Dreams Don’t Expire: Uncovering Notes from My Creative Past
What if we had a time machine and could go back and visit our younger selves from over a decade ago? What dreams would we uncover? What goals had we scribbled down with hopeful hearts and wide-eyed ambition? I recently had the chance to do just that — not with a time machine, but with a simple notebook found buried beneath years of art supplies and journals collected in my art rooms over time.
While sorting through my creative treasures, I stumbled upon a crumpled piece of notebook paper tucked inside a journal from 2015. That year, I attended an adult art camp hosted by the Nashville Creative Group at Nossi College of Art and Design. It was a pivotal time for me — the early days of my pet portrait company, Abi and Monroe. I was just beginning to step into the world as a public artist, testing the waters, feeling the fear of rejection, and pushing forward anyway.
The words on that piece of paper stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple but powerful list, written by a younger version of myself, mapping out what I wanted for my future:
Abi Reid (maiden name)
Publish a book or several
- What does it mean?
- Why?
- What do you need more of?
"Becoming a creative powerhouse to me means becoming unstoppable, no matter what walls I may hit. Why is this important to me? I have just begun my journey into publicly displaying myself as an artist, and it is time that I ride this wave & build up the momentum. What do I need more of? Resources for biz in art world & mentorship."
- Feel rejection & then move on
- Dedicate time
- Stop doing activities that are sucking my time
And then, a final note, seemingly scribbled during a workshop session:
Nashville Creative Group
"Give yourself space to daydream."
As if that wasn’t enough to stir my heart, I flipped the crumpled paper over and found another small note — a quiet whisper from my 31-year-old self:
I see this now as the last words of wisdom I gave to myself all those years ago. It’s all about timing, balance, and focus. I had to define what it is that I am really passionate about. And then… GOD opened that door
Reading those words again, over a decade later, felt like hearing an old friend whisper encouragement. It reminded me that this dream — to build a life rooted in art — wasn’t just a fleeting idea or a passing phase. It was a deep-rooted desire, planted long ago, waiting for the right season to bloom.
Life, of course, has had its seasons. Marriage, moves, babies — all beautiful and important pieces of my story — added layers to who I am. The dream didn’t vanish; it simply wove itself into the fabric of my life, growing quietly beneath the surface.
And now, standing in The Art Room, I realize this space is more than just a studio. It’s a reflection of that long-held dream — a place where creativity and community come alive, where ideas are nurtured, and where others can find the same encouragement and inspiration I once sought.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from that crumpled notebook paper, it’s this: give yourself space to daydream. Your dreams may take years to unfold, but they are never too far away. Keep planting the seeds, keep nurturing the vision, and trust that even after 10 years — or more — your time will come.
