geenie in a bottle: edition 001

Over the last four years, I’ve truly existed at a remarkable level of hypocrisy.

It’s been a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ with a lack of planning for my own social media, no strategy to grow my database and no proper website for a long time. Ick.

My excuse has always been an industry classic: I’m too busy prioritising my clients’ work to fix my own sh*t.

But since my move to Cornwall, which is full to the brim of inspiring creatives, I set a personal intention to become more creatively expressive myself. No timeline. No measuring performance. My only form of ‘success’ that I’m expressing myself creatively on a regular basis. And for those who have been around since the Project Twenty Something blogging days will know I adore writing.

So that’s what I’ve been doing.

The notes on my phone are once again full to the brim. There are one line theories that need a little more time to evolve into feature pieces, poetry that surprisingly falls out of my brain in one go and dating diary entries that will probably never see the light of day.

But what I have come to realise is that creativity withers in silence.

The closer we keep our creativity to ourselves, the safer we feel. Because to be truly honest through our creativity is to be seen. But to send something into the wild that’s come from your own mind and didn’t exist before is pretty magical. So seriously, what the f*ck are we all waiting for?

I know for sure 80 year old me will want to reminisce on how much of life we truly experienced when we had time on our side.

So despite what fear whispers, when I do share my creativity with friends and family, I’m always met with such warmth and connection. And yes, I know what you’re thinking, they have to say they like it right?! Maybe. Probably. But ultimately, people love to relate to each other. People repeat specific lines of my poems back to me that they see themselves in. They resonate. And every time it’s different.

Equally, some people may see my words and think “this is utter garbage” (which fyi is pronounced gar-bah-shhh). And that’s ok. You can’t be everything to everyone and nor should you try.

But I now know that by filling up my own creative cup (and sharing it) it makes more space for imagination in other areas of life. Personal connections deepen, I unearth fresh perspectives and generally notice more momentum towards what feels right in life and for my own business.

So yes. Point your finger guns at me and I’ll put my hands up. As far as following my own advice goes, I’ve managed to set the bar in hell. But here’s me officially closing the gap between knowing what to do and actually making more space to bring creativity to life.

What started as a newsletter about work and insights has evolved into a desire to connect with more people through creativity. So I hope something in here rings true for you. And if you’re in Cheltenham or St Ives and fancy chatting about creative sh*t (or even marketing), hit me up.