3 business-y things for September š
On anticipatory grief, summer slackness & getting back on track
All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.
Virgina Woolf
Hi friend,
Wasnāt that a summer?
It always takes me a minute to rev things up after the break. The mix of a two- week holiday and long weekends and running Hotel Reading Festival for teens meant I pushed a couple of projects back mentally.
Iām officially in my Getting Back On Track Era. Ā Ā
This back-to-school season feels extra bitter-sweet. My 17-year-old just started Y13 and my daughter (āMum, donāt cry, Iām late.ā) is going into Sixth Form. Everything feels imbued with anticipatory grief. I am not ok. Especially as my Instagram feed is filled with university drop-off Reels. Sending love to anyone whoās adjusting in the next couple of weeks.
Hugest thanks to everyone whoās bought a copy ofĀ Primers Volume Seven ! Itās been a joy to have the poems in the world, with you. And to share this part of me with you more deeply.
Ok, back to business and Septemberās golden-hued starts. Where will you be planting new seeds? Ā
3 business-y things for September
In the spirit of getting ALL THE THINGS back on track, this is what Iām prioritising this month:
1.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Creating First
While this summer felt full, I also wanted to make the most of its long days and slower evenings. Which meant some slack habits edged in: starting the day with a quick Substack scan or Instagram scroll. Ditching my morning routine here, there, maybe everywhere.
Creating first is an anchor in my business and creative life. Itās the commitment to make my creative work the first thing I do in the morning. To give more of myself to the things that move my dreams forward. Without it, I get listless and off-centreā¦(not a good look for a list addict š).
September is about re-committing to creating first. Making sure writing or journaling or even sketching out a LinkedIn post happens before a dirty doom scroll. Ā
Join me. It will reset the tone for your day entirely.
2.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Investing in my business + creativity
Next month is my 12-year business birthday. By now, I know pace and patterns of this game. Ā That come September, Iām ready for a nudge to help sustain my flow, to get Januaryās goals over the line.
The truth is, Iāve also been really craving more community and connection. So, Iām signed up for Jessica Lorimerās C-Suite Sprint to get lead gen back to pre-July levels, upgraded to Claire Venusās Diamond Substack programme because I know Iāve been hiding here, plus a writing day with Clover Stroud. Sometimes you need a container of collaboration, that collective energy, to create a new current in your work.
3.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Closing the workday well Ā
Call it summer slacking, call it working from home for too long - my end of the day routine just isnāt a thing. It kind of fades into a blurry evening nothing-ness, with a 5.30 to-do list sift, shuffling tasks to the next day and shutting my laptop. No reflection or taking note of wins (or otherwise), zero self-enquiry about where I can do better.
Intention is huge for me, and I get anxious when this slips. Which is why Iām bringing more structure to how I close my workday, starting with The Five Minute Journal (full disclosure, wonderful Nonie White (also my ex-coach) recommended this back in March. Letās just say my practice has been scattered at best).
I would honestly love to hear how youāre taking action in your business and work this September. After ordering your copy of Primers Volume Seven šš½
As always, every ā¤ļøor share makes the world of difference to this newsletter. Iām so grateful for every one. If youāre not on Substack, just hit reply.
With love,
Antonia xo
PS Hereās a few things Iām loving/ doing this month:
1.Ā Ā Ā The Primers Volume Seven poetry party is 23rd September, at the gorgeous Poetry Pharmacy. An evening of celebration and poetry and chats! Please come along if you can.
2.Ā Ā Ā This piece from my ex-coach (for nowā¦) Selina Barker on easing yourself into back-to-school season was super-helpful. And forgiving.
3.Ā Ā Ā I recommend Sam Baker's The Shift a lot. Possibly because she keeps talking to Very Cool Women. This one with Fearne CottonĀ on second chapters and re-imagining your career amd carving your own path was just the tonic. Loved it.
Just ordered your book. Canāt wait to read!
I donāt have an evening routine, definitely mornings for me, but I think Iām going to start one now Xx
I have tried every morning to get my morning routine going to no avail. Way too much scrolling is not helping my foggy brain at all!