The Calm Before...The Move
And What's Next?
Itās still dark out as I write this. One of those quiet, in-between moments when the world hasnāt quite woken up, but my mind has been wide awake for hours.
Maybe itās nerves. Maybe itās adrenaline. Maybe itās Maybelline.
Most likely, itās just because Iām moving next Tuesday.
As many of you know, this move has been in the works for over two months. Thank you for your patience and for giving me the space to prepare. An extra big thank you to all who reached out and shared your own stories of moving and downsizing.
Itās meant more than youāll ever know.
Since deciding to move, Iāve made countless lists, faced dozens of decisions, and had many moments of reflection. Reality checks tooā¦with dears, nears, and/or queers.
Change is hard, but for me, at this point in my life, itās also necessary. All the planning and preparation have led to this calm moment. A few days before āshowtime.ā And as the old saying goes, the show must go on.
By this time next week, the move will be behind me. Iāll be waking up in a new space, still unpacking at the ānewā place while wrapping things up at the āoldā one.
Iāve called this rental house āhomeā for twelve years. Twelve years! Thatās a long time to live anywhere, and itās not lost on me just how much life has unfolded within these walls since 2013.
Fingers crossed, once Iāve paid the movers, my budget will allow for a professional cleaning. After twelve years, I think the place deserves it.
Once the dust settlesāliterally and figurativelyāIām looking forward to rediscovering my rhythm. My creative work has taken a bit of a backseat as Iāve prepared for this next chapter. But Iām eager to dive back in. Iāve missed the daily practice of creating and curating.
Substack and YouTube have both felt the effects of my attention being elsewhere. I hope to see them bounce back soon. Iāll be editing videos and figuring out new and exciting ways to spread my wings as a content creator.
Iāll also be open to freelancing again, to shifting directions, to whatever comes my way. Flexibility and realism are the name of the game right now.
Like all independent, self-employed folk, the struggle can be (mighty) real.
So itās time to make it work. One step at a time.
For now, itās still dark. Thereās still plenty of packing to do and loose ends to tie up. But Iām deeply grateful for the love and support Iāve received from this community. Thank you.
Keep calm and carry on!
Clint šāļø
COLLIDE PRESS is a reader-supported publication.
Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or patron.
Big thanks to all whoāve subscribed and/or supported!
FYC = RECOMMENDED SUBSTACKS
BOYSLUT // Coach Kevin Martin // Ford Knows Books // Gay Buffet // Good Queer News // Okay McKay // PalCinema, Television, & Music // Qstack // Queer Love Project // Sitting Queerly // That Trans Friendā¦ // The Caftan Chronicles // Undividing with Karl Dunn
ON THIS DAY = JULY 11
BIRTHDAYS
1834 = James Abbott McNeill Whistler = American-English painter and illustrator
1895 = Dorothy Wilde = English writer and Oscar Wildeās niece š
1899 = E. B. White = American essayist and journalist
1920 = Yul Brynner = Russian actor and dancer š
1931 = Tab Hunter = American actor, singer, and author š
1934 = Giorgio Armani = Italian fashion designer š
1943 = Tom Holland = American actor, director, and screenwriter
1946 = Jack Wrangler = American adult actor and filmmaker š
1946 = Vito Russo = American activist and author š
1952 = Stephen Lang = American actor and playwright
1959 = Richie Sambora = American singer-songwriter
1959 = Suzanne Vega = American singer-songwriter
1968 = Esera Tuaolo = American professional football player š
1971 = Leisha Hailey = American actor and musician š
1972 = Michael Rosenbaum = American actor
1990 = Connor Paolo = American actor
EVENTS
1922 = The Hollywood Bowl opens.
1960 = To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published, in the US.
1962 = First transatlantic satellite television transmission.
1966 = The Newlywed Game premieres on ABC.
HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES
PORTRAIT + QUOTES OF THE DAY
āCreative work gives you an almost indissoluble connection with people.ā
Giorgio Armani
āMy work has taught me to pay great respects towards human beings.ā
Giorgio Armani
Bon Courage!!
Smoothly, calmly. The time is right, the move is right. Flow like a river, my dear, flow.