So, a year ago today I officially launched Nocturnal Mind. It had been a work-in-progress for a while before then, actually starting out its life as a single page website where I could post work for a photography class I was taking. Since then, its transformation has been a dramatic one–and every day this tiny corner of the internet continues to grow and change, little by little.
Some things I hadn’t expected: Céilidh and Callum. Those two began as a private joke with myself while I attempted to separate my various artistic personalities; I didn’t want to remain limited to YA fantasy fiction when I also had plans for children’s books, graphic novels, and screenplays fluttering around the back of my mind–as well as an unshakeable attachment to my old acting days and a newfound desire to occasionally try my hand at journalism. The downsides of giving myself a Night Crew to work off of? Well, oftentimes I do feel like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with the workload of a whole team behind me. The upsides? They’ve given me a lot of laughs over this year, as well as a newfound joy in something I never imagined myself doing and, at first, had serious doubts about: posting videos on YouTube.
Kyle Asher, © 2020
Kyle Asher, © 2020
Things I’ve learned in my first year as an entrepreneur in the making? Breaks are important. Not just to relieve stress, but also to spark your creativity and keep it healthy. All work and no play… drives the Night Crew crazy. (Not that they weren’t a little crazy to begin with). Also, scheduling is incredibly handy. I don’t know if I just lucked out or if I’m better at planning than I originally thought, but all the color-coding and designated days on my calendar have actually made my work schedule pretty well-balanced, and even fun (But I also leave room for flexibility–see first lesson learned). I’ve also learned that editing videos is an art form in and of itself, and one that I’m still working on mastering!
But probably the most important thing I’m still learning is how to use my strengths to my advantage. And in particular, I’m learning how to turn what I once thought were weaknesses into strengths. For most of my life, I have lived inside of my head. As I’ve come to learn, it’s just who I am… but it always made things a little lonely for me, even when I was around other people. And I used to think writing was the best–and only–way to truly express myself. But it turns out many new opportunities have opened up for me, not simply by “writing,” but by bringing even a little bit of the world inside of my head to the outside, and sharing it with others.
And in the end, that’s what Nocturnal Mind has always been about for me: finding a place where my thoughts, my feelings, my creativity, can run rampant. And it’s something I hope my audience can learn from as well 😄
Happy Birthday, Nocturnal Mind! Here’s to another year of fun, of learning, and of creativity 🎉
With much love,
The Night Crew
C.M., C.O., C.Q.
