omg, Jenny! What stupendous photos!!! I especially like the license plate "Eeeek!" I wonder what NYC would look like if you were in a totally different mood or place in your creative cycle? ;-) This is a great super-duper piece.
I encourage you to take that sabbatical leave, Jenny! Look at all the signs the universe provided encouraging you to choose yourself! I'm on one right now in fact. And when I return to work in February 2024 it will have been 18 months of rest, reflection, reassessment, recovery, and rejuvenation!
Originally, I'd planned a year off having completed the most crazy and ambitious thing I'd ever come up with, an undertaking that took almost 15 years to complete because of an unplanned life-changing interruption along the way. I finished it just in time for my 50th anniversary in business and while both were incredible highs, I realized I was tired. Bone tired. Beyond running on adrenaline tired!
Hence starting the year-long sabbatical. But, when the year was up, I was not ready to go back to work. So, I stayed on my leave and figured I'd know when it was time, no matter how long it took. Turns out, my creative light is only starting to spark interest in my business again now and I'm giving it space to catch fire.
In case you're wondering ... no, I didn't have money sacked away and yes, that does create a bit of anxiety plus it requires a lot of trust in the universe to have your back.
One thing that helped though is I keep a year's worth of rent in cash on hand so I can sleep soundly indoors. But, that's a long-time habit of mine after growing up food-and-shelter insecure as a child.
For the rest, I had to be resourceful and live simply (thankfully, another habit of mine). And there did come a point where I used a couple of the rent envelopes for good purpose so next year I'll want to replace those for a full year of rent savings.
I plan to fully enjoy the remaining two-and-a-half months of my sabbatical knowing, come February, if I'm not 100% ready, I can always extend it another 6 months to make a full two years of thinking about what's next for me. Given my age, the stakes are high as I likely have just 10 or so more years on the planet and I want to love, love, love how I spend them! That requires conscious choice.
That's what it means to be free. To spend your life-time exactly how you want to, with whom you want to and in the way you want to. With freedom comes responsibility. The gift of entrepreneurship is the ability to live responsibly and fully inhabit our lives and relationships with others and our work.
I look forward to seeing you enjoy your sabbatical too! All the best to you, Jenny!
Ryder is the goodest boi always. He's your little sherpa, making sure you do what's goodest for you. You have inspired me to do my own walking essay of serendipity signage. I have no doubt that you'll do whatever next move is in your highest good and I'll be here to cheer on whatever that is. XO
I love how cities speak to us through signs that are literally signs! I go on Oracle Walks in Camden that remind me so much of your magical experience. And my messages have gotten ever more clear - these days I get printed words in black and white so there is no mistaking the spiritual significance. I've spent the past week really tuning into something that I know is true for me in the deepest way, despite all of the messages around me that it's not possible. And as I got off the tube on Saturday, someone stepped in front of me with a bag that said simply and in all caps: WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW.
I wish for you the courage to ignore all of the circumstances in your world that clutter your truth by suggesting that you need to do anything other than exactly what is right for you to do, and the comfort of knowing that you will *always* be supported.
Amazing post! As you know, I’ve taken a sabbatical for much of this year. Stopping and pausing various projects, including my podcast, was necessary to do a hard reset and to try and hear what I and my life need and want. Big love to you xx
I LOVE this photo essay, Jenny! Your eye for capturing serendipity in signage is inspiring. ✨ I bet a well-deserved sabbatical would offer the space to uncover even more hidden treasures. ✨🌟✨💛✨ Here's to more exploration and alllllll the delightful surprises it brings!✨
This post in itself feels like a sign for me. I turn 49 in a couple of weeks which means I am heading into my 50th year. In Jewish tradition the 50th year, or year of Jubilee, was a year of living differently, a year of living off of the fruit and ‘riches’ that had been accumulated in previous years. It was also a year of letting things go and being released from things that had hampered other growth. I have been pondering the idea seriously and am encouraged that others also see the value in stopping, or slowing down, which feels so counter cultural.
Jenny, I had a Thomas’s English Muffin today inspired by your walk and the images you chose. Especially liked the shot of Ryder and you. IThe hiatus in new subscriptions may be a result of despair with current events among the sensible, caring and creative people who would normally discover you. You have made gift subscriptions available - folks, let’s do our part and help Jenny to shine her light where it’s most needed.
The ability to see things, especially words. So many of us pass the day on auto-pilot with our eyes but you have the skill to see things that for others just blend into background noise.
It made me thing of The Da Vinci Code, or Sherlock and their ability to see things that are in sight but somehow hidden or not noticed.
Cool photo tour!
Good luck with your decision and thinking through a sabbatical. It's a tough one. You did an amazing interview podcast a while back mentoring someone through a similar decision on taking time off. Could they return the favour and help you process through the emotions, fears, goals, excitement and practicalities?
omg, Jenny! What stupendous photos!!! I especially like the license plate "Eeeek!" I wonder what NYC would look like if you were in a totally different mood or place in your creative cycle? ;-) This is a great super-duper piece.
I really loved accompanying you and Ryder on your signs and symbols tour.
