Our new Creative Quests programme ‘Citizens of Curiosity’ kicks off 3rd Feb!
Spend a month immersing your curiosity in world changing theme alongside a global crew.
Reclaim your attention ✷ Turn the world into your playground ✷ Make & release creative projects
Dear Questers,
Sam here 👋
This weekend I celebrated 10 years of Questing.
On 4th of January 2016 I made a pledge to reclaim my creativity from the conveyor belt of adulthood.
My inspiration was depleted, curiosity on auto pilot. I wanted to hit unsubscribe on the idea that I was going to follow where life was naturally taking me.
I knew that life could be more adventurous and playful.
So I sat in a coffee shop in Brixton, South London with my notebook and wrote 59 words that have changed the course of my life ever since.
If this idea seems familiar - it’s because this is what later became Creative Quests (although it would take another 5 years to get to that point).
Everything I ever wanted my creative life to be, came from surrendering what I thought my creativity was. I stopped assuming and started being determinedly curious about new things.
Now, ten years on from that pivotal day, I’ve explored 31 themes - and thousands around the world have joined me.
🍿 Watch this video to hear the 10 year story in 3 minutes!
‘Unfolding’
A letter to my creative self in January 2016
Written on 04.01.26
Sammy,
This is a letter for you, 10 years on from a day that will be a significant part of your life. Although in some small way, I think you already know this.
Putting pen to paper on that day and writing out your 12x16 mission statement felt like answering a call from something beyond. A call to creativity so strong it was as if there was a shimmering energy under your skin - waiting for permission to release.
Soon, that creative part of yourself won’t feel like it’s waiting in the wings anymore. It will be centre stage.
I want you to know that this decision will change all aspects of your life in ways is unimaginable to you right now.
What will begin as immersing your curiosity in 12 themes over a year will become a blueprint for how you live your life. A practice that will heal you, hold you, and guide you through the many seasons to come.
The desire, or “the urge“ as Grandpa calls it, to explore your creativity will persist in you; evolving and shifting, but always a constant Northstar.
Your themed explorations even have a name now: Quests. A bit catchier than ‘my monthly projects’ don’t you think?
In 2026 your Quests look a little different (more on that later!) but they still carry the same spark you lit in 2016, a simple question:
“What could open up if I stopped believing the stories I tell myself about what I’m interested in or good at creatively?”
I don’t think you realise how potent this question is. Or maybe you do. I can’t quite remember.
This spirit of openness will launch you into the lives and passions of others. You will see the world through the eyes of storytellers, poets, animators, map-makers, conservationists, pilots, swimmers, magicians, scientists and so many more.
Every new theme - will reshape your perspective of what creativity is and how you understand yourself.
On this tenth Questiversary, you are up to 31 Quests and there isn’t a theme you haven’t found value in yet. Each exploration will show you a version of the world that was previously invisible.
You will make new friends across generations and geographies. You’ll have ideas that are shared across the globe and co-author a book on Questing alongside your very own community.
Seriously! People around the world will call themselves Questers. How insane is that? And I have other news for you…
There are some folks who have been Questing alongside you for five years now.
Let me also say - that it’s not all highs.
That sadness you feel, it will re-emerge at points. You will feel like you are back at the start. You will feel like an imposter. You will feel like this project should be further along than it is.
But you are older and wiser now and realise something very important…
A creative life is not really about big impressive projects that get the loudest applause.
The hardest thing of all is to be consistent in your practice – and build a life where you have the freedom to live and express yourself creatively in a way that works for the kind of life you want.
With this, a brilliant irony will emerge.
You hoped your challenge would help you find a new and singular passion. Pick and mix different themes until you found a creative match.
It may sound disappointing to know that this will not happen. What will happen is that the Questing process itself will become your practice.
The craft you will sharpen is a way of being. The art of being malleable, learning and unlearning, seeing the world as your playground.
In 2026 you have no idea how valuable this will be.
Questing is no longer only a way to stay creative, but a way to stay human.
Things have gotten busier, faster, weirder (bad weird), more automated. People are overwhelmed. People are lonely. People are disconnected.
And they’re seeking what Questing offers: clarity in the noise, human connection, playfulness, unexpected possibilities, different ways to orient yourself in the world.
What can I say? You were a decade ahead of your time!
All of these things will happen because you let go with some assumptions about yourself.
Thank you for this act of bravery.
So you probably want to know… what am I doing today to celebrate 10 years of Quests?
Well, the universe has delivered a big (little) gift.
Your first child… arriving this week. Today, you and the love of your life will make a commitment to parenthood; a whole new Quest to begin. January is a time for birth and re-birth.
You are in a very different season of life now, with another about to start. And I could do with some of that 20216 bravery right now. I’m on the edge of the greatest unknown yet. What it means for living a creative life, I don’t know. I’m nervous about it. But there is surely nothing more creative that nurturing a life.
You showed me that the unknown is the ultimate playground. So let’s play.
Thank you for beginning the journey.
As for the next 10 years - I got it from here.
To infinity and beyond
Sam.
04.01.2026
Sustaining a creative project for 10 years…
Ten years and 31 themes sounds like an impressive number when bundled up into one.
But I think it’s interesting to see what that actually looks like over time and how the themes & rhythms have evolved.
Any long term creative practice will have its high seasons and low seasons.
It’s hard to have that perspective when you’re in it.
There have been periods of intensity. Periods of pause and reflection. Some moments of going quietly insane with the amount of pressure I’ve put on myself to succeed.
2018-2020 was a particularly hard time where I wondered if really it was just a project I did in 2016 and I should move on.
I am so glad I persisted!!
KEEP SWIMMING! 🏊♀️
Finally
That’s all for this week. If you enjoy what we do at Creative Quests, you can support us or get involved by:
✷ Joining our flagship Quest programme! Our next themed adventure kicks off on 3rd Feb.
✷ Buy our book & card deck: The Quester’s Guide (Issue 01: Magic)
✷ Booking us for a talk or workshop in your community or organisation. If you want to know more - just hit reply on this email.
✷ Sharing this newsletter with a curious loved one
❤️ Or simply hitting the heart button makes us feel listened to.
Quest love,
Sam
CQ HQ
🥾 Quest Guide / Founder
📲 @saaamfurness
THE QUEST DIGEST by Creative Quests is a treasure chest of ideas & stories exploring what it means to live an illuminating, creative life. Delivered when inspiration and creativity strike. Subscribe to receive each issue!
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