m taking it as a push to step out of my comfort zone and dive fully into writing. It won’t be passive, but it feels like the most alive use of my energy right now.
Thanks for sharing this reflection. It landed deep.
Very cool. Good to hear there are others feeling similar pressures but still leaning into it
I really really resonated with your two reflections you summarised this with! As a creative enthusiast who dreams of being a full-time artist and writer, things are hard, but you always keep going nevertheless because you're happy and hopeful! 💛 Not many understands that, and thats okay. Not everyone has to figure out your calling!
This is super insightful Paul. Knowing when enough is enough is often the hardest part. Good on you for being able to spend time with your family in a way that an alternative path may not have allowed.
Happy anniversary! 🎉🎂 sending abrazos from Gran Canaria. 😊
Oh awesome. I love las Palmas. Are you staying in repeople places ?
Sorry, just realized those are coliving places? We moved back into our old apartment, husband is from here and had bought one ages ago. We’re here to help take care of his folks, so it’s a homecoming for him, and I’m along for the ride. 😊
Ah nice. Yeah there’s a great guy nacho Rodriguez that has an amazing nomad community in las Palmas. He owns the Coliving houses. We spent Covid in one of them!
We’re in Las Palmas, up on one of the hills overlooking the lower end of Las Canteras. I’ve been thinking about going to Talleres Palermo when I’m ready for co-working, but will check out Repeople! Thanks for the tip!
You left me really inspired about making effort to celebrate wins, diversifying your income and how you’ve found ways to make writing important but not pressure it to be the breadwinner. Thank you for this share Paul! I appreciate your transparency
Someone who thinks, “I’m someone who can earn and is worth this much,” and will look for opportunities to do so.
I definitely fall in that camp. I've also had a dip in my income as a self employed person, and fought mightily not to think of myself as a failure. I hope that when I look back in year 8, I can see that it was just part of the journey.
yeah two sides to that belief - key is not beating yourself up!