WHAT’S POWERING ME AT THIS TIME OF YEAR
As the year winds down, I’ve been doing a bit of quiet reflecting on what a huge year it’s been for Mannpower.
New clients, new projects, a new website, speaking gigs, political campaigns, collaborations, a million Canva files, a Google Drive bursting at the seams…and a never-ending to-do list that I’m genuinely grateful for.
Working for myself in this season of my life feels like equal parts freedom and firehose. I’m stretched, I’m energised, I’m exhausted, I’m proud. There’s so much sentimentality I could slip into here but I don’t have the luxury of waxing lyrical right now.
I’ve got shit to do.
So instead, here’s what’s actually keeping me going at the pointy end of the year. Part practical, part emotional, and all of it slightly unhinged:
1. My Non-Negotiable Toolkit (Instagram, Edits, ChatGPT, Xero, Google Drive)
The holy quintet. The things that keep the wheels turning even when I’m running on fumes. Google Drive for feigning organisation, Instagram for connection, Edits for ease, ChatGPT for brainpower on tap, and Xero for keeping me vaguely financially responsible.
2. Coffee
The first pillar of my personality and the reason anything gets done before 10am. Some days it’s breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.
3. Wine
The second pillar of my personality and the reason I’m able to both decompress and (occasionally) celebrate the wins.
4. My Family
The chaos, the patience, the grounding, the hugs, and the perspective shift I didn’t know I needed at exactly the right moment.
5. Big Brother Live Stream
Zero thoughts. Just vibes.
6. Sleep (When It Happens)
The closest thing I have to a wellness routine right now.
7. Clients & Community
The check-ins, the referrals, the shared meltdowns, and the “you’ve got this” texts from friends both near and afar.
I’d wrap this up with something profound, but I’ve got 47 tabs open, none of them are the right one and I can't figure out where the music's coming from.
So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to stare at my inbox until inspiration strikes or my coffee wears off - whichever happens first 😉
This piece first appeared in Excessive Consumption - a weekly dispatch on culture, branding, politics and whatever other modern internet brain rot the algorithm has emotionally assigned me that week.
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