First of all Anna, you write so beautifully! I love your storytelling, it’s just mind blowing ❤️.
Secondly, this is all so timely for me because I literally just saw a video Dr. Izzy Sealey made on Hobbies being your best self defense against brain rot, and reading this now solidifies my conviction to go into the world and live life. 100 years from now, I’m not going to be here; I want to have a good time ❤️.
Thank you for this beautiful piece; and get well soon💐💐💐
wow! the honesty here is what makes it worth reading, building a career on portfolio thinking and admitting your own life doesn't practice it, that must take courage
I can definitely relate to this! I definitely should spend more time on exploring hobbies and interests out of work. I think though as people who have already turned hobbies/interests into income streams it can be hard to turn off that mindset and just enjoy something for what it is (I’m working on it though haha)
Yes! And I wouldn't say it's just about hobbies. Instead of organising your life around a job, you organise it around a portfolio of everything that matters to you. That could include care work, relationships, learning, health, contribution, play, or rest - not as extras to squeeze into the margins but as the activities that make life meaningful. :)
Are you sure that adding more hobbies is the correction to work consuming your life? Or are they another way for infinite optionality to scatter it? When you're 95, will you prefer to have dabbled in a million things or to have concentrated your energy on a coherent life story that mattered?
I like how you say "My money comes from many places but my sense of meaning does not." I'd just push back on the idea of taking on more hobbies for the sake of "balance" or whatever, and instead making choices that concentrate on sustaining that long-term pursuit of what's meaningful.
Interesting point! I think for me it’s about having hobbies outside of business and writing (my two great loves haha) that stimulate a different side of my brain and help me switch off.
Resonate with the concept of portfolio living as someone who did corporate, tech, now building a business while also looking for investments in businesses.
All while trying to raise 3 kids, find time for my mental and physical health, be in a book club, join mahjong. All the things 🥹
But each one was chosen with intention. Love this concept of portfolio living.
And now that I think about it - my substack is very much my documentation of that journey of portfolio living, You just had a better name for it!
This resonated deeply. After spending 25 years in corporate leadership, I realized that building a career and building a life aren’t always the same thing. Leaving my executive role gave me the opportunity to ask a different question: What do I want my days to look like? That question has changed far more than my career—it has changed how I define wealth. Thank you for such a thoughtful reminder.
Love this one for you AM! There is so much joy to be found outside of work and you are such a joyous person :) Excited to hear more!
🫶🏼
First of all Anna, you write so beautifully! I love your storytelling, it’s just mind blowing ❤️.
Secondly, this is all so timely for me because I literally just saw a video Dr. Izzy Sealey made on Hobbies being your best self defense against brain rot, and reading this now solidifies my conviction to go into the world and live life. 100 years from now, I’m not going to be here; I want to have a good time ❤️.
Thank you for this beautiful piece; and get well soon💐💐💐
Thank you so much 🥹
wow! the honesty here is what makes it worth reading, building a career on portfolio thinking and admitting your own life doesn't practice it, that must take courage
Writing my Substack is a constant reminder to look in the mirror!
I can definitely relate to this! I definitely should spend more time on exploring hobbies and interests out of work. I think though as people who have already turned hobbies/interests into income streams it can be hard to turn off that mindset and just enjoy something for what it is (I’m working on it though haha)
So true! My brain always goes to “how can I monetise this or turn it into a business” automatically haha
Yes! And I wouldn't say it's just about hobbies. Instead of organising your life around a job, you organise it around a portfolio of everything that matters to you. That could include care work, relationships, learning, health, contribution, play, or rest - not as extras to squeeze into the margins but as the activities that make life meaningful. :)
Exactly this 😊
Are you sure that adding more hobbies is the correction to work consuming your life? Or are they another way for infinite optionality to scatter it? When you're 95, will you prefer to have dabbled in a million things or to have concentrated your energy on a coherent life story that mattered?
I like how you say "My money comes from many places but my sense of meaning does not." I'd just push back on the idea of taking on more hobbies for the sake of "balance" or whatever, and instead making choices that concentrate on sustaining that long-term pursuit of what's meaningful.
Interesting point! I think for me it’s about having hobbies outside of business and writing (my two great loves haha) that stimulate a different side of my brain and help me switch off.
Resonate with the concept of portfolio living as someone who did corporate, tech, now building a business while also looking for investments in businesses.
All while trying to raise 3 kids, find time for my mental and physical health, be in a book club, join mahjong. All the things 🥹
But each one was chosen with intention. Love this concept of portfolio living.
And now that I think about it - my substack is very much my documentation of that journey of portfolio living, You just had a better name for it!
There you go!!
This resonated deeply. After spending 25 years in corporate leadership, I realized that building a career and building a life aren’t always the same thing. Leaving my executive role gave me the opportunity to ask a different question: What do I want my days to look like? That question has changed far more than my career—it has changed how I define wealth. Thank you for such a thoughtful reminder.
You’re so welcome 😊