Look ma, I made a hoodie!

The build begins. One eye, one line, one rule broken.

I’ve only just stopped dreaming in web build, waking up in the middle of the night feeling like I’ve been holding down ctrl shift or something for hours. There are two things happening simultaneously.

The Shop Is Open

I somehow managed to pull that all together in a day and a half. And I’m loving every minute of it. Ok, maybe not so much the stress part; but I have gotten better at managing everything. As it stands, I am a non-conformist. I’m the guy that pushes the red button that says do not push. OK, I’m not that dumb but when I am told no, I usually pick it up and go- ok but why?

Rebel with a cause.

My cause is not unique, it’s essential. We all know we need to improve everything from fashion to well, everything. ‘Lest we all end up like Mad Max. So, I’m not going to bang on about that, other than to say that developing products that last is incredibly important to me. It took months of research before choosing Teemill, and I am eagerly awaiting my first sample, I’ll share as soon as it arrives. I cannot wait to launch our designer range. To say I’ve been working hard is an understatement. I used to talk to people about stars, actual ones not the Hollywood kind, and now the only thing that comes out of my mouth is related to building, design or vision.

I’ve had to start watching Ghost Adventures again as a way of switching off.

There’s nothing like Aaron’s “whoa’s” to take your head out of reality. I’m not here to debate ghosts though. I am here to say I watch things like this to escape, and I’ve just finished a series, the first in almost a decade, thank you Peacemaker. I don’t have time nor the inclination to watch six episodes just for a bit of story and ten to get to the big action sequence. I haven’t watched any series aside from maybe the pilot in years. Kudos.

Although would I have watched it if John Cena wasn’t in it?

Doubt I would have clicked. Clearly, I don’t want to talk about work, I’m due to finish a design today, hopefully bring it to you asap, and I started writing this last night talking all business and it made my eyes water and my brain go all squirmy.

If this sounds like the kind of fashion you’re into

Bwaahahahahahaha. SEO is going to hate this because it makes no sense. But I’ve just thrown out my second rule book. If you weren’t around for the old blog, the last time I threw out a rulebook I built this. This time I drop kicked it out. Boom. I’d rather innovate than copy, hopefully, I’m not a complete idiot and this all works out nicely. So far, I’ve built a business in a few short months. And launched it. So…hold my beer. Wait, was that a ghost?

Bathroom Floor Brilliance: A Late Night Thought on Mental Health and Ingenuity

AI artwork of a woman dreaming about bright ideas; a reflection on mental health and ingenuity

Ok, full disclosure. It’s 00:01. I am sitting on the bathroom floor whilst running a bath trying to finish everything I needed to get done today. This short blog post being the final task. So, with one eye open, I wanted to share this quick story.

Mental Health is still a taboo topic.

More in certain parts than others. I read about an initiative in Africa over my morning coffee, where they are training hairdressers, salon owners and the like in counselling. How to spot domestic violence, depression and what to say or do when people confide.

Brilliant solutions to complex problems.

There are nowhere near enough mental health workers in Africa, I admire this kind of ingenuity. I’m no expert, I read this in passing but thought these are the kinds of things we need to see, not only in Africa, but arguably everywhere there is a need to upskill those already in a position to do something about it. An inspiring idea that so far seems to be working. Pleasant dreams.

Chasing confidence down the rabbit hole.

AI artwork of a multicoloured rabbit inspired by Alice in Wonderland, symbolising creative confidence

Confidence is never a constant companion. It’s like a magical rabbit that appears occasionally and then vanishes, leaving behind the smell of rainbows. Confidence is hard and no one can do it for you.

Self-help or imaginary rabbits?

I was the type of person to read every self-help guru out there. In my fixation I have been down more rabbit holes than I care to admit. Positive affirmations are cute. But they will not change your monthly income. Doing something about it will though.

When I started The Pavement Special, I didn’t put my name up. I didn’t post photos. I had no confidence in what I was doing; because I had no idea where it was going.

I was extremely fed up of thinking about all these ideas that I couldn’t fund. I was sick of thinking that I can only start something when…when I have the money, when I have the right job.

I’m still waiting for those things, if I had continued to wait, there would be no Mongrel anything.

Confidence isn’t always flowing

I am not sitting here the other side of a bank balance that affords me this opportunity, dictating to you. Quite the contrary, I’m sitting here fighting for it. I work 7 days a week.

My husband always says, “You need to chill, you never chill”.

Despite having tons of ideas and projects upcoming and a to do list longer than Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall; I still sit here staring at a blank page for two hours and wonder what the hell I am doing.

If I am doing it right, if I said it right, should I have done that instead, turquoise or amethyst? Confidence isn’t always flowing, and I literally can’t afford for it not to.

That clock doesn’t slow down for anyone, not even a magic rabbit.

When you realise you put your laptop-stand upside down.

My husband might not be wrong.

Case in point; I spent the past few months using my laptop stand upside down. Don’t ask, but yup.  You know that feeling when you realise you are an idiot? 

Rainbow coloured rabbit droppings

While the magical rabbit Confidence is not a mainstay feature. It’s crucial to learn off that rabbit and be your own cheerleader. No one is going to tell you that you are magical, and if they do, well, lucky you. (Now I’m thinking of Aurora, the singer not the borealis, lol)

So, I guess I’m hunting rabbits.

Metaphorically speaking. That’s the only rabbit hole worth playing in. Confidence isn’t “I think my cap is the best in the world”; it’s working to design the best cap in the world. I might not do it, but maybe, that bloody rabbit pops up while I’m working on it.

Chase the work. The rabbit shows up when it wants.