Have we woken up yet?

It's high time for a bit of an update this month, and it's a bit insta-worthy (what isn't these days?), but I think I'd like to tell you first if that's alright?

I've come to a deep realisation that over the last few years I've been burnt out, quite considerably (parenthood will do that to anyone!).

I don't do things by halves, but allowing myself to do just that here and there, I've been steadily getting to know my creative side again. Please don't misunderstand me, as I know my wife will perhaps read this with a tear in her eye, or guilt in her heart (but more likely anger in her soul!).

I live a gifted life, full of love and prosperity and friendship; I am not complaining about any of these things.

I fell like the creative soul inside me is calling out, screaming for peace and solace and rest (and that's my actual soul too!); and rather oddly, to rest as a creative is too let the mind race, get lost in thoughts and dreams, picturing projects of ambition, and planning each stage.

We are living in a time of great reset, Covid has woken us up to what matters most in this world, and if we indulge in those through life then that is no bad thing. Life is what you make it after all, so why wouldn't I make it full of magic and dragons?

So what's the news, I hear you ask?

Well that's just the thing. Now I know I've been burnt out, I can begin to heal and I can start doing the silly things I used to do, like drawing maps, crafting narratives, and after almost three years, finally get to editing and releasing 'King's Reach' before I watch telly one day and see that someone else has already written the story and stolen my time.

I know I don't have much time or structure in my life right now, but these habits I will learn to build, and I will learn to take my time as unapologetic as that might be, and I will breath, and take each step as it comes.

We're all on this great journey together, why not go at our own pace?

To quote a friend: required listening: Dear Woodworm by The Oh Hellos

When I was a child, I didn't hear a single word you said The things I was afraid of, they were all confined beneath my bed But the years have been long, you have taught me well to hide away The things that I believed in, you've taught me to call them all escapes

I know who you are now I know who you are I know who you are now

There before the threshold, I saw a brighter world beyond myself And in my hour of weakness, you were there to see my courage fail For the years have been long, and you have taught me well to sit and wait Planning without acting, steadily becoming what I hate

I know who you are now I know who you are I know who you are now Oh, ooh

I have always known you, you have always been there in my mind But now I understand you, and I will not be part of your designs

I know who I am now And all that you've made of me

I know who you are now, and I name you my enemy

I know who I am now I know who I want to be

I want to be more than this devil inside of me Woah, oh-oh-oh-oh, woah, oh-oh-oh Woah, oh-oh-oh-oh, woah, oh-oh-oh