The Two Levels of Creativity, Lockdown in SE4, and an optional Webinahhhhh, mate..
Hello Carousel community,
AN INVITATION RIGHT NOW
If you’re reading this and already feeling at capacity...
If your head is full to the brim with possibilities, shoulds and coroverwhelm...
Shut down this email, make a cup of tea, and gift yourself 5 minutes of NOTHING.
Think of this as the opposite of signing up to a webinar - this is a WebiNAHHHH MATE.
Enjoy :)
If you're still with me - hi!
If I’m totally honest, I wasn’t sure whether to write a Carousel this month. This was for a couple of reasons:
We are being inundated at the moment with blog posts, podcasts and ideas about Corona - I didn't want this to be another thing people had to ''do''. (Anyone else have a 'to read later' folder in their emails, which you NEVER open...?)
I worried that some of the offers, updates and ideas in this newsletter would come across as insensitive if people are in different set-ups to me. I’m lucky enough to have time right now, and space to breathe. I’m aware this is a luxury.
At the same time...
Despite the overwhelm, this is a useful outlet for me to process what’s been going on. Plus I've trawled through the podcasts to find you some absolute gems.
There are some amazing offers in this newsletter, from me and the wider Carousel community. I trust you'll take what you need and ignore what you don't.
So let's get stuck in!
THIS MONTH'S MUSINGS...
The Two Levels of Creativity
Recently I've been asked to be the 'creativity' spokesperson on 3 webinars. (Which was great, because I could finally introduce myself not by job title, but by a selection of images of things that happen to be on my Carousel right now - so liberating!)
During the last webinar with Kim at Heroine's Journey, I had a real a-ha moment about the two levels of Creativity that are showing up at the moment. You can read my blog about them here.
How to make a decision (during a pandemic)
I have recently resorted back to one of my Camino-walking mantras:
''DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW?''
Sometimes I feel I have to take 100% responsibility for sorting out a situation, but there are always other moving parts. It's so liberating to create that extra bit of space, to step back, and let the situation work itself out.
Recently a friend was not sure where to move to, and when she used this mantra, the next day someone offered her a flat. I felt a bit stressed about work and finances the other day, but then I realised 'right now, in this very moment I am okay and don't need to spring into action.' A few hours later, one of my clients got in touch to say they want to redesign my workshops with them for an online offering.
I'm constantly reminding myself that I can't create from crisis. If I'm struggling to find motivation, or I'm entering panic mode about my future, the first thing I need to do is go back to things that nourish me (usually sleep and food - Mazlov, baby.)
WHAT'S ON MY CAROUSEL?
I've teamed up with some other fabulous well-being facilitators to offer a daily programme over the next few weeks. It's a mixture of mindfulness, astrology, understanding sensitivity and breathing, to name a few.
The timetable to book is here.
I'm offering the following workshops:
Tuesday 28th May 12-1pm
Intuitive Pricing - how to know what to charge in a world, which (seemingly) has no money.
Tuesday 5th May 12-1pm
The Quitting Quadrant - reassessing your projects and commitments during Corona.
Tuesday 12th May - 12-1pm
The Carousel Model - a revolutionary tool for multi-passionates who want to do it all!
Also on my Carousel: I'm continuing to coach my 1:1 clients and help host the Stuck at Home Friday parties on Zoom. I have had a few 1:1 ukulele lessons, which have been lovely, especially as the first one was with an old friend I haven't seen since I was 21!
Mostly I'm taking this time to pretend I'm in Spain (where I was supposed to be for April) and not have too many expectations of what comes out of it. That means prioritising having my morning coffee in the sunshine and not rushing too much. It may appear like I'm ''doing'' loads, but the pressure isn't there, which makes a huge difference to how I am approaching everything.
Book recommendation
''Untamed'' by Glennon Doyle - one of the best books I've read in years. It feels like a modern day Bible and an invitation to question all the systems, boxes and paradigms we've been brought up to believe in. You can listen to Glennon speak about the book here.
Podcast recommendation
It's another 'How to Fail' episode - this time with Alain de Botton about living in these times. Fascinating and a really compassionate, human and REAL take on what's going on.
NICE OFFERS FROM THE CAROUSEL COMMUNITY (get in touch if you'd like to share your shiz in future weeks)
FUN STUFF
1. Thank Stuck it's Friday
A weekly party organised by the Stuck at Home Facebook group. Banging DJs, a hilarious 'fun room' with comedians, funky folk and cheesy tunes, and a beautiful Live Lounge to send you to sleep.
Want to perform? Fill this in.
2. Shhh Dating with Iona
Find love online through fun games and authentic connection
Every Tuesday for 28-40 y/o
Every Thursday for 30-45 y/o
NOURISHING SPACES
3. Qoya movement with Kate Taylor - TONIGHT!
4. Expansive Empowerment Sessions
I got up at 8am for 7 days last week to work through the chakras each morning with Kate using a mixture of movement, mantras, breathing and intention setting. Early mornings are unheard of for me - so this is testament to how powerful her sessions were! She's packaged them up by chakra for people to work through themselves.
5. Movement, Cards and Imagination
Annaliisa is co-running an event that combines conscious dance, rituals, visualization and tarot card based on the 4 elements. Every Wednesday in April. Book here.
6. Lockdown lovelies
Looking for more connection, accountability or structure to your week during lockdown? My lovely sister Kate has a range of offerings here.
7. 1:1 Ukulele lessons
Message me here to arrange a time. Very relaxed and all levels welcome!
CORONA SUPPORT
8. Virtual Facilitation Webinar: Making online spaces meaningful.
I went to this last week and I'd recommend it as essential info for anyone facilitating online right now! Kate is a world class facilitator.
9. Slack channel for freelancers
A space to connect, share opportunities, needs and questions
LIFE IN SE4...
My isolation family is my whole life right now. Here are some stories from our lockdown...
Something Silly
Last Saturday Iona and I went to the moon.We dressed up in space gear, were put in Zoom shuttles, and then were all asked to shake our computer screens to feel the turbulence at take-off! I took Sarah Moany (Moony) to a few of the breakout rooms and did some comedy tarot readings. Iona ran the Lunacy Playground and got people doing the moon walk. I felt like I was 4 again and it was GREAT.
Something nourishing
We've been doing some Live Lounges on FB live. Last night we did a Wonder Woman medley of Sia, Rihanna, Robyn and um... Pitbull. Total level 1 creativity :)
Something heartwarming
One of the things I most miss from growing up in a smaller city is the sense of community you get from knowing your neighbours. On Saturday evening our next door neighbours (two guys in their late 20s) invited us to their front porch for a socially-distanced BBQ and firepit - it felt like a festival! I know we never would have hung out on a Saturday night normally. We all shared one thing we we'd be sad to lose from lockdon, and one thing we were most looking forward to having in our lives again. It was such a connected, honest conversation. I feel very grateful to have experienced this in London!
Something Spanish
We've re-written the Macarena about Corona and spent a day doing a music video. Cat and I dressed up as Spanish men to record the chorus...
That's all this month!
Until May. Stay safe and kind to yourself.
Big love,
Sarah x