Rethink Journeys Part 1: The art of starting

How creative shifts really begin

Dear Rethinkers,

Welcome to part I of Rethink Journeys! If you missed last week’s intro to this new series, you can catch up here.

A couple of years ago my mind (including my dreams) kept taking me back to my days spent in studios as an art student at Oxford. I LOVED this chapter of my life. I could smell the oil paint, hear the humming of the radio, and feel my friends making things all around me. Many went on to become very successful artists and designers.

Ruskin School of Art at Oxford and inside the studios

Me? I buried the artist's side of myself for a long time. I’m honestly not quite sure why. I pursued a professional path, my career took me in wonderful but different directions and it was very hard to pull back the artist I always wanted to be.

Then last year, I decided to stop creatively tinkering and start making art to express my ideas and make a living. Gulp.

Rethink Journeys is my path from a rough sketch to a public installation at the London Design Biennale this June. But this isn’t just about me—it’s for you. For anyone with a creative idea (a book, a film, a design) waiting to be brought to life, but feeling stuck or uncertain about how to start.

A trust leap into the unknown

Part of me felt embarrassed and even guilty for exploring a new direction with no clear outcome in mind. Why was I wasting time? I had a fantastic career. Was I really going to throw it away? But a deeper part of me kept tugging me forward, urging me to keep wandering, to keep tinkering.

Looking back, I wasn’t just waiting for a clear path—I was searching for permission. Permission from others, yes, but most importantly, from myself to be an artist.

One of the most powerful shifts we can make is how we view our own talents. If you’re ready to see yourself—and your abilities—differently, come on this Rethink Journey with us. Through my lessons and insights, you’ll uncover new ways to unlock your creative potential.

To join this creative journey (and to access the newsletter archive), become a paid subscriber.

Step 1: Create a process to find YOUR original Idea