Becoming a right wee rebel
When I was 15-years-old, bearing in mind I looked about 11, I went into a metal/emo shop with a friend.
I looked at the old man behind the counter. And in my sweet, unassuming, high voice, I said, “Hello. Please can I have one of the patches that says: Fuck Parental Advisory?”
I’ll never forget the look on his face.
I’ve carried that air of rebellion with me throughout my life and in my business. And I want to help you do it, too.
Putting authority in its place
I’ve always hated authority; I’ve always kinda liked shocking people.
There’s a quiet thrill that comes from seeing someone’s expression shift when you say or do something they weren’t expecting, when you take a sledgehammer to the neat little box they’ve put you in.
I know my teenage self would be proud that I continued to be a right wee rebel in life and built a rebellious, anti-hustle, anti-patriarchal, rule-breaking business.
And deep down, my love, you’re a wee rebel, too. If the rebellious voice in your head has been drowned out by the noise of capitalism and the patriarchy, I’m here to help you bring it back and give it a megaphone.
Defying expectations and creating my own beliefs
As I progressed through my career in communications, I was often mistaken for the person bringing in the drinks or taking the notes, rather than the comms expert in the room. And I bloody loved telling the old white guys what they should be doing. I loved defying the rules they thought I should exist within.
I’ve always been called stubborn. I’ve always been pretty feisty – a proper redhead.
Other ways I live that are pretty rebellious:
- I choose to be child-free.
- My partner and I choose not to get married.
- I love androgynous clothes (think giant men’s shirts and DMs).
- I love the snow and I don’t love the blazing sunshine (redheads don’t do well in the heat).
In my last corporate job, where I had my two breakdowns, I was nicknamed Arnie. That’s right, I was nicknamed after Arnold Schwarzenegger, because when I opened my mouth it was like a flamethrower or machine gun going off.
I’d rip a hole in anyone’s argument that didn’t stand up to my scrutiny. With my responsibility being managing the response to reputational issues and crises, of which there were a lot, I felt like the moral compass of the organisation, constantly having to speak up and speak out.
My guess is you’ve experienced similar feelings.
Maybe you’re feeling them right now. Maybe you’re trying to ignore that angsty part of yourself, that pull of intuition in your gut, that’s telling you to rebel and build a life and business on your own terms.
The task of building that wildly free existence might feel like a mountain climb right now. But pal, it’s absolutely possible.
Now, looking back on my corporate job, I know that a lot of that – frankly aggressive – behaviour was because I felt like I was constantly under scrutiny. I felt like someone was constantly watching and waiting for me to fail so they could tell me just how shit I was.
Ultimately, where that aggression stemmed from was a place of fear. And frustration at having to operate within an environment, under a set of rules, that I didn’t like, didn’t believe in, didn’t want, and couldn’t flourish within.
I still have some of that anger in me. But now, its fiery eyes are set on the systems of oppression in our society that keep us from having a bloody lovely life.
Get my free BTS video to find out how I run an anti-hustle, anti-patriarchal, rule-breaking business (and how you can too)
Awaken the rebel within you
Now, I can confidently hold the duality of that anger at injustice with the deep support, kindness, love, and empathy I have for others, and channel it into my work.
When I see a client undercharging and overworking, for example, that fire in my belly is ignited again. And I fight for them to banish the societal expectations and beliefs they didn’t consent to.
- I help them unpick those deep-rooted self-limiting beliefs around their worth.
- I empower them to pay themselves not only fairly but more than fairly.
- I support them in setting and sticking to boundaries that honour their needs, wants, and capacity.
- I become the right wee rebel in their corner, fighting for their version of living wildly free.
There’s a wee rebel within you, too.
Maybe you haven’t felt it in years or you’ve suppressed it because you didn’t want to rock the boat. But pal, fuck that. You only get one life. Rock that boat until it flips.
To build the life and business of your wildest dreams, you have to let your inner rebel run wildly free.
