Turning 40: The Start of Something New

Today is the 1st of April, and while many are playing pranks, I’m here to share something very real. It’s my birthday!!! 40 years around the sun, and no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke. Reaching this milestone has made me pause and reflect on the past months and years, on everything that has led me to this moment, and on where I want to go next.

Looking back, my life has been in a constant state of transformation. Moving from London to Italy, leaving behind the security (and suffering) of horrible jobs to become a full-time freelancer, and navigating all the ups and downs of working for myself. Change has been my companion for years now. But standing at this turning point, I feel a new shift coming, not just in my career, but in my whole way of living. It’s time to focus on my physical and mental well-being, to find stability in every aspect of my life, and most importantly, to apply the lessons I’ve learned from past mistakes.

10 Life Lessons I’ve Learned as a Creative Person

1. Listen to your inner voice, but not the panicked one. Ignore the voice that constantly worries about the future and overthinks everything. Instead, follow the one that speaks with kindness, clarity, and a sense of direction. That’s the one guiding you toward the right path.
2. Struggle is necessary for growth. If life were always easy and comfortable, you’d never push yourself to become more. The hardest moments often lead to the biggest transformations.
3. You can achieve all your dreams, but it will take way longer than you think. Nothing is impossible, but patience is key. In my case, it took nine years to get where I wanted to be, and I’m still growing.
4. Most people won’t care about what you do, and if you’re successful, they’ll care even less. But that’s okay. Do it for yourself first. The right people will find you.
5. If something is holding you back, let it go. Whether it’s a toxic habit, a job, or people who don’t support you, remove what’s stopping you from moving forward. Set a “no-drama” policy for your life.
6. Build the life you want to live, not the life others expect from you. You’re the one who has to wake up to it every day, make it one you love.
7. Put yourself first. Not in a selfish way, but in a way that honours your needs, your boundaries, and your well-being. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
8. Reconnect with nature whenever you can. Humans weren’t made to stare at screens all day. If you feel overwhelmed, step outside, breathe and take in the beauty of the world. It’s a reminder that life is more than deadlines and to-do lists.
9. Money will never feel like enough, so stop chasing it. The best things in life are free: time, love, creativity, and those small, fleeting moments that make life feel magical.
10. Be weird, take up space, and express yourself unapologetically. Through art, fashion, or however you choose, be bold, be loud, and don’t shrink yourself to fit someone else’s expectations.

The creative industry is facing challenges, with AI threatening to reshape everything. But despite the uncertainty, I refuse to stop creating. Art and design aren’t just things I do, they are my life. In 2017, I was lost, feeling hopeless about my future. I had no idea where I was headed until I realized that the only thing that brought me true joy and meaning was creating. If I stopped now, I would lose the very essence of who I am.

Instead, I’m going all in. I will put even more energy into my work, not just to keep up with the changing world but to stand out in a way that no machine ever could. I want my art to be a source of inspiration, joy, and hope, to remind people that even in the darkest times, there is beauty in the smallest things. The world doesn’t need soulless, automated content, it needs real human stories, emotions, and perspectives. And that’s exactly what I plan to keep bringing to life.

So, here’s to this new chapter, one where I embrace growth, creativity, and resilience. I’m ready for it, and I hope my journey will inspire others to keep pursuing what truly matters to them.

Happy April! Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of spring, let it inspire you, and embrace the fresh possibilities this new season brings.

The illustrations you see in this blog post were created for the Pinterest Trends Challenge 2025. 🍒⚓ To see the full series, visit my Pinterest page!