Hey Reader
Friday afternoon, the city was washed in a thin veil of light — the kind that slides down rooftops, glitters on windows, and turns tree leaves translucent. Shadows softened, buildings almost glowing, as if London had borrowed someone else’s summer.
I was walking back from an event, and for a moment I almost felt weightless. No to-do lists, no chaos, no deadlines, like the season itself had paused to give us one last reminder: you don’t need permission to step into the light. Just following the sunlight as it gifted one last bit of summer to everyone outside. In London, there’s sunlight that feels insincere, fleeting. But this one felt warm and generous. The wind was cool but not cold. Even strangers I passed seemed lighter, almost smiling — rare for London.
I carried that with me into the gym, cracking a joke or two. For a day, I forgot the thefts that had rattled me just a week ago, and had no idea I’d soon be stepping in to defend someone else in a café.
Someone said to me recently: “I don’t know you that well, but you seem pretty confident.” A year ago I would’ve thought I didn’t deserve that. Maybe it’s Barcelona, maybe IP3, maybe just testing the mental frameworks I’ve learned from podcast guests — but slowly my comfort zone is stretching, my voice no longer shaking when ask a question.
And yet, even on Friday, I caught myself saying sorry before asking a question at the event. I noticed other women doing it too. Maybe it’s cultural. Maybe it’s conditioning. But I’m glad I’ve learned to speak before I’m ready, to say yes before I have all the answers.
Because we don’t need permission to start something — and certainly no need to apologize for having an idea to share or a question to ask. The world needs our voice.
The light won’t ask permission to shine — and neither should we.
💌 Gift for Your Pocket
The best way to use AI is still to live more fully as a human. I was reminded of this after posting this video (almsot 500 views in less than 10 hours!) → Watch here.
And if you need a thoughtful listen, as about AI: Trevor Noah’s new season of What Now is back with Mustafa (CEO of Microsoft AI, author of The Coming Wave).In this pod: “Will Al Save Humanity or End lt? with Mustafa Suleyman” His line stuck with me: “It’s already making us all smarter than before.” → Listen here
✍️ Prompt for Your Week Ahead
Where in your life can you stop apologizing — and simply step into the light?
P.S.
- If you’re in London, join us for my Comedy Night on Oct 13 — a dinner party meets late night, not one of those “sit in the dark” events. Real magic in gatherings, and I promise you’ll leave with a memory worth keeping. 💌Thinking of coming? Just hit reply — even a quick “maybe” helps me plan. I’d love to see you there.
- Last week I’ve published another episode on Escape 9 to 5, Will Mannon’s story is one of the best i’ve heard on the pod.
- And if you’ve been thinking about starting your own podcast, I use Riverside for all my remote recordings. 🎙 Riverside: Link here
💙 Lydia
