Goodbye to All That Marketing

This article was first published as a Marketing Fix newsletter issue in October 2025.

“Goodbye to All That” is the title of an autobiographical essay by Joan Didion. While I share very little of Didion’s sentimental outlook at leaving New York in the mid-1960s, I’ve always felt a strong affinity with the essay’s title.

I’ve always been one to say adieu: to projects and jobs, to places and dreams.

And now, it’s time for me to say goodbye to marketing.

At least for the next 2 years, for I’m finally ready to take the leap of faith and focus on writing my debut novel.

It feels a little bit insane and a great deal scary

It feels like the absolutely right thing to do.

It feels like… Freedom and purpose, which I’ve lacked for a long time.

On leaving marketing

There are two key reasons why I’m leaving the marketing world for at least the next 24 months.

Reason 1: I no longer enjoy working on marketing in its current AI era, where the sole goal is automation and efficiency. Meanwhile, creativity and integrity are as good dead. Perhaps, things will have (re)turned for the better in 24 months. I remain an optimistic pessimist.

Reason 2: I find meaning and purpose in art, literature, poetry. Reading, thinking, and writing make me feel that the real world, external to the screen, still exists. I’ve been working on my debut novel for the past 3 weeks, and it makes me feel grounded, focused on one thing, instead of jumping between messaging apps.

What about the ongoing projects & the Marketing Fix newsletter?

All my marketing-related projects are going into a looong hibernation. So there won’t be any more Marketing Fixes for the foreseeable future.

Also, I won’t be taking on any new consultation projects.

So, what’s next?

Some people go on jobbaticals. Some take breaks from work to have kids.

All I want is to return to a world free of the always-on hustle and noise. To think, experience, and work on something meaningful.

I returned to London in early September with an idea for my debut novel. Since then, I’ve been going to the British Library five days a week.

Writing a novel is like having a full-time job, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so inspired and determined.

And so, I decided to use my savings to buy 24 months of freedom.

Not to “hang out” or travel, but to work harder than ever.

If you’d like to follow my writerly pursuits and be notified about my upcoming poetry pamphlet, come join me here or say hi on Instagram.

How I’m feeling: