How I Lean Out: Unowned Spaces
December 21, 2021 Issue No. 31
South Australian ex-corporate law, now full-time global creative mercenary for hire and consultant. Unownedspaces (“UoS”) started as a passion project to find interesting conversations with creative idols; now it encompasses great friendships and projects as well. UoS provides creative companies and brands with direction through organic visuals, ideas, and brand future-proofing.
I lean out by being around like-minded, creative people, and enjoying the company of friends, conversation, and food. Only way to make it better is after a long hike or drive to somewhere overgrown with trees or by the coast.
My tools to lean out come first from mindset, and secondly from physical gear. I find an intention for the day and set out to achieve it. If I’ve felt cooped up in my office in front of a screen for too long, I’ll seek to disengage from tech — walk or run, work out, physical exertion. If I’m feeling drained from meetings or calls, it’s great to talk to people about whatever, just let things flow and enjoy a laugh. Weather-appropriate gear always helps with this; comfort wherever you’re going is essential at this point in life.
My wardrobe is as much a curation practice as UoS is. It's reduced to long-lasting essentials as a practice of anti-consumption. Not groundbreaking thinking, but you'd be surprised how much we over consume by chasing the next cool thing. I have one shell, an Arc'teryx Beta AR, a couple pairs of versatile hiking trousers, base-layer woollens for breathability on cooler days, an And Wander High Loft Fleece jacket and Top Fleece jacket, and a pair of Hoka One One Tor Ultra Hi waterproof boots that I'm intent on wearing into the ground. I'm never without my X-Pro1 or iPhone 12 for photos or AirPods listening to our @unownedspaces community playlists.
We're Osprey fanatics over here. A bug out bag would be either my 10-year-old Stratos 34 or Manta 24 depending on lightness. Inside you'd find my camera, solar charger, a good book (I'm reading The Beauty of Everyday Things by Soetsu Yanagi currently), a journal, and some Crocs (best comfort shoe always).
Hiking in Hong Kong, Yosemite, and New Zealand are experiences I'll never forget and miss dearly. I need to get back to New Zealand or Tasmania next. The Three Capes Track or Overland Track are next.
I bring a lot of water and make sure I'm as well prepared for as many weather eventualities as possible. Bring a pocket knife, know how to measure how much sunlight is left in the day, and tell people where you're going and how long you'll be gone.