10/10 experiences

Creative insights, ideas & inspiration for you to consider

Insights:

Today was Induction Day at The Cambridge School of Art. You know the drill: new faces, new places, and about a thousand ways to get lost in buildings that look like they were created by the Crystal Maze set designer! Even going to the loo is like navigating a labyrinth – one wrong turn and you’re in a restricted area with the fire alarm going off…how to make a first impression, eh?

But seriously, I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be here. Sure, it’s completely impractical. Expensive in both money and time – check! Bound to hit a few pinch points? Oh, absolutely. Yet, the overriding feeling is that of gratitude. Lucky enough to be here (as 1 of 68 students from 360 applicants), so I’d better make the most of it.

This got me thinking about times when I’ve made the “most of it”, my 10/10 experiences in life lessons. Not necessarily the best or most thrilling moments, but the ones that taught me something valuable.

I’ve got many so I’ll just share a few with you:

1. Travel has always given me a sense of freedom, and I can pinpoint the exact moment it all began. I was 11 years old, living in a town called Penicuik, when I had a sudden revelation: I was definitely old enough to take the bus to Edinburgh on my own. A whole 9 miles away. It felt like crossing continents at the time! Armed with nothing but bus fare and a whole lot of curiosity, I set off on my grand adventure. And just like that, independence and discovery became important to me – because once you’ve conquered the mighty 9-mile journey, the world’s basically your oyster, right? I’ve been back to Edinburgh a few times since and stood in the square outside the National Gallery (in the video below) just by Waverley Station and I can still feel the same goosebumps of freedom as I did many years ago.

2. Endurance adventures? Ee, I’ve done a few! We’re talking marathons, long-distance treks, coast-to-coast biking, and the occasional "What was I thinking?" mountain climb. I’ve done enough of these to know that when you sign up for an endurance challenge with someone – or worse, a group – you’re basically signing up for a crash course in human psychology. Forget icebreakers; nothing fast-tracks getting to know the best (and the worst) in people like trudging through miles of misery together. It’s the ultimate personality test. You’ll either bond for life or mutually agree never to speak again! And somewhere in the midst of all that chaos, you create stories together that only you will ever fully understand – the times you made it through together, laughing, groaning, and sometimes questioning your life choices.

   

   One of those “why are we doing this"?” moments

3. Being self-employed it’s this wild mix of ultimate independence and constant "What am I thinking?" moments. One minute, you’re basking in the freedom of being your own boss, and the next, you’re staring at your to-do list, wondering why you’ve willingly signed up for a job where everything is your responsibility. It’s like walking a tightrope between empowerment and mild panic – but hey, coffee is a legit expense right?! These days, I’m pretty sure I’ve become completely unemployable. The thought of having an appraisal or sitting in a KPI meeting makes me break out in a cold sweat. And don’t even get me started on "evidencing company values" – I’m too busy upholding my own!

   

   

   

From just these 3 examples, it’s clear that independence, freedom, and an adventurous spirit are at the heart of my key moments and I’m absolutely convinced this approach has fed into my creative confidence. I’ve got a feeling the next 18 months will bring a whole new set of 10/10’s, filled with similar themes. There’s gonna be a few surprises for sure but I can’t wait to share the journey with you, whether it’s through tears, laughter, or those inevitable "What was I thinking?" moments along the way!

Here’s to the next 18 months!

Inspiration:

“You have to begin, go do it badly at first, with sweaty palms and shaking limbs and gaps in what you know. You have to start, and perhaps you won’t feel ready or like you’ve fully prepared. Perhaps you’ll feel too late, too small, too scared. But it’s okay that you did not appear on earth with all the skills and information. It’s okay that there are things you’ll have to learn. It’s okay you won’t be perfect overnight and people might see you try and that getting where you want will take some time. Please begin, because you could enjoy it, because things just might go right, because the world craves your light, because you want to. Everyone starts somewhere; you’ll be in excellent company. You’ll be so proud looking back, recalling your first step. PLEASE begin”.

Poetry by @sophiediener on TikTok

Action:

Here’s a reflective task for the week: take some time to ponder your own 10/10 life moments – those experiences that have really shaped you. Don’t rush it; let these memories percolate and come to you naturally. While you’re at it, why not ask a friend about their standout moments too?

Once you’ve gathered a few of these memorable experiences, look for common themes among them. These themes can reveal your core values, both personal and perhaps a bit more private. And next time you’re unsure about taking on something new, ask yourself if you can find these values within the experience? It’s a great way to ensure that your decisions are based on what matters most to you.

Let me know if that’s useful?

Sam x