Reading · Editions by Natalie Walton

Edition No. 18

This time last year I made a radical decision.

It hadn’t been on my vision board (didn’t have one, although I do now) and it wasn’t in my business plan.

It came out of almost nowhere.

And, yet, it was creeping up on me in slow and subtle ways for months.

I decided to Let Go… of almost everything.

I closed my successful courses business, decided to sell my beautiful home, downsize to a house one-third the size, and simplify my business.

To provide some context, my courses business had been supporting my family of six for the past seven years. Our home was a two-acre property in the hills above Byron Bay. I had a small but dedicated and wonderful team that was helping me grow my business.

Even though everything looked good on paper, my life was increasingly feeling out of alignment.

Let me explain…

Maybe it was because we were in the Year of the Snake (and all the shedding that comes with that), maybe because I was about to turn 50, maybe because my body was changing, maybe because my children were growing up and I wanted to hold onto the precious last years of their childhood…

There were many reasons inching me towards the decision to make a big change in my life.

But when it came down to it, I just knew deep down within that something needed to change.

I had a whisper within that was getting louder. I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Knowing it’s time to make change, and embracing it are two entirely different scenarios.

Was I being foolish?

Would I regret the decision?

Was I un-doing all the hard work and hours I’d put into my business for so many years?

Maybe… and maybe there was a greater opportunity — one that I couldn’t overlook.

One of the biggest reasons to simplify my life was to create more space, and more capacity for my children.

When they were younger, they were happy to play with a basket of blocks at my feet while I packed orders, or styled corners of our home for my shop and other ventures.

Now, they are growing up fast (we have an adult child now, at the age of 18, as well as an almost 15yo, 13yo and 10yo), and they have an array of interests: from coding AI to performing in the theatre, competing in club and representational soccer competitions, and playing tennis.

I will never regret taking this time to be with them — driving them to tournaments, watching them perform, engaging in deep (and sometimes difficult) conversations, taking them to their after-school jobs, watching lots of soccer, and playing tennis.

I have approached this chapter in my life with an unusual sense of calm and curiosity. Usually, I’m in a hurry to do something, be somewhere, achieve something.

And while I still have dreams and ambitions, I’m allowing them to unfold at a slower pace in the belief that there is enough time. It will happen, when it’s meant to.

Creating more white space in my daily life has also opened the door to engage in more creative work.

I’ve started writing a new book, a little something different from past projects. At this stage, I’m allowing it to take the lead.

I’ve also had more capacity to take on design work. Consults have blossomed into design development projects. And I’ve also mentored liked-minded creative women who want to build their own aligned businesses.

Alongside this work has been a regular cadence of connecting and sharing with a special group of women inside my program for creative business owners.

My days look and feel significantly different to what they did a year ago. I am working less, but creating more. I have more agency over my time. I feel more connected to my local community, and have forged deeper friendships. And, most importantly for me in this season, I am immersed in the joys of family life, and motherhood.

That is not to say I am losing myself. No, instead I feel like I becoming who I am meant to be.

I’ve realised that it’s okay not to have all the answers, all the time.

The more space we create in our lives, the more we have capacity for new opportunities.

Nothing is forever, and to cherish each season.

I reached out on Instagram Stories last week to see if you had any questions about this journey. I have done my best to answer them, below. If you have a question that I haven’t covered, please click on the “Leave a comment” button, and I’ll get back to you shortly.

What prompted the change?
It wasn’t just one thing, or one event, but a series of signs (and feelings) that I wanted to change direction. A huge part of it was realising that my children were in the final chapter of their childhood. My eldest son turned 18 this year, and in his last year of high school. He will most likely leave home next year. I want to be present, and enjoy this time with them before they go on to forge their own lives, on their own terms.

Any regrets?
Absolutely not. I our previous home dearly. It was a special place but I feel a sense of gratitude, rather than regret. We were so fortunate to be able to live in such a beautiful home for so many years. We created many special memories there. But our current home feels just right for this chapter of our lives.

How do you genuinely feel now you have to those things go?
Honestly, I feel so much lighter. I feel calmer. I feel that I have capacity to pursue new ideas, and new projects. Nothing is forever.

Do you miss having land?
It was such a beautiful experience to have all that space. But it’s also a big responsibility. It takes a lot of time and care. I don’t miss that part.

Are you enjoying the downsize?
Yes, I’m enjoying the lessons it’s teaching me. I have always tried to live simply, but I didn’t quite realise how much stuff we have. It has been a slow process to let go of many things, mainly because I have such little spare time on the weekends. And also because I am choosing deliberately what we keep, what we donate, what we recycle. It’s quite a process. But I’m getting there.

Will you be writing another book on design?
I would love to, however, at the moment I’ve started a different type of book, and feel pulled to see where it leads me. It’s a topic that has always been close to my heart, and hope it resonates with others too.

Dear Reader: If you have any questions about what this year has looked like, please leave a comment and I look forward to sharing more below.

A Year of Letting Go

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