A Second Childhood

Second Childhood (noun). A period in someone’s adult life when they act as a child, either for fun or as a consequence of reduced mental capabilities.

When people mention ‘second childhood’, I typically think of cantankerous pensioners getting up to no good in their old age. Yet at 27 years young, I’m starting to feel like it’s my time already, and hopefully not from ‘reduced mental capabilities’!

Forgive me the self-indulgence of writing this about myself. I’ve been doing a lot of reflection lately, about where I’m at at the moment and what sort of life I’d like to create for myself – in part thanks to reading Emma Gannon’s ‘The Multi-Hyphen Method’. It’s about building a career based on more than one skill or outlet, rather than pigeonholing yourself into one vocation. Writing for me, is largely cathartic – one of the many strings to my bow, as Emma’s book celebrates – and perhaps this might invite you to think a bit deeper too. 

There are three themes to my second childhood, which I feel has really begun to take wing in the last year or so; exploring, creating and sharing. It was chasing fun and passion that fuelled my move from my University-led career of agricultural livestock nutrition, into the cycling industry. I have always worked hard, so why not let it be in something I really enjoy? Now contemplating the longevity of my working life, why not choose to allow other interests define me and what I do?

Let me explain these themes further.

Exploring

My earliest, fondest memories centre around days down at the stream den, building, wading, sitting in the tractor cab, and gallivanting across the fields. Growing up in the countryside, my brother and I had to make fun for ourselves; and that we certainly did. We were outdoorsy types, and never happier than returning to the back doorstep head-to-toe in clay mud, much to the dismay of our poor Mum. 

Continuing this theme throughout my teenage years was nothing new; the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme was a prime example and something that taught me so much more, not only about expeditions in wild places, but also the skills of navigating. I’m a total map nerd and this has really influenced what I enjoy doing today. 

I’ve tried a few outdoorsy things in my twenties, from surfing to deer-stalking, and rock climbing, but nothing has drawn me in quite like bikepacking has. It’s a perfect mix for me of the sport of cycling and expedition skills, plotting a route to camping under the stars, being totally self-supported and finding new places you never knew existed. I have countless friends in cycling that have totally different motivations; speed or skill, performance oriented riders, but for me it’s more about the discovery of new trails and what you find along the way. Even bikepacking races begin to appeal less and less, as I long to jump in that river, inspect the local wildlife or savour the lunch stop.

Creating

I thrived on art and music at school, but in the school holidays I was always encouraged to do ‘something constructive’ rather than watch TV or play computer games. I was praised for building, making or creating, no matter what medium (or how terrible it was)! 

I believe that all of us are creative – it’s just about finding how it works best for you. I always feel a great sense of pride and achievement when I make or fix something myself (shoutout to Dad with his career-launching ‘Mr Fix-It’ van and business Est. 1977). Drawing or painting, craft, sewing, wood or steelwork, helping my brother to change an engine aged six, being Dad’s +1 on the tools restoring vintage tractors, helping mum in the garden or taking up musical instruments – it all flexed my creative muscles as a child. 

I’ve dabbled since, picking up the pencils, watercolours or guitar every now and then, typically briefly before some other distraction. My early twenties have been focussed on career building, networking and generally working out how to ‘Adult’. Creating has suffered at the cost of changing houses, jobs and partners, establishing new friendships, working on my mental wellbeing and indulging in getting outside. 

Discovering writing as a means of creating was not only my first access point into the cycling industry as a freelance writer, but also a crucial tool to help me overcome my mental battles with food. A hobby that was not exercise focussed but absorbing and creative, that helped me express myself and share my thoughts with others. It’s been an invaluable outlet for me to consider how I’m feeling and what I’ve been experiencing. Much to my surprise (and delight), it’s seemingly enjoyed by others too.

Going hand-in-hand with the writing, photography is another pleasure that’s back on my plate, only 13 years after I took on my first summer job to save up for a DSLR. Depressingly, I traded in my Nikon D40 and several top quality lenses for just a fraction of what I originally paid for them (half a lifetime ago) and swapped for an up-to-date Sony alpha 6000. I’m amazed at what I can achieve with such a compact camera, and love taking tips from my talented snap-happy friends, whilst out on our bike adventures. 

More lately, another childhood love has come back into my life. When the cats peed in my 10+ year old, much loved Cath Kidston travel duffle, I knew it was time for an update. I started looking for a custom bag-maker from the UK or US to make me something that I really loved that would last at least another decade. It dawned on me that this should be something that I could have a go at myself – so with a few sketches, a lot of help from my friend and pro bag maker Jon Mack, and some specialist materials purchases online, I was very excited about my next project. The rest has been history – albeit just a few months of it yet. Now there’s a great stack of multicoloured cordura and rip-stop on my cabinet, boxes of buckles, straps and zips in all colours. The more I sew, the more I learn, and the more people are asking me to make them things too. I don’t think I’m quite ready to sell just yet, but it’s pretty flattering that people are begging to take my handiwork for their hard-earned cash! 

Sharing

I’ve always been a social person. Growing up in a B&B you don’t get much of a choice; every week we had new people staying who felt like part of the family, ice-skaters, weather forecasters, holiday makers or dog show judges. We had it all. 

You’ll get the idea that these themes are all interlinked. I love to write to share; to create for others, to share my adventures with other people. Riding solo definitely has its place, but I’d almost always prefer good company than none at all. 

Without sharing, exploring and creating would mean very little to me. Perhaps I’m looking for external validation for my efforts, or rather I’d like to share the beautiful things I find with those I think would enjoy them too. More lately, I’m loving the barter economy I can create with the bags I make; trading pouches for wheel builds, spray paint and favours down the line. 

What does it all mean?

I guess for me, nailing down what really makes me tick can help direct what I create for myself in terms of a lifestyle and career. I have worked hard enough to be well-settled yet flexible, so the world really is my oyster. I feel like I’m having my second childhood because I’m being drawn back to the things that I really loved as a kid. 

Knowing what you want in broader themes rather than vocational stereotypes can only be useful when it comes to the ever-changing digital landscape. When I graduated, my current job didn’t even exist. Who knows what opportunities will exist in 10 years time; but if there are a multitude of areas for discovery, creation and teamwork, I’ll be there.