From Doing to Being: Thoughts From My First Weeks of Future Life

One month ago today, I announced that we were closing the Chapter on Tubblog – The Hub for MSPs and I was stepping away from full-time work.

Typing those words still feels surreal. Tubblog has been such a huge part of my identity for nearly twenty years. It’s been a place where I poured my thoughts, my lessons, my energy and my heart. It’s hard to put into words what it’s meant to me.

The Feedback

Since sharing the news, I’ve been overwhelmed by the messages, emails, texts, and comments that have come in. There were hundreds of supportive, heartwarming comments across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms where I shared the news.

There were far too many comments to respond to individually, but I read every one, often with a lump in my throat.

From Doing to Being

Since the announcement, I’ve been adjusting to the new pace of things. It’s been both freeing and strange.

I’ll be honest. After so many years of building, creating and doing, it’s been a challenge to focus on being.

But I’m learning. Learning what it means to from from doing to being. I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to sit in the quiet without rushing to fill it.

I’m enjoying following my curiosity, and have been an active participant in Georgina Williams-Hodgson’s superb 40/40 “What’s Your Frequency” program. It’s a great mixture of scientific research, personal development and challenging long-held beliefs. I’d highly recommend taking the course when Georgina announces the next cohort.

Future Life

Some people have told me they think it’s brave to retire at 49. Maybe it is. But for me, it’s about choosing to live life on my own terms. To trade the constant current of work for something gentler, more intentional.

I’ll still be keeping my hand in the world of work.

For instance, I’ve accepted an offer to join the board of a 404 Stress Not Found, a tech industry-focused mental health charity, and I’m open to advisory and non-executive director (NED) roles, one of which I’ve already taken on (more on that soon).

But right now, I’m trying to be like a leaf on the river — going with the flow and trusting where life takes me next. No forcing. No fixing. Just trusting.

I’m calling this next chapter my Future Life. At 49-years of age, the word “retirement” didn’t feel right at all!

This new chapter is not an ending, it’s a beginning. A chance to slow down, to write more, to share differently, and to live with purpose and ease.

Conclusion

To everyone who’s been part of the journey, from the early blog readers to the podcast guests, the sponsors, the team, and the wider Managed Service Provider (MSP) community — thank you. You’ve helped make something truly special.

Here’s to what comes next. And here’s to doing life deliberately.

Thank you for being part of my story so far.