Clara Amfo: ‘There Comes A Level In Life When It is Okay To Say No’

I felt fairly empowered stepping away from my radio present. And do not get me incorrect, it was actually scary. And I am nonetheless attending to do nice issues that I like, however I keep in mind a number of individuals have been similar to, “Oh, my gosh.” Like, “You are stepping away from Future Sounds, I can not consider it!” And I mentioned, “Yeah. Yeah, I’m.” As a result of I feel with all of us, there comes a degree in our life the place it is okay to say no to issues. I feel it’s empowering to know while you’ve had your fill. Whether or not it is by a piece scenario, sure relationships in your life, if that is romantic, platonic, whether or not it is the way you deal with your self, I feel it’s empowering to be taught while you’ve had sufficient of one thing. Respectfully.

GLAMOUR: After 10 years of internet hosting numerous Radio 1 radio exhibits, you mentioned one thing needed to give. And also you mentioned that that was empowering. What motivated you to do this?

Clara: Truthfully, it was work/life stability. I am so, so, so fortunate and I’ve labored actually exhausting to have the ability to do all of the several types of issues that I get to do, however I used to be spinning plenty of plates and I believed, “Oh, gosh. I can not…” I feel, for me, I by no means wish to really feel resentful. I do not wish to really feel like, “Ugh,” doing this.

I used to be simply pondering, “I am not seeing my mates. I am not seeing my household sufficient. I am utilizing up vacation dates to do additional work exterior of radio.” And I believed, “I do not wish to stay like this.” And the sensation would not go away as a result of I really took somewhat sabbatical. I took a step again as a result of I hadn’t actually taken an enormous, large, large chunk off for about 10 years. It was empowering to return again and be like, “Okay, proper. That is what I am doing”.

GLAMOUR: It is about trusting your intestine, as properly, is not it?

Clara: Completely. The intestine does not lie and I feel that is been a recurrent dialog I’ve had with individuals all through this complete yr. Do not get me incorrect, I feel it’s so invaluable to hearken to recommendation from individuals that you just belief implicitly. But in addition, you realize your self, usually talking, higher than anyone.

GLAMOUR: It is also an enormous change, which is one thing that may actually frighten individuals. Most individuals, in truth. What’s your relationship like with change? How has it developed?

Clara: In some ways, I am such a creature of behavior and I like having a routine. However on the identical time, I can not stand planning 4 months upfront. I like to essentially be within the second.

However change, I welcome it. I prefer it. If it wasn’t for change, I might have a extremely boring life. I feel all of us would. And alter is awkward, it is empowering however it will probably make you query issues about your self. It forces you to have a look at your life and say, “Okay, can I deal with this? Am I ready for this? Do I really wish to do that?”

GLAMOUR: Wanting again on the ten years that you’ve been at Radio 1, what was the excessive level of that journey?

Clara: When Harry Kinds winked at me within the Dwell Lounge. I used to be gassed! We noticed Paul McCartney. That was superb. We sang collectively, somewhat bit, which was enjoyable. Names simply dropping from the sky. Sir Elton John, I bought to go to his home, we simply performed tunes.