Hey Subscriber First Name

I’m excited to be back at my desk writing this after a one-week interlude. I hope you’ve had a good fortnight.

So here we are. It’s September and today is my birthday. Maybe it’s the Dartmoor air still lingering in my lungs, maybe it’s that back-to-school energy or maybe it’s simply stepping into my 43rd rotation around the sun but I’m feeling reflective.

I’ve been reading a wonderful book called ‘Stars Aligned’ by Prue Nichols which reframes birthdays. Each year isn’t just a marker of time but a beginning, a new chapter. Seen this way, today feels less like an anniversary and more like my New Year’s Day, the start of another orbit around the sun.

If I’m honest, my relationship with birthdays has always been complicated. When I was 17, my mum died suddenly just two months after my birthday. She was only 49 which felt old when I was young but not so much now.

Growing up, my mum always poured so much love and effort into my birthday so when she was gone, the day took on a different shape.

In the years that followed, birthdays often carried more sadness than joy. I was grateful for the love and care of my wife and kids but I know I sometimes felt distant, almost going through the motions.

But good news, this year feels very different. Years of inner work, healing, holistic training and deep connections with incredible people have brought me to a new place. I now feel joy and hope flowing more freely, aligned with the wisdom of nature. Perhaps that’s why I’m so energised about launching The Natural Network (more on that below).

Today, I’m genuinely celebrating. My inner child is grinning ear to ear as we’re going go-karting as a family and I’ve got a new (to me) drone waiting to be flown.

I like to think my mum would be proud of where I’ve got to. I’ve tried to live in alignment with her hippy, feminist and free-thinking values.

And I’d like to share something deeply personal with you, the last birthday card I ever received from her.

Inside is a printed poem, but also a handwritten note. She had no idea she would pass away two months later and yet the message she left me, to live a life filled with love has guided me ever since. I hope the poem resonates for you too.

So here we are…

So now that we’ve looked back, it feels right to turn forwards. I’m no astrologer but I’ve been drawn to the idea of annual profections. At its root, the Latin word profectio means ‘progression’ or ‘moving forwards’. I love that thought, that each year offers a natural rhythm, an invitation to step into change.

Life is precious and we never quite know what’s around the corner. That’s why I’m focused on following my heart.

So what do I hope for in this next chapter?

One of the biggest projects I’ve been bringing to life is The Natural Network. I shared it in my launch email last week and the feedback has been great so it feels like this idea is already finding its people.

At its heart, The Natural Network is about reconnecting. Many of the challenges we face today stem from forgetting our bond with nature, with each other and with ourselves. These gatherings are designed to help us restore that connection and spark pragmatic solutions grounded in deep wisdom.

Too often, we fall into the trap of believing things will improve later - ‘once I get through this busy period’ or ‘once I make it to my holiday’. But that cycle leaves us drained, burnt out and out of sync with what truly matters.

Most modern business prioritises speed and efficiency over wisdom and effectiveness. In our rush to progress, we’ve often forgotten why we started in the first place.

But nature doesn’t rush and everything is achieved. That’s the spirit I’m bringing into this work - achievement rooted in compassion, care and intention.

If this resonates, I’d love you to join us.

Our first event, Harvesting Wisdom, takes place on Friday 26th September on a regenerative farm. It’s a half-day designed for professional development and inner reflection, timed with the Autumn Equinox - a natural moment of balance, renewal and preparation for the months ahead.

There are still a few tickets available and if you’d like to be part of the founding circle, this is your chance to step in early. Momentum is already building for our November gathering so now is a great time to join us at the beginning.

Thank you for being here with me this week.

I hope it hasn’t felt too self-indulgent, it felt important to share my journey of reclaiming my birthday and using it as an inflection point for the year ahead.

In keeping with tradition, I’d like to leave you with a reflection for the week to carry with you until next time:

"What would I most like to achieve in the next year? What could I do this week to take the first step towards that?"

As always, with compassion and curiosity
Nick

Well that’s it for another week. Boo!

But we don’t have to stop there. Hurrah!

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