As I am writing this today at 44 years of age, I am the happiest and most fulfilled I have ever been. I am blessed with a loving family and a rewarding creative professional path that I have chosen for myself. However it was not always this way.

Not unlike many of us, growing up I found myself immersed in art-making activities in various shapes and forms only to abandon those in order to take a more “responsible” approach to life as a young adult. I studied Political Science at uni, and several well-paying jobs followed. I changed those frequently, finding myself bored as soon as the novelty wore off. Eventually, I summoned enough courage to take some art related courses at the London University of Art. Encouraged by these experiences, I went on to choose graphic design as the middle – ground where I believed my newly rediscovered creativity could be put to use in the real world.

At the time, I was right to assume that choosing a creative profession was the right next step for me. However, the lessons that it taught me were surprising – with this perfectly creative new professional direction and some successful outcomes of happy paying customers under my belt, I soon found myself just as unfulfilled. Not short of creative ideas for any given task or the tools to execute it, I found that this work, too, wears me down. Something was still missing.

So I kept looking. Only this time, I looked inwards. I sought out the best teachers of past and present who spoke to me through books and podcasts, expanding my world and guiding me to find my own purpose. I now know that creativity is a constant source that I can use to create way more than graphic design projects. I am the creator of my own life. This single discovery empowered me to reinvent how I see myself, the ways I want to show up as in the world, and the influence I can have on people around me.

For those, who are reading this now, I want to say – keep growing, it’s worth it! There are plenty of great people and smart books that will help you get there, but only if you keep looking.