Summer of 2022 and a new phase of my life
Hopefully the first of many updates
Image description: closeup of a small handheld firework with sparks around it.
So you know how I started this newsletter and titled it “the unlearning”? So, at first I’d decided on this title because learning and unlearning is a natural part of my life. I’d initially thought I’d share my journey going through experiences and write about them.
Over time though, this newsletter’s become a space for musings and thoughts and ideas. I literally treat it as a living product that evolves with me. Last time I emailed you all, I got so many responses, it made my heart feel giddy with joy. The result of that? I launched a fun newsletter right after.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on wanting to write more and what I’m doing with this blog. While I haven’t written as much here, I am pleased to report, I have done “work writing” of sorts. I wrote about communities and why we need to rethink community design to build better communities for Forefront, a cool web3 media DAO.
In the process of writing, and figuring out a flow that works, I did think about what I’d want to share here. Between this year and last year, I feel like I’ve experienced a lifetime of experiences lol. I know I know. I guess I’m reflecting on it all now. September always marks the start of like a timed era for me. Sept - Dec are usually my FAVORITE parts of the year. Followed by my birthday month, January, my favorite month for obvious reasons. Anyway, back to the summer - oh boy was it eventful. Lots happened - on a personal front, my parents moved cities, I traveled a bunch, fell in love with a city I’d sworn off of, some serious family stuff on a personal side. As for the work front- it’s been a rocketship. I say it with pride and amusement.
2022 marked the start of a different era of my career. I’ve learnt so so so much, having launched my consultancy, working with clients, building so many products, programs, and experiences. And working with so many different people and companies. It’s been a hell of a journey. A journey that also finally, had me foraying into web3. What started with skepticism has turned into a bullish belief. No, I won’t be annoying and tell you decentralization and web3 are the solution to every problem in the world. But, I will say there’s a lot that can be done in web3, and a lot more that could be pretty cool to work on. My best friend Azeem did a great job of penning it down in this piece for Entrepreneur actually.
So what’s next for me? I’m enjoying writing. It’s been helping me think better, and I love that. I’m going to continue my Good Reads newsletter, and work writing. (If there’s something you want me to read about, reply to this email and let me know).
A big time and commitment priority for me will be a new role I’ll be sharing more about over time. We’re making an official announcement soon. Yes, it is in the web3 space, and it is one that has me so SO excited. I’m also contributing to a few DAOs, and more on that later as well.
For now, I’ve got a serious question. Are you curious about web3 and would you like to learn more about it? I keep wanting to have convos about this, but so many folks around me (from my past lives) don’t know, and that’s had me wondering if I should write a few pieces OR curate a list of resources as starting points to where you can learn more.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time and invested a good amount of energy and capacity to learn more. This process included going back to my techie roots and learning how to code again, working with different web3 orgs, and getting my hands dirty by doing (no better way to learn amirite?)
What have I unlearnt and learnt over the summer? That good things can happen and instead of questioning why they’re happening to me it’s better to be grateful and spend my time and brain energy into doing. That imposter syndrome can come up at any stage of your career and life. That it can be fought and destroyed too. That it’s never too late to learn and grow. That learning is one of the best parts of working. That being in such a fast-paced space keeps me on my toes, and I love that I’m getting to learn so much. That the world is a good place and there are so many good people in it. That everything meant for you will come your way, and when it’s not it won’t. Human pushing and pulling don’t make a difference in the divine sense of things. That I shouldn’t ever take things for granted, and that life will keep evolving and taking me on new paths and tracks. That people and life have ebbs and flows and we’re all just doing our best at the end of the day and that is sometimes all we can hope and ask for.
Those are a few, but there’s so many more. I feel like I bared my heart out. Here’s to doing it wholeheartedly and with love and openness, every time.
With peace and good vibes (this is literally my new email signature),
Mashal
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