My two favorites : The Bartleby quote of I'd prefer not to. and the fruit loops. Ryder has good taste ib cereal!
I encourage you to take that sabbatical leave, Jenny! Look at all the signs the universe provided encouraging you to choose yourself! I'm on one right now in fact. And when I return to work in February 2024 it will have been 18 months of rest, reflection, reassessment, recovery, and rejuvenation!
Originally, I'd planned a year off having completed the most crazy and ambitious thing I'd ever come up with, an undertaking that took almost 15 years to complete because of an unplanned life-changing interruption along the way. I finished it just in time for my 50th anniversary in business and while both were incredible highs, I realized I was tired. Bone tired. Beyond running on adrenaline tired!
Hence starting the year-long sabbatical. But, when the year was up, I was not ready to go back to work. So, I stayed on my leave and figured I'd know when it was time, no matter how long it took. Turns out, my creative light is only starting to spark interest in my business again now and I'm giving it space to catch fire.
In case you're wondering ... no, I didn't have money sacked away and yes, that does create a bit of anxiety plus it requires a lot of trust in the universe to have your back.
One thing that helped though is I keep a year's worth of rent in cash on hand so I can sleep soundly indoors. But, that's a long-time habit of mine after growing up food-and-shelter insecure as a child.
For the rest, I had to be resourceful and live simply (thankfully, another habit of mine). And there did come a point where I used a couple of the rent envelopes for good purpose so next year I'll want to replace those for a full year of rent savings.
I plan to fully enjoy the remaining two-and-a-half months of my sabbatical knowing, come February, if I'm not 100% ready, I can always extend it another 6 months to make a full two years of thinking about what's next for me. Given my age, the stakes are high as I likely have just 10 or so more years on the planet and I want to love, love, love how I spend them! That requires conscious choice.
That's what it means to be free. To spend your life-time exactly how you want to, with whom you want to and in the way you want to. With freedom comes responsibility. The gift of entrepreneurship is the ability to live responsibly and fully inhabit our lives and relationships with others and our work.
I look forward to seeing you enjoy your sabbatical too! All the best to you, Jenny!
Ryder is the goodest boi always. He's your little sherpa, making sure you do what's goodest for you. You have inspired me to do my own walking essay of serendipity signage. I have no doubt that you'll do whatever next move is in your highest good and I'll be here to cheer on whatever that is. XO
This is so, so wonderful.💖
I love how cities speak to us through signs that are literally signs! I go on Oracle Walks in Camden that remind me so much of your magical experience. And my messages have gotten ever more clear - these days I get printed words in black and white so there is no mistaking the spiritual significance. I've spent the past week really tuning into something that I know is true for me in the deepest way, despite all of the messages around me that it's not possible. And as I got off the tube on Saturday, someone stepped in front of me with a bag that said simply and in all caps: WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW.
I wish for you the courage to ignore all of the circumstances in your world that clutter your truth by suggesting that you need to do anything other than exactly what is right for you to do, and the comfort of knowing that you will *always* be supported.
Amazing post! As you know, I’ve taken a sabbatical for much of this year. Stopping and pausing various projects, including my podcast, was necessary to do a hard reset and to try and hear what I and my life need and want. Big love to you xx
I LOVE this photo essay, Jenny! Your eye for capturing serendipity in signage is inspiring. ✨ I bet a well-deserved sabbatical would offer the space to uncover even more hidden treasures. ✨🌟✨💛✨ Here's to more exploration and alllllll the delightful surprises it brings!✨
This post in itself feels like a sign for me. I turn 49 in a couple of weeks which means I am heading into my 50th year. In Jewish tradition the 50th year, or year of Jubilee, was a year of living differently, a year of living off of the fruit and ‘riches’ that had been accumulated in previous years. It was also a year of letting things go and being released from things that had hampered other growth. I have been pondering the idea seriously and am encouraged that others also see the value in stopping, or slowing down, which feels so counter cultural.
so creative, Jenny - loved it!
Dorie & Alexis
Jenny, I had a Thomas’s English Muffin today inspired by your walk and the images you chose. Especially liked the shot of Ryder and you. IThe hiatus in new subscriptions may be a result of despair with current events among the sensible, caring and creative people who would normally discover you. You have made gift subscriptions available - folks, let’s do our part and help Jenny to shine her light where it’s most needed.
This is lovely, Jenny! Josh Ritter is an absolute favorite of mine and the soundtrack is a perfect companion to your thoughts. xo
Loved this and loved the idea of putting the question out there and then being open to the answer coming to you in different ways!
Oooh, you have a super power!
The ability to see things, especially words. So many of us pass the day on auto-pilot with our eyes but you have the skill to see things that for others just blend into background noise.
It made me thing of The Da Vinci Code, or Sherlock and their ability to see things that are in sight but somehow hidden or not noticed.
Cool photo tour!
Good luck with your decision and thinking through a sabbatical. It's a tough one. You did an amazing interview podcast a while back mentoring someone through a similar decision on taking time off. Could they return the favour and help you process through the emotions, fears, goals, excitement and practicalities?