Like 'The Twelve Days of Christmas,' I'm counting down the next twelve days until I embark on my next adventure (minus the partridge, the pear tree & the rest of the motley crew).
Congratulations Alexandra 🥳 I love your perspective here. We never know where our path is going to take us and this next step sounds like it has so many parts that align with you and what you’re looking for. Very exciting!
Thanks, Michelle! Likewise, I love how open-minded you are about walking "pathless paths" and prioritizing alignment. I admire your boldness in leaving your corporate job to move to the desert, and more recently, relocating to a bigger city based on your changing wants and needs. It's so important to embrace change for the better. 🙌
Belated congratulations and good luck! Hope you're settling in the new gig well :) Great point on the timing. I've never contemplated moving out of being employed to self-employment, but your essay gives me reassurance that it's never a one-way absolute path.
HI Ali, I’m late to your party as I’ve been having a more restrictive diet of reading Substacks and social media of late, but now that I’ve read your post, I am wondering how your first few weeks in your new job have been?
The descriptions you had in this edition of your newsletter remind me of an exercise I’ve used, and use with clients, on doing your best work. A “positive work” quadrant which, I think, was originally designed by It’s a simple exercise to identify where, when, and with whom you do your best work. Oh, and what are you doing when you do your best work.
This new location, the team you’ll be working with, the environment, and the skills you can deploy seem to match up with how you do your best work! So much alignment, and for that, I’m super excited for you!
Thanks, Eric! The first 6 weeks have been great and I’m excited about the year ahead. You’re 100% right about the environmental factors. Happy new year! :)
Congratulations on your new beginning! It's inspiring to see how you've navigated various challenges and transitions, turning them into opportunities for personal and professional growth. Your post on Paris reminds me of my time working there. A fabulous city-minus the frequent strike/protest. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment in your new role. Looking forward to reading more of you.
I've been meaning to comment on this. First, I'm very excited about your next move and how you came to that decision.
I've also found great relief in your words. I realize that even as I explore the pathless path, I am minding far too much attention to the perceptions of others, especially if I decide to be employed by a company again. I realize how silly this is and your words bring me the comfort that walking the pathless path means that sometimes you'll be on paved roads and somethings you won't. The goal is to walk the path that is authentic to you–external opinions be damned. So thank you for sharing this with your typical candor!
That’s great to hear, Camilo. The pathless path is indeed a challenging one and it’s important to distinguish our own desires from the impressions of others.
Everything about this just feels 100% right for you. I'm toasting you now for the way you've navigated yourself and shared it about so generously in the past and the bright future you're already creating for yourself with your self-awareness and attitude. Very glad you're going to keep sharing your insights, learning, and journey. Dialogue is so luck to have you.
Thank you so much, Rick! Appreciate your support and encouragement every step of the way. Always look forward to reading your thoughtful comments. That’s what’s amazing about the Write of Passage community, we get to keep in touch by sharing our journeys through writing.
Congratulations Alexandra! Your new endeavour sounds great, I can't wait to read your future Parisian pieces. I especially loved your remark on ours being a Society based on absolutism. Everything is either pitch black or dazzling white. We've lost a genuine appreciation for the in-between, for a balanced choice. It's all about "you either agree with me or you're against me". Pretty much in all spheres of life. Thank you for sharing this fantastic news and your reflections. :)
“Everything is either pitch black or dazzling white. We've lost a genuine appreciation for the in-between, for a balanced choice. It's all about "you either agree with me or you're against me". Pretty much in all spheres of life.”
Love this, Silvio! And your mention of “absolutism” is the validation I needed to write more about the topic in the future. :)
Thank you and look forward to sharing more reflections!
Ecstatic for you and this exciting announcement not only for your new role but the personal growth. Wish I could be celebrating with you in person. One of these days...
Thanks so much, Steven! And hell yes, cannot wait until we get to hang out in person. A massive WOP reunion will happen eventually and it will be *so* worth the wait. Hope you're having a blast in Austin with everyone there in the meantime.
Congratulations Alexandra 🥳 I love your perspective here. We never know where our path is going to take us and this next step sounds like it has so many parts that align with you and what you’re looking for. Very exciting!
Thanks, Michelle! Likewise, I love how open-minded you are about walking "pathless paths" and prioritizing alignment. I admire your boldness in leaving your corporate job to move to the desert, and more recently, relocating to a bigger city based on your changing wants and needs. It's so important to embrace change for the better. 🙌
Belated congratulations and good luck! Hope you're settling in the new gig well :) Great point on the timing. I've never contemplated moving out of being employed to self-employment, but your essay gives me reassurance that it's never a one-way absolute path.
