13 - Aargh No! And Other Honest Truths About A Creative Life

Episode Summary What does it really look like to leave a secure career, follow a creative calling, and discover that the dream is both wonderful and hard in ways no one talks about? In this episode, author Caroline Hulse joins Lisa Birtles for a warm, funny and deeply honest conversation about writing, waiting, money,purpose and life with a small controlling dog who has very strong views about working from home.Have you ever pursued a dream thinking that once you got there, everything would finally fall into place, only to realise that you are still you, with the same doubts, fears and questions, just in a different setting?In this episode of This Is What I’m Here For, Lisa is joined byManchester based author Caroline Hulse, former HR professional, novelist published in fourteen languages, and owner of Ziggy, a small and very controlling dog who plays an unexpected role in Caroline’s creative life. When Lisa asked about a pivotal career shift, Caroline’s honest response was “Aargh, no”, and that sets the tone for a conversation that refuses to romanticise big life changes.Together, Lisa and Caroline explore the long road from writing at night alongside a full time HR career to becoming a published author, the realities of turning a passion into a job, and the emotional weight of waiting, uncertainty and financial unpredictability. Caroline speaks candidly about money, privilege, security and why she still chooses this path, again and again, even when it feels uncomfortable.In this episode, they talk about:Leaving a secure HR career to write full time, what no one warns you about, and why Caroline says she would not necessarily recommend her life shift, even though she would still choose it every dayThe everyday reality of a writing life, from spreadsheets and first drafts to waiting for emails that could change everything, and how uncertainty shows up in the body and the mindPurpose, including Caroline’s belief that she is here to entertain and be entertained, and how books, flawed characters and even a small controlling dog help her stay connected to the worldThis episode is for anyone going through a transition, questioning whether the dream is worth the discomfort, or wondering if there is something more real and honest than the polished success stories we usually hear about on socialmedia.Listen NowPress play if you want a down-to-earth conversation about creativity, courage and choosing a life that makes sense to you, even when it is messy, uncertain and occasionally involves a dog who insists on being welded to your side.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachGet your copy of Vivian Dies Again by C E Hulse: https://amzn.eu/d/086VvZvW