Last month brought a really proud moment in my career – being profiled in the second edition of a bestselling book!
Be A Free Range Human has long been at the top of my recommended books list, because Marianne Cantwell, who wrote it, is a properly magical human.
It was her words I found when I was desperate to escape a miserable city job and lengthy commute, and it was from her community I made my first likeminded, free range friends.
Since then I’ve been part of one of her Free Range Festivals, and referred lots of people to her work, but the absolute icing on the cake was when she asked me to send over some information so I could be profiled as a success story in the book.
Me, a success story! Obviously I said an immediate yes, cried a bit (because EXCITESCARED™️) and then panicked quietly about it – who am I to be profiled in a book about creating a better life? But you know what, when I sat down to write, I realised that imposter syndrome can fuck right off .
I have created a better life for myself and I love the work I do now – I have built a successful portfolio career and I earn a living with my camera. I am a photographer, an artist and a business owner (and a mermaid, obvs!) and having a finger in many pies has done me no harm at all.
In fact, some of the work I do now involves mentoring multipods and business owners, helping them to thrive.
Seeing my name in print, my story out there in the world and holding the actual book in my hands was an amazing moment – one I’ll remember for a long time.
I’ve since re-read the book and it’s quite different from the first edition, and just as packed with inspiration, practical things to get on with and really good, actionable advice.
A few people have asked me if it’s helpful for existing business owners, or just for people making the first steps into self employment, and having read it I would say a resounding yes – this book will help you at any stage of your business.
I’ve picked up a whole stack of things to implement and I’m planning to read it again shortly, so I’m sure there is more to come.
As with anything, you have to do the work, not just read it and hope for osmosis – but I believe Marianne’s approach is one of the most powerful out there, and it’s worked wonders for me (along with my own hard work!).
Inspired? Get your copy of Be A Free Range Human at any good bookshop (preferably independent ones), or even your library <3
(if you do want to order from Amazon, you can find it here.)
You can find Marianne at her website or on Instagram, and you can see more photos from the book launch event here.
