Why making matters
How curiosity, creativity + connection have shaped This Creative Life: a mini zine celebrating seasonality, playfulness + adventure
When I was little, I’d spend hours knee-deep in paper scraps, drawing characters for storybooks, cutting up magazines for collages and even producing my own wee publication. No strategy, no expectations — just creating for the joy of it.
The he(art) of curiosity
Years later, that same curiosity still drives me. My projects become my playgrounds — an opportunity to explore, experiment and express myself. Designing and publishing This Creative Life, a mini zine I recently funded through Kickstarter was no exception.
Back in 2020, tired of the online landscape, I was inspired to create an offline portfolio. That initial vision was to produce a paper to showcase my branding work to potential clients, but as time passed, something about the concept shifted, and it became more about community.
Things started to unfold when I leaned into that vision of lifting voices and sharing stories and started crafting the mini zine with a blend of seasonality, playfulness and adventure. And what began as a small spark has now been out in the world for one whole week!
The essence of creativity
Today, I’m sharing an excerpt from the mini zine, because I think it captures the purpose behind the publication and what propelled me to make something that could have just as easily lived in a series of posts right here on my Brand Seasons publication.
“Creativity, at its core, is about following a thread, seeing where it leads and allowing yourself to get lost in the process. Passion projects have a way of taking over your life in the best possible way. They demand energy, but they give back tenfold, offering moments of discovery, connection and an almost childlike sense of wonder.
But I’ll be honest, there was a moment while making this when I questioned whether it mattered. I asked a good friend if what I was doing was meaningful because, on some days, it felt frivolous. With everything happening in the world — the struggles people are facing, the challenges that will continue — I wondered if creating something like this was a distraction rather than a contribution. It’s a dilemma I find myself circling back to.
And yet, I always return to the same truth: art fuels and sustains us. It makes it possible for us to show up for the things that matter. Because we can do both: we can make art, and we can make change.
In the end, I’ve come to believe that everything curated within these pages does matter, because art offers escape, grounding and gives people the impetus to carry on.
This Creative Life is a celebration of that belief.
Inside, you’ll find articles and essays about curiosity, creativity and connection, conversations with artists, musicians and writers about how they nurture their craft, and words, poetry and reflections on embracing seasonality in life and work. You’ll also find pieces on the intersection of beauty and nature, and how art can be an act of expression and survival.”
“This mini zine is for the dreamers — for those who make, who play, who shape and who believe in the quiet power of creativity.”
A space for connection
Collaboration has become a central theme of my experience here, and the Brand Seasons community has evolved into a space for sharing your words, whether through the Notelets on Nurture series or This Creative Life.
Yes! This Creative Life first originated on my branding studio blog before making a home for itself here, and I can't wait to share bonus pieces to connect the dots between these online and offline worlds, bringing the mini zine to life beyond the page.
There is, of course, also the Brand Seasons Podcast, which features guest conversations and personal reflections, and I’m delighted to be returning with season two in the spring! Supported by 91 Magazine by Caroline Rowland, Oracle Creator and Heiter byKatharina Geissler-Evans, and with guests exploring everything from running a business when you live with chronic illness to building community through collective action, this genuinely feels like it’s becoming a place fuelled by the spirit of connection.
Join the Brand Seasons® Clubhouse today and enjoy 25% off for life, plus a copy of This Creative Life through your letterbox if you sign up by Tuesday 1st April.
What can you expect from the zine?
This Creative Life is a beautifully crafted 64-page mini zine filled with inspiration from a range of artists, designers, makers, photographers and writers including:
Anna Considine on adventuring for creativity
An interview with Beth Kempton about her perspective on fearless writing — watch out for the extended interview!
Kirsty Strang-Roy on poetry as play with exercises to help you engage your imagination
An interview with Laura Pashby where she generously lifts the veil on her creative process
Lyndsay Kaldor on patterns of time, accompanied by a beautiful illustration by Océane Meftah
You can also enjoy:
Creative articles, essays and insights
Conversations with makers, thinkers and writers
Poetry inspired by nature and its rhythms
Proceeds from mini zine sales go directly to Medical Aid Palestine
A NOTE ON SUSTAINABILITY: As with the Brand Seasons® Playdeck, sustainability is at the heart of this project. Printed by Newspaper Club on bright 80gsm recycled paper, the zine reflects my commitment to creating with care.
What can you expect as a paid subscriber?
Alongside the free diaries, features and podcast, you can enjoy:
Story Time: A seasonal reflection shared as a private podcast, filled with branding insights and learnings
Press Play: A quarterly co-creating session — three spacious hours to make progress and take action together
Brand Thread: A monthly AMA post where I answer your branding and business questions — plus access to my resource library
A lovely post that resonated deeply with me! Even though I’ve been in the culinary profession, for over 20 years now, spending time tinkering in my kitchen, playing with ingredients, and creating something delicious has always made my heart happy. Thank you for your beautiful words! They ring true!
Looks beautiful 😍