Thanks, Becky! All is well and I’m glad this edition gave you food for thought. Happy new year! :)
HI Ali, I’m late to your party as I’ve been having a more restrictive diet of reading Substacks and social media of late, but now that I’ve read your post, I am wondering how your first few weeks in your new job have been?
The descriptions you had in this edition of your newsletter remind me of an exercise I’ve used, and use with clients, on doing your best work. A “positive work” quadrant which, I think, was originally designed by It’s a simple exercise to identify where, when, and with whom you do your best work. Oh, and what are you doing when you do your best work.
This new location, the team you’ll be working with, the environment, and the skills you can deploy seem to match up with how you do your best work! So much alignment, and for that, I’m super excited for you!
Thanks, Eric! The first 6 weeks have been great and I’m excited about the year ahead. You’re 100% right about the environmental factors. Happy new year! :)
Congratulations on your new beginning! It's inspiring to see how you've navigated various challenges and transitions, turning them into opportunities for personal and professional growth. Your post on Paris reminds me of my time working there. A fabulous city-minus the frequent strike/protest. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment in your new role. Looking forward to reading more of you.
Thank you, Winston! Much appreciated. Indeed Paris is a wonderful city with a few cons. :)
Happy New Year!
I've been meaning to comment on this. First, I'm very excited about your next move and how you came to that decision.
I've also found great relief in your words. I realize that even as I explore the pathless path, I am minding far too much attention to the perceptions of others, especially if I decide to be employed by a company again. I realize how silly this is and your words bring me the comfort that walking the pathless path means that sometimes you'll be on paved roads and somethings you won't. The goal is to walk the path that is authentic to you–external opinions be damned. So thank you for sharing this with your typical candor!
“I've also found great relief in your words.”
That’s great to hear, Camilo. The pathless path is indeed a challenging one and it’s important to distinguish our own desires from the impressions of others.
Happy new year! 🥳
Congrats on the new role Alexandra!
Thanks, Jen! :)
Everything about this just feels 100% right for you. I'm toasting you now for the way you've navigated yourself and shared it about so generously in the past and the bright future you're already creating for yourself with your self-awareness and attitude. Very glad you're going to keep sharing your insights, learning, and journey. Dialogue is so luck to have you.
Thank you so much, Rick! Appreciate your support and encouragement every step of the way. Always look forward to reading your thoughtful comments. That’s what’s amazing about the Write of Passage community, we get to keep in touch by sharing our journeys through writing.
Congratulations Alexandra! Your new endeavour sounds great, I can't wait to read your future Parisian pieces. I especially loved your remark on ours being a Society based on absolutism. Everything is either pitch black or dazzling white. We've lost a genuine appreciation for the in-between, for a balanced choice. It's all about "you either agree with me or you're against me". Pretty much in all spheres of life. Thank you for sharing this fantastic news and your reflections. :)
“Everything is either pitch black or dazzling white. We've lost a genuine appreciation for the in-between, for a balanced choice. It's all about "you either agree with me or you're against me". Pretty much in all spheres of life.”
Love this, Silvio! And your mention of “absolutism” is the validation I needed to write more about the topic in the future. :)
Thank you and look forward to sharing more reflections!
Congratulations on your new beginning!
Thank you so much, Pamela! 😊
Exciting news, Alexandra! Congrats on this next phase of your career!
Thanks, Amanda! Much appreciated. 😊
SO incredibly well deserved and what a nice set up alongside an incredible professional opp. congrats!
Thanks so much, Ellen! Definitely excited. 😊
Love this! Congrats on remaining true to yourself. I wish you the best and will stay tuned for updates from old Montreal. 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you, Baz! Much appreciated. And I will be happy to oblige with photos and updates! 🙌😊
Ecstatic for you and this exciting announcement not only for your new role but the personal growth. Wish I could be celebrating with you in person. One of these days...
Thanks so much, Steven! And hell yes, cannot wait until we get to hang out in person. A massive WOP reunion will happen eventually and it will be *so* worth the wait. Hope you're having a blast in Austin with everyone there in the meantime.
Cue the confetti! 🎉🎈🥳
Thanks, Simone! 🙌😊
Amazing!!! Congrats Alexandra!!!!
Thank you, David!!!
I can feel the freedom of being flowing through your words. Good luck, and can't wait to continue reading about your next steps every Wednesday.
Thank you, Yehudis! Much appreciated. And yes, "freedom" is a great way to describe it - your intuitive nature is on point (as always!). 😊