When do you take something off the Back of the Carousel for good? Plus events coming up!
Hello everyone,
And welcome to all the new readers!
For those of you who are new here, Carousel is a model that supports you to work intuitively with your many projects and interests, and this newsletter consists of musings to support you to live in this way. You can read up more here.
This issue, I wanted to share a story about what happens to projects at the BACK of the Carousel.
In the Carousel model, the Back of the Carousel is where projects go to rest. They're not finished, or over for good, but they are out of sight and mind for a while. The Back of the Carousel gives our projects breathing space while we turn our attention to whatever is at the front.
But can a project be on the back of the Carousel forever? What's the difference between it pausing there and just being over? Do you even need to make a decision? Or can it just fizzle out...?
These are questions I sat with recently regarding my monthly Comedy Night - Rye Laughs.
Rye Laughs has been on my Carousel since 2014, when I first put on the night as part of my 30 Day Challenge with John Williams from the Ideas Lab. Over the next few years the night grew from strength to strength with regular sell-out crowds and top comedians trying out new material (James Acaster, Tom Allen, Aisling Bea and Sara Pascoe to name a few...) It was a highlight of my month and I was living in true flow state combining my passions: curating events, writing and performing songs; and DJing as people arrived. In 2017 I was asked to programme a week-long comedy takeover of the The Nines in Peckham. I couldn't have been happier.
And then... the monotony and predictability started to creep in. Every month I was creating the event, getting my set ready, going through the motions but after 50+ shows it wasn't new or exciting anymore. The audience still loved it, and we barely had to advertise to sell out, but I was fading a bit.
Then the pandemic hit and put it at the Back of the Carousel for us. Our last gig was in February 2020, although we didn't know it. Whilst lockdowns made everything uncertain and highly stringent my co-host and I agreed we would only put it back on if it felt like we could do it properly. Then our venue sadly closed down so more waiting ensued...
Although it was at the back of my Carousel, I started to feel that it was tugging at me for my attention. It wanted to know. It wanted a decision to be made. But was there urgency? Why couldn't I sit with the uncertainty? But it didn't go away.
And then one day I finally honoured my need for this clarity and phoned my co-host.
We agreed together that the night was finished. We'd both moved on from it and other work and commitments had taken centre stage... BUT we would put on ONE LAST GIG to celebrate and alchemise everything it had been. This is really the word - alchemise. This night was too big to let it fizzle out without one last celebration. And the name? BYE LAUGHS. Worth it just for the pun I reckon...
What's been so interesting is that because I've found this positive way to end it, when people have expressed their sadness that the night is closing, I don't feel swayed by that. I don't feel like I've made a mistake. I don't feel tempted to do one more gig for the crowds.
It feels complete.
And you're all invited of course! It's on Thursday 9th December at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club in South London. Phil Wang is headlining and I will be performing some new (+old and loved!) comedy songs.
I'm really fascinated in endings and how we can start embracing them rather than avoiding them. In my quitting work I've noticed that our lack of ritual about bringing things to a close often means we hold onto things for way longer than needed. It's beautiful to watch the leaves at the moment falling just at the right time... there is no resistance, and what a show they're putting on for us too!
Inquiry: Where in your life you are holding onto something, which actually just needs a beautiful ending?
When something comes to mind ask yourself...
What do I want to celebrate from this period of my life?
Who do I want to celebrate it with?
How do I want to celebrate?
Need support? You can book in a 1:1 Coaching Session and we can explore it together :-)
Other offerings at the moment:
Friday 19th November 8pm - Online Ceremony for the Full Moon in Taurus
Saturday 4th December 11am-4pm - Day of Musical Joy
Thursday 9th December 8pm - BYE Laughs
For workplaces:
Have you thought about doing an end of year reflection with your team? I run creative, interactive sessions, which are a mix of personal and group reflection to give you time and space to take stock on everything that 2021 has been for you and the team. I use meditative music and banging tunes to celebrate the highs and also let go of everything that has now finished. Wholesome sentimentality with a bit of humour and hilarity thrown in. There is also the option of turning these reflections into a team song. Hit reply to this email if you'd like to find out more or explore my website.
January onwards...
I have space for 3 new coaching clients who would like to bring more joy and alignment into their 2022. I'll help you understand what you want to fill your life with so that you are happy and balanced, and am committed to this being YOUR way, rather than some carbon-copied idea of success. If you'd like to explore working together, you can book in a chat here.
On my Carousel:
Coaching is at the front of my Carousel right now: I'm delivering Coaching Training through Circl, working with 1:1 clients and up-skilling by training in the Co-Active model. I'm also exploring alternative ways to get into Composing without the MA - I'm applying for jobs as a composer (and putting together my portfolio), took on a Composing Challenge and am spending the day with Showstoppers tomorrow to understand what an improvising MD does! Spending time between London and Devon at the moment and enjoying the balance of the energy that London has to offer at this time of year with the expansion and pace of Devon...
Until next time...
Sarah x