Out And Back will be slowing down over the next few weeks and will be back properly in early January. Paid subscriptions have been paused until we go again in 2025 so you’ll have 30 days added on to subscriptions.
I want to say a wholehearted thank you to you dear readers, and an even bigger thank you to the ones who have bought paid subscriptions, shared, commented, spread the word, and helped this independent publication get off the ground and grow. It’s only a few months old and we’ve done a lot in that time!
I’m also hugely grateful to Richard, Stuart, Ellie and Emma for contributing as I never wanted this to be a solo endeavour. Welcoming other perspectives and approaches to doing what we love is valuable, as nobody has all the answers.
Read the archive
There are a couple of offers on over the festive period - 35% off subscriptions (must be claimed before January 31), and a 14-day trial (must be claimed before January 10).
So if you want to go back through the archive and read our free & paid content over the break, there is a shed load of stuff there to enjoy and give you food for thought to conceive, plan and put your next adventures into motion for the new year.
Paid subscriptions pay for the costs of running and editing this publication.
'Don't let the highs go to your head or the lows go to your heart'
I don’t know where I first read or heard this quote, but it’s one I have pinned to my home screen on my laptop and one I think about when the doubts creep in with anything I do, whether it’s sport, career or something else. It goes hand-in-hand with “you just have to start”, which you may remember if you’ve been here since the start.
I have enjoyed starting this brand and newsletter, it has allowed me to find the passion in my work again, but I’d be lying if I said it was all plain sailing.
It has dominated my thinking most of this year for all the right reasons. I knew before I started it would be a rollercoaster of highs, lows, periods of doubt, raising funds, wondering what people would think, and for someone who doesn’t do self-promotion and sharing my personal life, wondering why I even started!
But it has been wonderful to watch a brand form and grow, to try out new things, see what works and what doesn't, problem-solve my way through, put ideas into action, and a lesson in not letting the highs go to my head or lows go to my heart.
I believe a big part of journalism and content creation - particularly in this sector of human interest and outdoor media - should be about adding value. Value can be entertainment, public interest, information, storytelling and even humour. If you’re not adding value, what are you doing?
In the four months since we launched, the feedback has been that we have added plenty of value to this sector. So it’s been totally worth it.
I am looking forward to putting plans into action in 2025. But before then, I’m taking a break for the next few weeks and doing this 1,000-piece jigsaw.
Happy reading and New Year!
Good luck with the jigsaw! Have really enjoyed reading the articles, despite being an ageing female who now trots round with our rescued greyhound. Have always enjoyed the outdoors, walking has always been my go to therapy and destresser.
Enjoy the break, you’ve earned it. And thank you for an excellent publication with quality writing, inspiring articles and relatable content.