A year of learning
Reflections on 2024.
First, a brief announcement: This newsletter has been inactive for a while, but it’s now moved over to Substack, where I’ll be writing more often. If you’re getting this email, you’ll continue to receive these newsletters in your inbox.
Whether you’ve been following me since my days as an actor, subscribed at the start of this newsletter a few years ago, or found me through my videos about writing, thank you for your support.
A year ago, I wrote about how 2023 was a year of change for me. Turning 18. Starting a publishing company. Traveling to new places. Starting to build real traction through my videos online.
2024 was also a year of change—but more than that, I would say the overriding theme was learning.
Last year, I experimented.
I tried to make a video about writing every day for 365 days (I made about 100 in a row before travel and burnout ended my streak).
I went to over a dozen creator events and writing clubs, where I met creatives of all types.
I quit social media for a month.
I collaborated on articles and videos with writers and YouTubers I’ve been a fan of for years.
I completely redesigned my room for writing and filming.
I spent a month traveling to 12 countries across Europe.
I learned important lessons (sometimes the hard way) about sustainability, traveling independently, finding creative community, and what really matters to me—plus things I didn’t expect to learn, like how to paint a room.
Another important lesson I learned this year, through talking to many creators I look up to, is that no one, no matter how successful or old or put-together, has all of this figured out. Life always has something more to teach us; anyone who thinks they have it all figured out is either delusional or unaware of how much they don’t know.
Every year is a year of learning. All the more so at my age, but I’d like to think I’ll never stop experimenting and seeking out new experiences.
This year, I intend to build off of the lessons I learned in 2024. Focusing on long-form over short-form videos. Making more time to write. Creating consistently and sustainably.
I’ll be sharing more in the weeks to come about what I’m working on now and what’s to come in 2025. In the meantime, if you have any questions or lessons from the past year you’d like to share, reply to this email or leave a comment on Substack. I’d love to hear from you.
My latest work
Recommendations
Listen: “This Is (Not) Beethoven,” an album of Beethoven works delightfully recomposed by Arash Safaian.
Read: Babel by R.F. Kuang. It’s dark and makes you think—my favorite kind of book.
Watch: Arrival by Denis Villeneuve. A masterclass in blending high-concept sci-fi with emotionally compelling character work.
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Thanks for reading.
– Grayson