The Grand Adventure of Starting Anew
Saying Yes: For Pure Joy or Profound Learning
When was the last time you started something new purely for the joy of discovery, for the sheer creative spark it ignited?
When did you last push yourself truly out of your comfort zone, perhaps surprising yourself by finally doing that thing you’d shelved for years, feeling wonderfully good about it afterwards?
When was the last time you did something simply to learn more about yourself?
This past year, I've said a resounding 'yes' to new things: seeking growth, embracing discovery, and finding joy in every unexpected turn.
Table of Contents
My 2025 Journey: The Initial Leap
This past year has indeed unfolded as a period of significant growth and bold decisions, seeing me tick off a fair few things from my mental to-do list. Some have taught me more than I ever anticipated, some pushed me to my limits, a few were purely for pleasure, and yes, some tested my sanity – I’m looking at you, accounting and taxes.
Honestly, what is it about those numbers that makes them so utterly impenetrable and dull? My top tip for anyone venturing into self-employment: get yourself a brilliant accountant. Seriously, it's a game-changer; it buys you back precious headspace.
Anyway, this year, I took the plunge and went solo, launching my own consultancy. I'm now working with agencies, founders, and brands, diving deep into social media, content strategy, creator & brand marketing. It's been a whirlwind, collaborating with startups and creators, crafting strategies for FMCG giants, and even navigating the world of B2B projects, which was entirely new territory. I've been able to blend my personal experience of building my own brand with the corporate insights I’ve gathered over the years.
It’s probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. Two years ago, this wasn't even a flicker on my radar. Yet, the last six months alone have been a masterclass in professional development. There’s no safety net, no one else footing the bill for your growth, no gentle pat on the back reassuring you that mistakes are all part of the journey. But boy, do you learn.
The Endless Pursuit of Knowing
With that glorious lack of a safety net comes a relentless, yet rather exhilarating, drive to constantly educate myself. I’m at industry events whenever I can be – hello, DMVF and Madfest (Cannes still hasn’t sent an invite, mind you). I’m devouring everything I can about AI, playing with new tools, crafting my own custom GPTs, and even building agents with platforms like Launch Lemonade. I’m glued to podcasts like ‘Everyday AI’, I’ve joined ‘AI for Non Techies’, and I’m a regular at Section’s webinars.
Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't for the faint of heart. It demands a chunk of your time and a good portion of your brainpower. But it's how you truly build the skills that keep you relevant in today’s rather fast-paced climate.
That said, I’m a firm believer that you also need time simply to play. To create for the sheer joy of it, to try new things and see what sticks. Amie McNee, in her brilliant Ted Talk, makes a compelling case for how creating art empowers you, gives you a voice, and helps you reclaim your attention from the endless noise. It’s an act of rebellion in itself.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve dipped my toe into the newsletter waters. It’s my way of putting thoughts out into the world, without the grand ambition of writing a novel or self-publishing anything.
It’s simply because writing has always been a quiet, lingering thought (perhaps inherited from my grandfather, who was a journalist and writer back in Greece). I’ve decided to finally spill all those overthinking thoughts onto paper. If even one person reaches out to chat about an idea, that makes me ridiculously happy. So, consider this little corner of the internet a space for exactly that. It’ll evolve, of course, just as my own writing does – some articles will be practical and educational, others more general musings.
Hands in the Clay, Head in the Clouds
Speaking of new beginnings, I tried pottery the other day. My goodness, my mind was utterly blown by the craftsmanship, by the sheer dedication required to let go of tension, to simply be present, and to create something so beautifully handmade in a world that’s increasingly manufactured. While everyone else is fretting about AI’s role in art and creativity, I prefer to use it to make my work more efficient, not to supplant my own creative spark.
I’ve also finally jumped on the Duolingo bandwagon. Now I understand the hype! It was a great LinkedIn post from the Bold Bean Co's founder, Amelia Christie-Miller that sealed the deal for me – they swapped social media scrolling for the productive, engaging fun of learning a new language. Genius, really.
