A New Chapter: Why I Took a Step Back and What’s Next for The Slow Wave
A personal update on The Slow Wave’s journey and future direction. Discover new topics, plans for deeper content, and what’s next for the blog.
Introduction: Where I’ve Been
To everyone who has been following The Slow Wave, thank you for your patience and support. It’s been a while since my last post, and I feel it’s time to be transparent about where I’ve been, why I stepped back, and what you can expect moving forward.
Life has been, for lack of a better word, intense. Between managing personal challenges, dealing with a demanding workload, and diving into creative projects, I found myself stretched too thin. One of the most significant commitments has been working on several musical collaborations, including Zacz’s debut album, set to release later in 2025. This has been an exciting yet time-consuming journey, and I’ve poured much of my energy into ensuring it’s something truly special.
But in the process, I realised something: I’d lost touch with the very principles The Slow Wave was built on—mindfulness, intentional living, and self-improvement. This blog exists to inspire not just others, but also myself, to live with purpose. It’s time to return to that mission, re-energised and refocused.
Zacz’s Debut Album: A Labour of Love
In May 2022, I discovered and began working closely with my friend and artist Zacz. Together, we released two debut songs: Heartbreaker and Don’t Wanna Fall In Lxve. These tracks showcased Zacz’s immense talent and reaffirmed my belief in his potential as a musical powerhouse. However, we eventually decided to remove these songs to focus on something much bigger: a studio album that truly captures his story and artistry.
This album has been in production for over a year and is now nearing completion, with only two songs left to polish. It is estimated to drop in mid to late 2025. Producing such a high-quality project has been a monumental effort, requiring meticulous attention to detail in beats, mixing, mastering, and overall production.
The journey has not been without its challenges. High-quality production demands costly tools, and plugins alone can range anywhere from £100 to £2,000. As I’ve been fronting the costs for this project, the financial strain, combined with the mental pressure to deliver excellence, has been significant. Despite these obstacles, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and can’t wait to share it with the world.
What Helped Me Through It
One book that truly resonated with me during this period was The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. He writes, “The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He gets down to work.” These words helped me reframe the financial and emotional challenges not as obstacles but as part of the process. They reminded me to focus on progress over perfection, a lesson that extends far beyond music.
Navigating Other Ventures
Some of you may not know, but beyond music, I manage several other ventures that have required significant time and focus.
- Promotional Work:
- I’ve worked closely with brands to help them grow their social presence, including a company that specialised in Jewellery. Starting in 2021, I partnered with them to promote their newly launched store, which eventually led to their expansion into two additional physical locations in the UK. While I deeply value the friendships formed through this collaboration, miscommunications and unresolved financial matters led me to step away from the partnership. This was a difficult decision but necessary for my own peace of mind and professional integrity.
- In this situation, Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less provided valuable guidance. He writes, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” These words reminded me of the importance of setting boundaries and focusing on what truly aligns with my goals.
- Blockthenoise: A Clothing Brand:
- My clothing brand, blockthenoise., encourages individuals to break societal norms and embrace their true selves. This brand evolved from a previous venture, NYXDROPS, which was rebranded as 5attire before finally transitioning into blockthenoise. Despite positive results and growth, the journey hasn’t been easy. Balancing the brand’s operations, managing creative direction, and addressing financial pressures have been both rewarding and taxing.
- Life’s General Challenges:
- Life outside of work has also been eventful. I’m currently in the process of finalising the purchase of my second home, a milestone I’m incredibly excited about but one that comes with its own set of stresses. Balancing romantic relationships and personal commitments has further added to the juggling act. Finding harmony between work, passion projects, and personal life has been an ongoing challenge, but one I’m committed to navigating with intention.
- Emily Nagoski’s Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle offered profound insights during this period. “You are not responsible for completing the stress cycle, but you are responsible for your own well-being,” she writes. This quote encouraged me to approach challenges with compassion and to prioritise rest and recovery as part of the process.
Rediscovering Passion for Blogging
During my time away, I revisited Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work!, where he advises, “Think process, not product. Share your journey.” This reminded me that The Slow Wave is about authenticity, not perfection. It’s a space to reflect, connect, and grow—not only for my readers but also for myself.
Similarly, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear provided a much-needed boost. “You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures,” she writes. Her words encouraged me to embrace the ebb and flow of creativity and to view blogging as a journey rather than a destination.
Re-aligning The Slow Wave’s Mission
When I started The Slow Wave, the goal was to create a space for mindfulness, personal growth, and intentional living. While these pillars remain central, I’ve decided to expand the blog’s focus to include new areas of interest:
- Finance and Investing:
- I’ll share insights on mindful money management, building financial resilience, and using investments as a tool for intentional living.
- Technology:
- Exploring how technology can enhance creativity and productivity without overwhelming our lives.
These additions reflect my evolving interests and aim to provide readers with even more value and actionable insights.
What’s Next for the Blog
Moving forward, you can expect:
- Deeper Content:
- Blogs will be more comprehensive, featuring real-world examples, case studies, and actionable takeaways. The goal is to create posts that are not just informative but transformative.
- A Balanced Approach:
- Content will continue to explore mindfulness, personal growth, and wellness while weaving in topics like finance and technology.
- Consistency:
- While posts may take longer to produce, they will be intentional and worth the wait.
- Community Engagement:
- I want this blog to feel like a conversation. Share your thoughts, challenges, and successes—let’s grow together.
Join the Wave
Thank you for being part of The Slow Wave. Whether you’re here for insights on mindfulness, tips on managing finances, or simply to find a moment of calm, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s navigate this journey of growth and intentional living together.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to The Tide Report for updates, exclusive content, and more. Your support means the world to me, and I’m excited to embark on this new chapter with you.
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