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 improper, it was actually scary. And I am nonetheless attending to do nice issues that I really like, however I bear in mind a number of individuals had been similar to, “Oh, my gosh.” Like, “You are stepping away from Future Sounds, I can not imagine it!” And I mentioned, “Yeah. Yeah, I’m.” As a result of I feel with all of us, there comes some extent in our life the place it is okay to say no to issues. I feel it’s empowering to know once you’ve had your fill. Whether or not it is by way of a piece state of affairs, 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 study once you’ve had sufficient of one thing. Respectfully.

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

Clara: Actually, it was work/life stability. I am so, so, so fortunate and I’ve labored actually arduous to have the ability to do all of the various kinds of issues that I get to do, however I used to be spinning quite a lot 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 further work exterior of radio.” And I believed, “I do not wish to dwell like this.” And the sensation would not go away as a result of I really took a little bit sabbatical. I took a step again as a result of I hadn’t actually taken a giant, huge, huge 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 effectively, 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 12 months. Do not get me improper, I feel it’s so precious to hearken to recommendation from individuals that you just belief implicitly. But in addition, you recognize your self, usually talking, higher than anyone.

GLAMOUR: It is also a giant change, which is one thing that may actually frighten individuals. Most individuals, the truth is. 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 actually be within the second.

However change, I welcome it. I prefer it. If it wasn’t for change, I would have a very boring life. I feel all of us would. And alter is awkward, it is empowering however it might 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 got been at Radio 1, what was the excessive level of that journey?

Clara: When Harry Types winked at me within the Reside Lounge. I used to be gassed! We noticed Paul McCartney. That was wonderful. We sang collectively, a little bit bit, which was enjoyable. Names simply dropping from the sky. Sir Elton John, I acquired to go to his home, we simply performed tunes.