| Name: Luena Amaral Market: United Kingdom Role: Writer, Editor |
 |
I'm currently in...
Canterbury. A small but lively city in the garden of England, Kent. I’m originally from London but after moving here as a student, I fell in love. It’s a different pace of life, it’s greener and the community feel is wildly different to that of the place I grew up in. I think most people who visit Canterbury can understand its appeal and historic charm. Plus, it’s nice to be so close to the countryside and the sea, and yet be a short train away from London for when you need more of an adrenaline boost.
When I’m not freelancing, I enjoy…
walking. I recently heard the expression ‘devout pedestrian’ from the book The Walker by Matthew Beaumont, and found it very amusing. I’ve always loved walking. I remember being a child and getting lost in my imagination walking to and from places. But the lockdowns really amplified the importance of walking to me. Walking became a ritual, a meditative practice, a chance to reconnect with the seasons as they changed day by day, and to find creative space. It’s amazing how so many ideas come to you when you’re walking.
My biggest professional achievement to date was...
becoming self-employed. I toyed with the idea for a few years but wasn’t ready for it. Then, when I made that leap and decided that finding another job at another company wasn’t going to fulfil me, I knew the time was right.
If I could share one piece of advice it would be...
stay curious. Always. It’s so easy as we get older to abandon hobbies and passions, to make excuses or simply stop prioritising things that are just for us. Whether that’s sport, crafts, reading, photography, going to the museum… Whatever it is, it’s important to have something that is just for you, and feeds your interests. There is so much out there, to see and do. So, stay curious, be open to new things, keep pursuing whatever excites you.
The last book I read was...
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion. The two essays On Keeping A Notebook and On Self-Respect are masterclasses in writing. They’re vulnerable, analytical and so hyper-aware. I was blown away.