The power in being all alone

As you might have noticed, last week I took a break from this newsletter and I planned to write about how we all need some time to rest and recharge. And this is true, and I was supposed to write about it…

Until yesterday morning, when I was hit with an unexpected expense.

This sent me into panic as I imagined my savings dwindling. Of course, it was an exaggeration, but I noticed that along with the panic, I felt a sense of energy and urgency that I had been lacking in the last few months I’d spent living in my peaceful, cozy village.

Suddenly, I felt like the world was out to get me and my only response would be to put pen to paper and start making actual steps, rather than getting stuck in a planning circle.

This reminded me of the days of being a student in the UK, when I was often faced with large bills or employment uncertainty. And how, amindst the panic, I would feel a strange sense or power.

🚨 You’re on your own kid 😱

Living alone in a foreign country can be scary. Apart from the loneliness and anxiety that your family and loved ones are thousands of kilometres away, there is the real worry of dwindling finances, paying rent and depending on an unreliable part-time job to stay afloat.

So when your finances get an unexpected hit, this is a real cause for panic.

At the same time, I remember getting a rush to hunt for a solution, which pushed me to make that call, connect with that person, ask for that recommendation, and move the needle forward.

When you are alone, you need to get results. This is a powerful (and slightly terrifying) motivator that is not as strong when you move back to your home country and have all the safety nets around you.

My lesson would be to not get discouraged by unpleasant surprises - instead, see them as wake-up calls to do what you have been avoiding - or to seek new solutions to your problems.

But more importantly - don’t wait for that panicked moment to get yourself into gear! You can start today, and you will have a head start when the bad news comes knocking on your door. Because sooner or later, it will come.

📚 Shelf Shocks 💥

1.Politics: A Survivor’s Guide: How to Stay Engaged without Getting Enraged by Rafael Behr

Rafael Behr is a political columnist whose beginner-friendly guide to the modern political landscape outlines the many forces and actors that turn politics into the wild reality show we see today.

He looks at politics through the unique lens of someone who has reported on the topic both in Eastern Europe and the UK, drawing stark comparisons and similarities between the two seemingly polar worlds, which are undermined by similar problems. Most importantly, he does this analysis with lots of wit and personal touches which will keep you hooked, making this an enjoyable book on politics (which sounds like quite the oxymoron!).

🎧 Summary

2. Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David

Do you want to become a mind-reader and predict the future? According to Patrick Bet-David, learning to think 5 moves ahead can feel like you have those superpowers.

The quiet summer is a good period for reflection, and his influential book will help you understand yourself, define your skills, set the right goals and use the right tactics, helping you map out what you need to do next.

🎧 Summary

3. Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century by Simon Kuper

As summer is in full bloom, what better time to talk about the beautiful city of Paris? The French capital has long since outgrown its romantic image of the Eiffel Tower and an endless alley of cafes and croissants - the Paris of today is a multicultural metropolis of global significance, which has weathered challenges like terrorist attacks and the siege of the gilets jaunes.

Keen-eyed journalist Simon Kuper writes about his experiences in the city and shares how it has changed and turned into a fantastical place, so diverse, it almost feels… impossible.

🎧 Summary

Fun Links ⏰ ❗️

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You've reached the end of my newsletter. Hooray! If you’d like to see more of my work, you can GET MY BOOK Write Better: A Simple Guide to Better Business Writing or connect with me on LinkedIn for more fun and educational content.

If you have any comments or would like to share what you enjoyed the most, feel free to get in touch! See you in two weeks!