I've deleted the introduction to this piece a good seven times, taking a different perspective with each rewrite. I'm not sure where to start, and this could be down to the fact I'm not sure of the purpose of this series or that I've just got too much going on to choose a focal point.
I'm doing okay. 2023 is okay. I've just got back from a week stint in Egypt followed by a week in Marrakesh and, to be honest, I'm feeling enlightened, motivated and confident. It's strange what travel can do for your inspiration and tenacity. I've come away from the two trips with the motivation I've been searching for. I aimed to throw myself into this year, both personally and professionally. On the whole, I'd say I've done this albeit only to a certain degree. My determination began to falter leading up to my travels, which is why these two trips came at an ideal time for me.
Visiting the Yves Saint Laurent museum and the Jardim Majorelle in Marrakesh was a memory I'll cherish forever. I can't remember the last time I left a place feeling more inspired, more confident and more content in myself and my life than when I walked out of there. The colour, the creativity and the style were truly magical to witness. I'm not into high-end, luxury fashion but Yves Saint Laurent is a designer and a brand I'll admire forever. I walked away from the museum with a different outlook on my own work and a new sense of purpose for what I aim to achieve in my life. I often battle with the looming pressures of social media and what success is determined as nowadays, which ultimately makes me want to pack up my laptop and my notepad and throw them into the canal across from my flat and never return to writing, art and creativity ever again. But getting back from Marrakesh, that's different now. I've altered my mindset. I've embraced art at its core. The expression, the storytelling, the meaning. And with that, I am pushing forward with my work, mainly for me. Yes, I'd love for people to read and learn from it but I need to create for myself first.
Marrakesh was a beautiful, enchanting experience that opened my eyes to a part of the world and a culture I've never experienced first-hand before. A place that's entirely different to the norm of my everyday life but one I engrossed myself in anyways. From the Souks and the Medina to the taxi driver we had throughout, Marrakesh was, and will continue to be, a source of enthusiasm and encouragement for me moving forward. Saint-Laurent said "this city taught me colour", and he wasn't wrong. Throughout the place, from the buildings to the tiles to the skies, colour is rich and alive. It's elegant yet full of character. It really is magnificent.
I'm pushing myself to get my regular podcast going, too. With a packed out schedule, it's hard to find time to record but the discussions I've had on the limited number of episodes we've done have not only been fascinating but also excellent for my mental well-being. I joked on the last episode that it was basically a therapy session but all of the jokes aside, that's exactly what it can be at times. Now my hectic March schedule is out of the way, I'm looking at getting back behind the microphone and inviting even more people on for a chat.
I've bought myself a journal, too. An actual, in-person notebook, with a pen. I plan to carry it around, probably tucked into my French worker's jacket pocket, and write in it every day, whether it be a short entry or multiple pages. I also aim to cut out the rewatching of series and the YouTube binges and replace them with reading, writing and self-care in order to better myself as a person and a professional. I plan to grow herbs in my garden that I can use for cooking. I plan to make my own Limoncello. I plan to regularly make pasta.
In conclusion, the goals I set myself in #1 of this series are still ongoing and my endeavours in North Africa have not only woken them up from their nap but also given them a whole new sense of meaning. Here's to Yves Saint Laurent for what he achieved in the fashion world and here's to the taxi driver in Marrakesh, who not only showed me what true kindness is but also that the connections you make with people should always be the most important thing in your mind.
