Chapter 51: The Fresh Start Effect

Last night, I was a guest speaker at a meetup in Lisbon.

And let me tell you, the energy was electric.

But it also reminded me of the disservice I did to myself by not doing more of these this year.

Through the nature of my work, I spent more time alone than any year before.

And while I interacted with fewer people in real life, more people than ever interacted with me and my ideas because I was so public online. Ironic, no?

But the energy, the serendipity, and the spark that comes from being in a room with people… that’s hard to replicate on the internet.

The Hidden Cost Of Comfort

It’s hard to notice when your world begins to shrink.

It starts small: sticking with familiar habits, saying no to new things, keeping life predictable.

Comfort feels safe, but it comes with a hidden cost.

The more you repeat the same patterns, the harder it becomes to imagine anything different. And the longer you do this, the harder it becomes to break free.

The Fresh Start Effect

I love the idea of using fall as a natural reset.

In psychology, it’s called the Fresh Start Effect; where we naturally re-evaluate our lives during seasonal or symbolic transitions (seasons, birthdays, new years, etc)

For three of the past four years, I’ve made big life decisions in the fall.

This year is no different.

Trying to ignore the changing of seasons (both external and internal) is like fighting the natural flow of the world.

Not a fight you’re likely to win.

The Personal Shift

This year, I built two things that give me the flexibility and freedom to work on what I want, where I want. This was what I set out to.

But, as mentioned that came through a lot of isolation.

So with this checkpoint reached, I’m re-evaluating the trade-off of isolation over in-person experiences.

And last night reminded me how much the in-person side matters.

I had already made the decision to begin my next chapter, but last night solidified it.

Which brings me to some big news:

I’m heading to San Francisco for my next chapter.

It’s the place that makes the most sense for the ideas I want to pursue and the ambition I want to be around. Being closer to family is also a big driver.

I’m excited to take what I’ve built online and carry that momentum into this next chapter, to pair the online with the offline, and to step into rooms that force me to grow in new ways.

Wrapping Up

Change is the one constant in life.

Fighting it never works.

So as we enter the fall season, it might be worth asking yourself a simple question:

What chapters, habits, or identities would be beneficial for you to re-evaluate right now?

The answer might surprise you.

That’s all for today, my friend.

I hope this helps.

P.S. the next cohort of Story30 starts in January. If you’ve want to work with me 1:1 to grow your audience/business using short-form video, you can get on the waitlist here.