Even if you miss the moon
You might just end up amongst the stars
Hey friends,
Last night, I decided to go on a bike ride up to the waterfall behind my house. The day before, I’d been there and watched the moon rise over the hill as the sun set behind me. It was pretty magical, but I only had my 50mm lens, and the moon was not-quite-full.
Yesterday was the full moon, and the moonrise was a little bit later. I figured it was a good chance for a do-over, so I grabbed my big lens and set out on my bike, hoping to catch it and get home in time for a call at 5.45 pm.
In theory, everything seemed great. I felt like I’d done my research and come prepared, but I hadn’t factored in how long it would take for the moon to rise over the hills. I ran around, climbing on the rocks and taking other photos, but, knowing I had the call, found myself watching the clock instead of the landscape.
I tried downloading a stargazing app - the one I keep having to delete when I run out of space on my phone from taking too many photos - to see where the moon was and to try to work out when it would rise, but I didn’t have any signal.
So, with one last lament at my poor scheduling, I got back on my bike and hit the trail out.
As I reached the top of another hill, I saw the moon cresting and realised I must have just missed it; like I’d turned my back just as it had risen. By then, though, I was already running late for my call and had to race home.
Initially, I was disappointed. I spent half the ride home beating myself up for not thinking of all the things, like factoring in that it would probably take 40+ minutes for the moon to rise over the hills, and that I actually had all that information already. I knew the moonrise had been at 3.45 pm the day before and I’d taken a photo of it at 4.33 pm.
At the time, though, I was rushed, frustrated, and couldn’t think straight.
But, by the time I got home, I found myself thinking about how nice it was out in the bush. That by taking the lens I never normally take, I got photos I’d never normally get. Sure, they might not have been the ones I was aiming for, but, in the grand scheme of things, that didn’t really matter.
It made me think about how often I’ve gone out with a certain goal, and even when I haven’t reached it, it’s led to all sorts of other great adventures - some of which have been even better than the original quest I had in mind.
For example, in 2013, I left the UK with a one-way ticket to New Zealand via Sri Lanka, and, after a couple of weeks, ended up cancelling the next leg.
Twelve years on, I still haven’t been to New Zealand.
Or how I arrived in Australia six years ago, with a plan to go on a road trip with some friends, work for a few months, and hit the road again. Now I have a cat, a partner, and my citizenship test at the end of the month.
When it comes to adventures, I can see the value in all of it; the good and the bad. The lessons learned, the lemons, and the lemonade.
When it comes to work, though, it’s a totally different story. Especially after I just got rejected from a job I applied for and thought I’d be perfect for (no - it wasn’t the writing workshops, fortunately! That’s all still in motion.)
In all honesty, that job probably wasn’t the best fit, but it still felt like a setback. Like, instead of seeing how far I’ve come, all I can see is how far I am from where I want to be - even though I’m the one who keeps moving the goalposts.
Still, yesterday’s escapades and a chat with a friend gave me a much-needed reframe. They helped me to see the value in all of it - the journey, the destinations, and the side quests - and how they’ve all played their part in getting me where I am today.
Nearly 15 years ago, when I walked into a travel agency with a paper CV, I knew I didn’t want to be a travel agent forever. I just wanted a job, and I loved travel, so it seemed like a good fit.
A few years later, when I started my freelance career as a tourism business consultant, graphic designer, and artist on a beach in Cambodia, I never thought any of them would be forever. They just helped show me what was possible - and taught me a hell of a lot about running a business.
Travel writing felt different, though - partly because I dreamed of doing it for so long, and partly because I did it for so long that it became a part of my identity.
Letting go of the “travel” part of the writer label has been tough; a shedding of skin that I’ve long outgrown but still feel comfortable in. It’s an easy mask to wear. One that makes me feel cool and connected to the old version of me. One that slips off the tongue easier than “writer”, and leads to far fewer questions.
Owning the word “writer” feels tougher, somehow. It’s far vaguer, and yet also encompasses so much more. The destination seems far less clear.
If I zoom out, though, it starts to make a lot more sense.
Being a travel writer taught me to see the power of stories and how to hone my writing and pitching abilities. Losing my mum to Alzheimer’s showed me the value in helping others to see the beauty and value in their stories, too, which led me to start running writing workshops.
Those workshops led to this newsletter.
This newsletter led to 1:1 creative mentoring.
That led me to start running writing circles.
Which led to me starting my creative community.
Sure, I may not be where I thought I’d be. But looking back at everything I’ve done so far definitely helps me appreciate where I’ve ended up. Like I went out to shoot the moon, but I’ve ended up amongst the stars - man, I miss playing Hearts.
What about you?
Have you ever set out chasing one thing and ended up somewhere totally different? Where did you end up? What did it teach you?
I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to hit reply, or let me know in the comments.
And, if like me, you’ve been beating yourself up for not being “there” yet, maybe this can be a reminder that no journey is ever wasted. That even if/when you miss the moon, there’s always beauty to be found in the ride.
Maybe it'll even lead to even better places.
All my love,
Cassie x
PS: Our next Lemonade Factory community co-writing call is next Thursday at 10am BST. Deets here.
And, if you like my writing and want to support me - or find out how I can support you - you can:
Join me for a 1:1 creative mentoring call where we can talk about all of this and more.
Support me and join the community by signing up for a free or paid subscription or buying me a coffee.
Like this post, leave a comment, and/or share it with a friend.
Follow me on Instagram.