Hey,

In about two weeks, it’ll be exactly 10 years ago that I started university.

My parents dropped me off at St George’s Hall in Reading, we unloaded the car, walked around, and hugged warmly and deeply. I watched them drive off as my heart skittered and my independent life began.

I was an excited, baby-faced, incessantly stoned kid. I thought I had it all figured out.

We spent last weekend with friends—found on the bottom floor of Oakhurst building in September 2012 and nurtured ever since—in Bedford. (We've gleefully and gladly been joined by others since then.)

We were celebrating a one-year wedding anniversary, while others have just bought houses and recently got married. There was a baby there, for Christ’s sake! I’m not even sure what I’ve got to say about it all, to be honest. My heart feels full to bursting. My brain, a little, too.

We’re 10 years on from the day we all blushingly and excitedly introduced ourselves and remarked upon how grown up we are. So much has happened in that decade. Partners, jobs, friends, hospital stays, family members, weddings, homes, holidays, funerals, dreams, fears have all come and gone. Yet there we all were, gathered around the table and laughing like it was 2012.

That naïve 18-year-old had it all figured out. A decade later, I can only smile at how much he didn’t know.

What have I got to realise in the next decade? Which sureties will crumble in that time? What unknown, unseen, and unexpected forces will affect us and where will they move us?

Time is a funny thing. Life is even funnier—I’m glad I’m watching it unfold and I'm grateful for the people in it.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll be brewing up some of Cupsmith’s Breakfast Blend. Look, I know there’s a fatal flaw in all this. It’s the afternoon. But fuck it, if we’re in the business of slowing down, who’s to say breakfast can’t be enjoyed a little later in the day?

I’m drinking this particular coffee courtesy of subscriber, newly established copywriter, and friend Alex Djain. I gave Alex some advice about getting started as a freelancer a while back and, when we finally got to meet at the weekend (Alex is the cousin of one of my aforementioned uni friends!), he came bearing a bag of coffee as a thank you.

Totally unnecessary, totally lovely. Cheers Alex—this brew’s for you!

And if you might be looking for a musical accompaniment, might I suggest Dark Green Water by Great Grandpa? Strained, drawling, layered beauty. If it wasn’t clear yet, the quick way to win my aural approval is through female-fronted, quiet-loud-quiet bands.

Take it easy,