Work life: Clem MacLeod
the founder of Worms magazine on her role models in work, value-driven publishing and Transcendental Meditation
Hello.
I thought i’d forego my usual brain vom to get some people I admire involved with Beautiful Gowns <3333
& when choosing a theme, I picked something that’s been on my mind A LOT recently… the balance between work and wellness/ commerciality and creativity. HOW do these amazing women make careers of their creative pursuits (yes it’s possible!!!!) Topics include: is there a secret to balancing commercial success and creative integrity? How do you prioritise your work without sacrificing your personal growth? Must you have faith? Does a fulfilling career really exist?
Obviously the first person I turned to was clem, the founder of Worms & Seed Readers, and the co-founder of Compost Library. I have admired Clem ever since she was a few years above me at Central Saint Martins and I think that everything she does is so exciting but also intellectually rigorous and full of integrity & love for art. Thank you Clem you’re the best !!!!! ♥︎
What does success mean for you?
Impact! Seeing how someone has been changed/inspired by anything that we’ve published in Worms, or by attending one of our workshops. Those are the moments that feel the most fulfilling. I suppose ‘fulfilment’ too, in that case.
Who/ which brands are your role models in work – and why?
Martine Syms - all of her work is perfect.
Isabella Burley - everything she’s done with Climax Books has brought much needed attention to the wonderful world of books.
Chris Kraus & Semiotext(e) - Chris helped me fall in love with reading again, and Semiotext(e) was a major catalyst for the creation of Worms.
Have you ever felt as though you have needed to compromise on your creativity to achieve success? How did you deal with this, and stay true to your original values?
Not to achieve ‘success’ as I’ve defined it above, but perhaps to bring some commercial traction. I think it’s a balancing act. I would never compromise anything editorially, but in the past I’ve definitely embarrassed myself to sell magazines. That sounds quite sinister, but only in a lighthearted way. Worms is a C.I.C. so by that very nature it’s value-driven; if compromises are made, they will be on a more personal level, but I quite enjoy taking the piss out of myself anyway.
When did your work start gaining traction – and why?
Honestly, it’s been a really gradual process. Rushing has never worked for me. I’m chronically impatient, and building something this slowly (but consistently) has been a huge lesson, but it’s worked!! Everything that we’ve done has been very organic. I’m quite a firm believer in divine timing; it reduces disappointment, if nothing else.
What are your favourite ways to nurture your creativity/ relax?
TM! I practice Transcendental Meditation every day, twice a day when I’m being strict. I’ve also done the Artist’s Way about a hundred times which sounds quite counterintuitive, but it’s the ritual of having some sacred creative space at a set time every week that has always really driven me creatively. I’ve never stuck to Artist’s Dates, but I do find a weekly trip to the bookshop very healing. If it’s a newly discovered one, even more so!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop comparing yourself and stop worrying - everything is working out exactly as it should. Be patient, work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen.
What are your hopes for the future?
Honestly...more space. More intuition, more writing, more reading, more patience, more trust, more presence, more intention, more clarity, more art, more conversations. Less emails, less screen-time, less stress, less worry, less comparison, less caffeine, less ‘catching up’. No Instagram, no negativity (particularly towards self!), no judgement (particularly towards self!), no rushing, no doubting, no confusion.
Love this, excited to read more!