Hello!
I'm Blakely, author of Pulling Threads. Quick bio: I'm the former CEO and co-founder of TaskRay, software to manage the post-sale customer experience. While no longer in the day-to-day of TaskRay, I remain active in startup life, advising leaders and entrepreneurs. Outside of business, I am a devoted Victim's Advocate for the Boulder Police Department, helping provide safe support systems in our community. In my free time, I enjoy rafting Colorado rivers, music festivals, and raising two remarkable teenagers alongside my husband Scott and Jovi, our Goldendoodle.
What is Pulling Threads?
In the late winter of 2020, I hit the wall in a tornado of burnout. I knew I was in trouble and requested a short sabbatical, a big ask for a CEO in a rapidly growing company. As final preparations were being made, COVID hit and I immediately reversed course, unable to leave my team. When the reality of a 2-week lockdown turned into indefinite isolation, I became paralyzed. With the support of two amazing partners, each wrestling their own form of burnout, they kicked me out the door to start a journey into Therapy World (coined by one of those amazing partners).
In Therapy World, I discovered putting thoughts to paper is not only cathartic but also a means for internal discovery and external connection. As someone who does not identify as a writer, starting a public forum to share my thoughts is something I never thought I'd be comfortable with. I hope with practice and courage, I will find my footing, and in sharing, it will become a platform of learning & laughing — and a few new friends.
As a mom of two teenagers, the opportunity to mommy blog is in the rear-view mirror. Yet, midlife, with all its fine lines & wrinkles, is looking at me in another mirror, the bathroom vanity. As I find my sweet spot, Pulling Threads will be a mash-up of all the messy parts of me. A yearning for connection and purpose, a curiosity for why I am who I am, what is to come in midlife, and a private look into the problems that challenge me (and perhaps you too) as well as the hobbies that fill my spirit.
Why subscribe?
Connecting people through the challenges of midlife while finding beauty, joy, and opportunity is important to me. While this medium is terrifying to a non-writer and someone tentative to live publically, I crave the connection with others who are in a similar exploration of life. I believe this medium is an opportunity for us to find solace and inspiration from each other.
What can I expect?
Poorly written posts, but I promise to run them through Grammarly; also, can someone teach me to take a good picture on my iPhone?
Explorations of midlife in an effort to jump to The Second Curve, as Arthur Brooks describes in From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.
As an imperfect perfectionist who loves lists, as a side hobby, I plan to share all the packing and other lists I use to feed my perfectionist needs - and happy to share product recommendations if of interest.
Last, I am fueled by music (although no musician). I welcome the opportunity to chat about new and old tunes, live shows, and who inspires you.
Ultimately, I hope we all have a few treasures we can share, whether trite or with more profound curiosity in the pursuit of contentment.
If you would like to support this passion project financially, here are a few options:
$5/month
$48/year (or $4 monthly)
$75/year (founding fan, believer, and financial sponsor of this journey - thank you)
I look forward to unraveling life’s threads one story at a time, and I appreciate the opportunity to have you join me for this exploration.
Here we go!
b.
