A space to call my own

Mills, co-founder of ustwo. London, United Kingdom

How has your day-to-day life been affected by COVID-19?

I co-own a large creative business and have studios all around the world that I can’t visit right now, which is weird. Since lockdown started, I quickly established that I need a place that is my own, so I converted the attic at home into a studio, which is something I wish I’d done 15 years ago. Although I love the studio where I work, I’ve never actually had my own desk, so it’s nice to have a space I can call mine. I’m finding that I actually prefer the world as it is today. Everyone has slowed down and I’ve been able to take in a bit more and appreciate each day. I feel blessed and lucky that I’m able to experience this time. I’ve been with my wife for 22 years; I’ve got closer to her over the last two weeks than ever so I’m very grateful for this period.

— I quickly established that I need a place that is my own, so I converted the attic at home into a studio, which is something I wish I’d done 15 years ago.

What’s been keeping you busy?

Thinking about the meaning of my abstracted life; the purpose behind it, and the things I wanted to achieve before lockdown and what the outcomes will look like post this period. I also spend around 4 hours a day helping other entrepreneurs stay inspired: sharing advice, answering questions, mentoring, networking and sometimes investing. It’s all done via my 0800 number aka my email. On top of that I’m focused on supporting and thanking ustwo’s leaders for keeping the studio floating and moving forward.

— My studio space at home has become a big part of lockdown life. I’ve been putting stuff up on the walls like a teenager;

it’s important to express myself in this way as I have ADHD so I need to see things.

The place you miss the most?

I don’t miss anywhere. I still get to run around the block every day and I enjoy the simplicity of that and appreciating the things I used to take for granted. If anything, the place I miss the most, which sounds a bit arbitrary, is the studio I’ve created at home. I feel content in such a simple, small room, and with the things I’m creating there.

— Want some help moving from biz idea to biz idoer? Tell me what you need and I will do everything I can to inspire the next move. Contact mills@ustwo.com

Who do you miss the most?

I speak to everyone I want to on the various digital platforms. I have always liked the relationships I have with my digital friends (my wife calls them ‘digi-mates’ and equally claims that you can’t be friends with people you have never met, but she’s old-fashioned like that!) who I enjoy talking with via email and Instagram DMs. There’s something so powerful about being open with strangers.

What have you learned about yourself?

Previously, I was running on fuel: alcohol, coffee, serotonin, dopamine — I was hunting for every rush you could get. Slowing down has allowed me to prioritise things and gain a new perspective. Although I’m all about connections and bringing the best out of people (that’s what I do on a day-to-day basis at work), I’ve been able to focus on myself and be a bit more selfish to become a better person. I was a very driven entrepreneur and that had a detrimental effect on the attention that I was able to give to the person that I adore more than anything in this world: my wife, Lisa. This period has given me the time to realise that my two children and my wife are much more important than anything.

— I have always liked the relationships I have with my digital friends... There’s something so powerful about being open with strangers.

First thing you’ll do once out of lockdown?

Go to McDonald’s. I grew up loving it and then for some reason I became completely against the idea of my children feeling the same. But lockdown has made me think that it’s okay to indulge sometimes and do what makes you feel good. So I’m going to go and get things I’d never normally eat, and this time it’ll be the Quarter Pounder Deluxe.

Favourite lockdown challenge?

I don’t have one. I love that it’s helping other people get through stuff but it’s not for me. I’ve just enjoyed seeing people be themselves and find a creative outlet that they maybe never had before or they didn’t realise they had. In this time of simplicity, I think what we’re seeing is people realise that the way they express themselves to others is a form of connection and a way to maintain and build relationships.

Soundtrack to your lockdown?

I’ve been getting into techno, which doesn’t make sense as I don’t like techno, but I enjoy following this one Instagram account that has lots of people dancing around decks, mostly on beaches. I think it’s because I can’t have that right now that I crave and want it. I love that idea of being surrounded by people feeling the most amount of energy and love that they can feel, and wanting to share that.