Hello , my fellow brave human

Discovering my mum’s cancer had returned coincided with my discovery of ‘the sketchbook project’, a programme run by the Brooklyn art library in New York. It was a global project that gave a series of titles to choose from, a sketchbook and a deadline for submission.

Having not so much as picked up a pencil since school, my interest was piqued, I paid my fee and then chose the title… 

“Great Hopes and Massive Failures”

After scrabbling around for ideas, I remembered a beautiful Emily Dickinson poem “hope is a thing with feathers”. 

The words and sentiment of the poem was something I wanted to stick to, draw from - and then literally draw from. 

The journey of creating this piece was beautiful. It was nearing winter. Every night I’d put Milly to bed and open my landing cupboard, where I’d set up a desk with a spotlight, and I committed to adding or creating something every evening. Using a combination of drawing, newspaper, glue and feathers, I developed a visual story that focused on the concept of hope, depicted as a bird.

It’s healing power was to lift the main character out of the depths of fear and despair and show it different perspectives, beauty, landscapes. 

It was one of the most healing adventures I’ve been on, despite the fact I was I was sitting in a cupboard for most of it. And I was quite sad to pack it up and send it, now completed, to Brooklyn. But I took pictures and turned it into a physical copy for a book to give to my mum.

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Over ten years later when David and I arrived in the US in 2022 for our ‘Great Unknown’ adventure, my hit list for the trip was to go and see my book again in the ‘flesh’.

But when I went onto the website to see its opening times, it was closed because of COVID. 

Our tour was a round trip, so three months later when we were heading back to New York, I went back onto the site in the hope that it was open, to book our slot. 

There had been a fire. My book didn’t exist anymore. 

I was devastated. 

But at the same time, I had a copy. 

My mum had seen the book, and loved it. 

And not only that. The whole process of creativity had not only helped me to deal with the prospect of death and grief and loss in the future. It had stirred something else. 

Because I had started creating something from nothing, it had given me the insight and the impetus to start creating elsewhere. It was my first step of my brave journey. And from this space, Soloco was born in its first form, as a crowdfunding platform, the first of its kind in Scotland.

That in itself was the journey of great hopes and (perceived) failures. But if it wasn’t for the sketchbook project or my mum’s cancer, I wouldn’t be where I am now, doing what I’m doing, writing this now. 

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The Restorative Power of Creative Process - creativity really can become a vehicle for processing life’s most challenging moments. It helps you to work through complexity on a completely different level. But commitment and consistency is key.

From Personal Healing to Purpose

This creative journey became the catalyst for something much larger. The process of “creating something from nothing” didn’t just help me process grief - it awakened my capacity to create in other areas of life. Reconnecting with dormant parts of myself, and then sparking possibilities I couldn’t previously see. I am witnessing the desire by many clients to be ‘creative’ again. 

The Beautiful Paradox of Loss and Gain

The fire that destroyed the book is a powerful metaphor. Yes, the tangible object is gone, but it was the transformative process - the real value - that remained intact. This speaks to how our most meaningful work often transcends its original form.

Hope as Action, Not Passive Waiting

By choosing “Great Hopes and Massive Failures” and connecting it to Emily Dickinson’s poem, I explored the very essence of what I now help others discover - that hope isn’t passive optimism, but an active force that lifts us to see “different perspectives, beauty, landscapes.” This is the fire in the belly you can connect with. 

The Ripple Effect of Brave Creation

This creative process became the foundation for Soloco - originally as the crowdfunding platform. You moved from processing your own hopes and fears to creating a platform for others to bring their hopes into reality. It’s a perfect example of how personal healing work can become the foundation for meaningful impact. It really started me on my journey to discover my purpose. 

So, if you’re feeling lost, in pain, at a crossroads or rudderless - there will be somewhere within you, the seeds of your next significant contribution. 

The very process of creating through difficulty often reveals capabilities and possibilities you didn’t know you possessed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

So this autumn as we head for hibernation. Think about what you can create, and where that may lead you.

Here’s to your brilliance (even if you don’t feel it!)

Kirsty x

P.S. If you recognise yourself in this space and want to explore it in more depth, or you want to make that first step to be your brave, get in touch. I have range of different ways to support people, from 1:1’s to group work. Something for all budgets. I’m here.