Writing the future

Dreaming + planning as the new year unfolds

Picture being handed a 366-page journal for this leap year. It’s blank yet brimming with possibility. What stories will you write on its pages?

Since a leap year keeps us in sync with the seasons, I’m looking to 2024 as an opportunity to reconnect with my body and mind, find harmony in my life and work, and support my own internal rhythm. And I’d love to do so with a sense of playfulness and possibility.

While February (my birth month) and September tend to carry more "fresh start" energy for me, I still like to dream and plan as a new year unfolds. Midwinter is a time for going inward, but I’m noticing an outward energy, which I’d like to harness!

“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.”

– Gloria Steinem

Sharing my words

One of my hopes is to carve out more time and space for article writing. Brand Seasons has become a soft place for me to land, and what began as a side project—a fledgling idea—has evolved into a “hub” where I can explore topics such as curiosity and creativity, how they feed and fuel us, heal and hold us.

A highlight on my path towards writing more is today’s guest article about creative rest on

The Hyphen by Emma Gannon

. The piece touches on chronic illness, the lessons learned from my work with somatic coach and embodiment practitioner Sara Duigou, and how we can make creative rest a part of the everyday.

Instead of 'smashing goals', how about adding in more 'creative rest'?

I'm grateful to Emma for trusting me and sharing my words with her community, and I'm delighted to have my work nestled in there alongside the articles and essays of others. The Hyphen was the first publication I subscribed to on

Substack

, which makes this opportunity all the more meaningful.

Stay tuned for an upcoming creative series with an online magazine, a branding column with another Substack publication, and some exciting podcast recordings and collaborative pieces.

Supporting my writing

My guiding words for the coming year are possibility, compassion and abundance, so I'm embracing the art of asking—giving voice to those quiet wants and needs and the things we hesitate to pursue—and inviting you to support my writing here on Substack.

I’ve been a self-employed designer for almost two decades, so I’m no stranger to charging for my knowledge and expertise, but introducing subscription plans feels a little stretchy. I'm also mindful to maintain the essence of Brand Seasons. Somehow, this space feels more we than me. So I’m approaching this shift with a degree of flexibility.

From today I’m offering an annual subscription with access to seasonal branding resources, a creative book club, and monthly branding clinics.

Whatever form it takes, your presence here means a lot. And I believe these offerings can enhance our sense of community without altering the experience for those who prefer not to upgrade.

And if affordability is a concern, please email me for a complimentary subscription. No questions asked.

What are you pursuing in your business or creative life? Are you embracing an inward or outward energy as this new year begins?

As a free subscriber, you can enjoy articles and essays exploring the rhythms of our creative lives and work, written through the lenses of curiosity, creativity, and connection.

If you’re ready to craft a brand that feels like home and access exclusive insights and resources, consider upgrading to join my Brand Seasons paid community. Here, I support you with a gentle, nurturing, and playful approach to brand strategy, styling, and storytelling. I’d love to welcome you!