Why it’s never too late to rewrite the script
When I look back at where I started, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come. From an award-winning designer with a thriving business to stepping away from it all to chase my childhood dreams, my story is a testament to the power of reinvention, resilience, and the courage to pursue the things that set your soul on fire. But let me take you on a journey through my life, one that’s been full of big, scary dreams, hard lessons, and a lot of risk-taking. And I want you to know that if I can do it, so can you. You just need to listen to that little voice inside telling you there’s more out there waiting for you.
Which dream shall I choose, the easy path or the unknown?
Growing up, I had two main dreams. The first one was interior design. The idea of creating beautiful spaces that could change how people felt in a room spoke to me deeply. But there was another, almost secret dream that stayed tucked away in the back of my mind: radio presenting. I remember spending hours with a fake microphone, using a boombox to play my “radio shows” and recording one-sided conversations, imagining I was interviewing celebrities like Busted (they never actually showed up though, it was still just me). It was my escape, my way of dreaming big and pretending to be the person I wanted to be someday.
However, as the years went on, I felt like I had to be practical. My family was in construction, so stepping into design was a natural and somewhat easier fit. So, I threw myself into the world of interior design. I went through school, college, and university, diving headfirst into the world of architecture and design. I didn’t just follow the path. I created my own business, Studio Gabrielle, from scratch. And let me tell you, it was hard graft (and that’s an understatement to say the least). There was no investment, no help, just me building something that would become my first-born.
For years, Studio Gabrielle was my entire life. It was everything I had dreamed of. The glitz, the glamour, the high-profile clients—it was everything you'd expect from a design business. Celebrities, fancy photoshoots, and champagne toasts—it was my version of success. But as much as it seemed like a dream come true, something shifted inside me. And that’s where my story really begins.
Is it burnout, or is it just lighting a new flame?
By September of last year, I found myself completely burnt out. This wasn’t a sudden change; it had been creeping up on me for years. But it reached a tipping point where I was completely uninspired, and the business that once fueled my passion felt like a weight around my neck. I was done. I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I couldn’t keep going down this path anymore. That feeling of not knowing what comes next is terrifying, isn’t it? But here’s the thing. Sometimes, the most terrifying part is also the most liberating. With nothing left but a blank slate in front of me, I knew I had to make space for something new, even though I had no idea what that new thing was. So, one night, I had a dream. And I’m not talking about some abstract wish. It was a literal, physical dream, where I saw myself as a radio presenter. And when I woke up, it was like someone had lit a fire under me. It was a fire I couldn’t ignore.
I didn’t waste any time. I knew a few people in the radio world, including an inspiring friend of mine named Jon, who had built an amazing career in radio, so I messaged him first. Then, I sent emails to local stations, not expecting much in return. But, to my surprise, I got a response. That response changed everything.
The universe said, “Well done, you did it. Now here’s your reward.”
A year later, I’m on air with my very own show, I’ve been interviewed on the BBC, and I’m starting new ventures that I never imagined possible. None of it has been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: when something feels right, when it grabs you, shakes you, and sets a fire in your belly, you can’t ignore it. Even when it feels messy, scary, or unformed, you have to jump in. That’s the thing about dreams. They don’t come to you fully formed. You have to grow into them, and they grow with you. And if you wait for perfection before you start, you’ll never begin.
Starting over is never easy. I had built a business, a career, an identity—how could I walk away from all of that? But here’s what I’ve discovered. Reinvention doesn’t mean abandoning who you were. It’s about taking the lessons, the experience, and everything you’ve learned along the way and using it to build something new. It’s like recycling all the good stuff into something even better. And that’s the beauty of reinvention.
Leaving Studio Gabrielle was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Gabrielle wasn’t just the name of my business. It was my alter ego. She was confident, cool, and a badass in her own right. Walking away felt like I was giving up a part of myself. But here’s what I’ve discovered: you don’t have to give up who you were to become who you’re meant to be. You take all that you’ve learned and use it to fuel the next chapter of your story.
What’s most exciting now is that this is just the beginning. I’m not here to just share my story with you. I want to hear yours. This journey isn’t just about me. It’s about inspiring you to take a chance on your own story, your own dreams. It doesn’t matter if those dreams are big or small, old or new. What matters is that you try. And that brings me to my first reason to try. No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to start something new. Whether you’re 18 or 80, there’s always room to follow your dreams. Dreams don’t expire. They’re just waiting for you to be ready to chase them. And even if it feels overwhelming or impossible, remember this. You’ve got nothing to lose when you’re starting from scratch. The hardest part is taking that first step. So, dust off that dream you’ve put on the shelf and make it happen.
It all begins with that one step, not just any step. A leap of faith.
For me, leaving behind a decade-long career in design was scary, but it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. Now, I’m taking everything I’ve learned and building something new from the ground up. I’m living proof that it’s never too late to try something new, take a leap of faith, and go after what sets your soul on fire. So, what is your reason to try? What’s that one dream you’ve been sitting on, waiting for the “right time” to start? Don’t wait for perfection, and don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just start. You’ll figure it out along the way.
And remember, reinvention doesn’t mean leaving everything behind. It means taking the best parts of who you were and using them to create something new. The possibilities are endless when you give yourself permission to start over.
Listen to the full episode of 13 Reasons to Try from wherever you get your podcasts and start rewriting your script today.
