Know Thyself

1.     Know Thyself

I always thought this was a mystical saying. There is some deep shit you have to work out about yourself. Age has taught me the simple meaning — the more you know about your likes and dislikes the easier your life will be.

This is almost impossible to assess when you are younger: you are too busy trying to make other people like you — your audience — or in the case of people like me, falling out with everyone around you. Hahahahahahaha. I fucking really am laughing.

Your audience — friends — give you your reflection — by granting you your praise, or your shame. What social media manipulates.  

I love being with people I love. I could never have worked out who people I love are, if I didn’t know what I love first.

I have always loved myths. Even as a kid. I don’t just love the story. I love trying to work out what they mean. The moral in the story. The shit that will happen to me if I am not careful.

Last week, I cite Orpheus and Eurydice. After I post, I remember it does not end well. I think about what goes wrong. How could it be prevented? Told by Hades and Persephone — who actually adducts Persephone – but we won’t go there now — ‘Do not look back.’ Orpheus can’t resist it. As he passes into the light, he turns round to check. Poof, Eurydice is gone. 

Possibly, these myths, these endings, these morals, are why we can’t believe in a prosperous peaceful life. If it is all going too well, 10-chances-to-one the doctor will diagnose us with cancer in the morning. Well, that’s how my mind works anyway. So, we play it small. I think I do. I think I keep it on a level that no fucking god will look in my direction and think, ‘The cheek of the bitch. Best fuck her shit up fast.’

But this week I have begun to walk with giants.

2.     Stopford Building. MMIW Spinoff

Stopford Building 8-station mind-map mini-installation. Adam's Uni contacts.

·      Adam’s 2 x 8-station mind-maps: 8-photo montage; looped playlist.

·      Divided by freestanding screen.

·      Of: 6mins Intro; 2mins mind-map time-lapse; 2mins group; 2mins exorcism.

·      QR code to Adam's playlist for headphones. Plus a mini website, including project photos; complete 150 mins Creative Manchester panel discussion; 50 mins documentary.

·      Adjacent wall holds extra, contextualising text by Linda; and Adam.

·      Small seating area 2(2 single chairs and a mini table)

·      Links to my website: & this newsletter.

·      I'm hoping it leads to workshops. It is defo bigger exposure. And interestingly, it is the medical building. It holds students studying healing. Modern doctors accept the actual body itself is the best doctor. We have to support it with a nutritious diet both for our body and our mental health.

3.     The Dress. ITROTBH & MMIW Spinoff

I write the raw material. Some captured in The Dress — Lowbrow/Highbrow Reality TV.

A producer edits it into what will make a TV producer sit up. And puts back in good stuff I have edited out.

Another creative adds the spin that I cannot see. Cos even though I’m mouthy, I don’t actually see myself in the incredible light of what I have achieved.

As a collective we have sent it off to their big name contact. No names cos they are still in their day job.

4.     Branding. MMIW Public Evaluation Spinoff

Good morning, ladies. 

I hope you are well. 

I hope you have recovered from last week. 

I hope you both meant what you said about help with marketing. 

I am hoping you want to barter skills. 

I will teach you 12-words and 8-stations. 

You will brand and market me. ( It is both their day jobs.)

If you are interested, let's set a date to meet online. 

Linda xx

One writes back:

I WOULD LOVE TOO!!!!!! 

Waiting to hear back from the other — I know she has a family situation now.   

5.     Social Media. HOME Arches Mother-line Spinoff

I make contact with the person writing the following email through my 17/18.11.25 Mother-line workshops.

'Thank you for your message — and I’m so glad you’ve had this breakthrough about what you truly offer. The way you’ve defined it — a portraitist who draws the subconscious, using tools shaped over 25 years, with myths, philosophy, and a romantic lens — is powerful, magnetic, and truly unique. 

Regarding your question: yes, I can absolutely manage all of the social media for you so that you never need to interact with it. I can handle everything end-to-end — strategy, content creation, design, posting, engagement, consistency, and growth — while you focus entirely on your writing, your art, and your creative evolution.

You wouldn’t need to log in, post, or do anything yourself. You’d simply provide your ideas, themes, or weekly focus (if needed), and I’ll translate them into content that aligns with your new identity and vision.

And yes — I would be more than happy to have a second conversation with you. With your new clarity and brand direction, there is a lot we can build together.

Just let me know your preferred time, and I’ll make myself available.'

Warmly,

This person will be my first employee.

6.     Amanda Frances

 Amanda is not everyone's cup of tea. I first learn about her through her book Rich as Fuck.

I'd just read Linda P Jones' You're Already a Wealthy Heiress! Now Think and Act Like One.

I meet Linda in 2015 while doing online coaching with Selena Soo. Impacting Millions. This enables me to think big enough to excavate the Reno.

Anyway. Linda, who is actually my friend, teaches about hardline dough. I learn loads. I am able to understand and invest in Crypto. I also realise, to do this well I have to love it and absorb the market, like she does. I fucking hate it.

Rich as Fuck is manifesting and getting aligned. I love this shit. Amanda’s voice grates a bit at first.

Feb 2024. I’m listening on Audible. Get real busy. Don't finish it. Get absorbed in the last chapter, do loads of journalling on the plane on the way to perform In the Ruins of the Big House (ITROTBH) at Factory International Nov 2024.

Sept 2025. Rich as Fuck comes back to me as I leave MMIW. I write — MY MUM IS WHITE Is Now a Ghost. It Was Masking My Real Fear When It Was Alive. How money will probably be the last thing I think about on my deathbed. But unusually instead of hiding or shielding myself from it, I walk into my lifelong fear of money. Including writing about it in this newsletter. I do all her free courses. And invest in 2 courses.

I am enjoying myself on her Money Queen Feed bragging and yakking about what I’ve made and how I spent it. So uncharacteristic to the humble British ear. But It is draining my money-shame. And making money a normal conversation.

7.     Orpheus and Eurydice

Last week I write: your object and your associations are the weapons that will keep you safe as you descend into the underworld of your past that isn't dead but creates your hell. Where you will take your soul by its hand and lead it above ground to be your limitless subconscious creative life-partner. 

Right, I’ve just checked with AI. Orpheus is not told he cannot talk to Eurydice. He is told not to look back at her. All they have to do is talk. 'Yes, I’m here.' ‘Are you there?’ 'Yes, I’m here.’ 'We have inches to go — can you see the light?’ ‘Yeah, I can see the light.’

8.     What Does This Mean To You?

Journalling is a wonderful thing. Learned 2002 in The Artist Way: Julia Cameron I recommend you buy yourself a notebook you fancy today. Mine is a moleskin. Since 2006. You might as well make the most of me. Ask yourself, and freestyle write, what does the ghosts in number 7 Orpheus and Eurydice mean to you? Write anything. The first things that come to mind. Just keep writing for 3 pages. It is your pilgrimage to you. It doesn't have to make sense now. But, I promise you, eventually it will.