Hello everyone,

I’m at Melbourne Airport waiting to board a flight to China for the Shanghai Art Book Fair. A new fair and a new country for book selling for me.

I’m not sure what my sales will be like, as I’ve never traveled to China for this reason, but I’m hoping for at least $4000AUD gross!

For me, it has been a long time since I traveled last - over 6 months. Since 2021 I’ve more or less traveled every few months for a book fair, an outback trip or something else. Since the baby has arrived, obviously, that’s stopped.

I’ve found it funny that MANY people have reacted almost scared that I’m traveling for 5 days. To put you at ease my partner has her parents staying with her and a friendship group larger than an olympic village, and approved the trip.

I’ve found, more and more, since becoming a parent, that the passive pressure to live a certain way has gotten a lot more noticeable. Changes from how most Australian parents live (two jobs, day care, not much travel, very stable) is often met with confusion, raised eyebrows or anxiety. Yet 12 months ago I didn’t feel anyone else’s worries when I’d talk about my life. I have to say that it’s not a welcome change. As much as becoming a parent has given me a new social playing field with many older friends and family, there’s also this constant 'just you wait!’ any time I mention a holiday, travel or even laundry.

A part of me is scared that I’ll be lonely in a way I’ve not been before. I imagine getting a picture of the baby and feeling so left out. At the same time, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also excited about the prospect of being able to sling books and focus just on business stuff. A hotel room, a laptop and some work, it sounds so shit when I type it out but I am relishing the sort of monk mode that has been hard to find with a baby.

With that aside, it’s also a month where I’m saying goodbye to workshops. Over the last few years, I’ve really enjoyed teaching workshops, but now I’m finding myself not enjoying it as much, selling them is getting more effortful and, frankly, I’d rather have free weekends to see friends and family. I’m moving out of my studio too. I’ve been there perhaps 10 days this year and it just seems pointless to pay for a space I don’t use.

Moving into a studio was a bit of an experiment. I certainly met a lot of people, and the space allowed me to teach more, which brought in good cashflow last year. At the same time, the studio is in an OLD building where the owners aren’t interested in any upkeep. It’s too hot, too cold, too windy and constantly dusty. So as much as making more friends with other arts business owners, and the cafe owner nearby, I’ve been ready to move on for a while.

I like doing workshops somewhere new - in a city I’m traveling to or with a festival - those are very energising and exciting in a way that a regular scheduled class isn’t always. Sometimes the same work can feel quite different, can’t it?

I’m also saying a new hello to my old job, where my old boss has contracted me for a few days of well paid work this month. A nice little thing that’s come together.

Finally, I’m saying hello, at the end of June, to a new financial year. A new financial year means more accuracy with money, better accounting, renewed goals and energy. I’m looking forward to sharing some insights and goals with you all in early July.

Interestingly, I read an article that Australians were happier during the COVID pandemic as cost of living dropped and people spent more. That is the first article I’ve read that sort of had a nostalgia for COVID. Crazy, isn’t it? To imagine the daily anxiety, crippling lack of movement and complete unknowns are now something people are yearning for, just because work was secure. Though I guess with no AI crap, government securing work, and a bit more of a community vibe things weren’t all bad. Still, I’m not sure I’m ready to bring back lockdowns.

Matt