Then there was the valiant, if ill-fated, attempt at padel with my partner. It ended with a dislocated shoulder and an impromptu visit to A&E. Turns out, my right shoulder, after an old accident, wasn’t quite ready for such a demanding sport. But hey, it was my first trip to A&E, and the doctors, nurses, and staff there were absolutely amazing. So, another new experience for the personal diary, I suppose!
The Joy of New Faces
Something else I've truly embraced this year is actively meeting new people. I wish I’d done more of it sooner. It’s opened my perspective, fostered connection, sparked engagement, and helped me grow. Especially in marketing, where interacting with diverse cultures and viewpoints is so vital.
I’ve thrown myself into various communities – UpClub, Ruvo, Founders Social, Get Shit Done and Stack World, to name a few. Over the past few months, I’ve been incredibly lucky to meet some truly brilliant minds, engage in wonderfully deep conversations, and realise that, actually, we all face similar fears and challenges. We all doubt ourselves, overanalyse things, and it’s simply brilliant to tap into these communities for support, a sanity check, or a helping hand – whether that’s for an accounting contact, a recommendation, or simply to geek out about new cultural trends.
This newfound openness has led me to attend several events on my own, often without knowing a soul. My goal isn't necessarily to network, but to simply learn and challenge my thinking on a particular topic. If I meet someone interesting along the way, that’s a bonus.
And speaking of interesting people, I’ve also had the absolute pleasure of attending a few dinners with strangers. Honestly, how wonderfully fulfilling! I've met some truly inspiring women from all sorts of backgrounds, experienced brilliant hosting, and found myself in conversations with people I’d never have crossed paths with otherwise.
One dinner, in particular, was serendipitously themed around ‘the art of new beginnings’, which was just perfect for this current chapter of mine. I enjoyed it so much that I'm now desperate to host my own – just need to pin down the dates! If you're ever looking to try something similar, do check out A & The Table. It's a delightful way to broaden your horizons over a shared meal.
I’d consider myself a sociable person, but not one who easily initiates conversations or actively seeks out new people. I've truly realised how much I was missing out. Putting yourself out there for more opportunities, more visibility, and more eyes on your thoughts and your work is both terrifying and fascinating. But it absolutely expands your thinking. Which, I suppose, is exactly what I'm doing with this newsletter. Perhaps you'll join me on this journey of expanding our horizons by becoming a subscriber.
A few days ago, I even gave a university lecture at University of Birmingham to MSc in Marketing students on social media, creators, and Generative AI – focusing on the mindset and skills needed to thrive. I was absolutely bricking it the day before, wondering how on earth I’d hold their attention for five and a half hours on a beautiful sunny day.
To my surprise, they were genuinely interested. Perhaps it was the memes in my presentation that kept them laughing, but I think it was also because I was real. I spoke about my own struggles at their age, my insecurities when changing jobs, and shared advice on navigating a first job and building a new life in London. And through it all, I realised how much I absolutely love giving talks, educating others, and sharing what I’ve learned.
The Gap Between Wanting and Doing
We all harbour that ideal version of ourselves, the one who attends creative workshops, speaks confidently on stage, or actually opens that gym membership email. But the chasm between wanting and doing can feel utterly enormous. And we often waste precious time trying to construct the perfect bridge.
Sometimes, the only way across is to take a wobbly, uncertain step into the unknown. To simply start before you feel ready. Because, truthfully, you never will be.
Lessons from Clay
At the pottery wheel, you quickly learn to work with your hands, not against them. You discover patience. Gentleness. The subtle art of letting go. You realise that pressure in the wrong places collapses everything you're trying to build.
You centre your hands. You lean in slowly. You breathe.
And the clay, it listens.
It's a quiet, beautiful reminder that life isn't about muscling your way through. It's about presence. Those small, subtle movements. Trusting the process – and trusting yourself.
There's a quote that never left my mind:
People who work with their minds, need to rest with their hands.
Your foray into pottery made me think of this.
Love this post Venice and your inspiring journey this year. I’m so glad we met! We are long overdue our coworking catch up and coffee. Xx