You Can’t Rewind—But You Can Redirect

At some point in your creative journey—whether as a freelancer, designer, illustrator, or all-of-the-above—you’ve likely thought:

“If I could just go back and do that differently…”
“If only I hadn’t taken that job…”
“If I’d started sooner, I’d be further along by now.”
That’s the pull of rewind—the fantasy of a do-over.

We imagine what it would be like to take the road we didn’t take. We picture how things would look if we’d been braver, faster, or more strategic from the start. Sometimes, those thoughts come quietly; other times, they arrive with a full dose of regret.

But here’s the truth: you can’t rewind.

Not your last decision.
Not the awkward client moment.
Not the month you lost to burnout or self-doubt.
Not even the email you wish you’d worded differently.

And yet, this is where many creatives get stuck—believing that because they can’t go back, they’ve somehow lost their chance.

That’s the myth.

Because while you can’t rewind, you can always redirect. And for creative professionals, that skill—the ability to adjust, pivot, and realign—is often far more powerful than getting it “right” the first time.

Creative Careers Are Rarely Straight Lines

If you zoom out on any seasoned creative’s path, you’ll rarely see a straight, clean ascent from beginner to success. What you’ll see instead is a messy, layered sketch—full of lines that double back, erase, and change direction.

It’s rarely a perfect composition from the start. Instead, it’s a web of:

• Detours into industries you never planned to explore
• Side projects that unexpectedly became your main work
• Pauses that looked like setbacks but were really resets
• Clients who were disasters but taught you lessons you still use today
• Skills you thought were wasted—until they suddenly became useful again

We love the idea of a clean trajectory. It makes for a tidy story when someone asks, “How did you get here?” But in reality, most creative paths are full of left turns that didn’t make sense at the time and only reveal their value later.

So if you’re looking at your current situation thinking, “This wasn’t the plan,” you’re in good company. The plan is rarely the path.

The Rewind Trap: Why We Obsess Over What’s Done

Replaying past decisions is one of the most human habits we have.

You might find yourself replaying:

• The project you shouldn’t have said yes to
• The opportunity you turned down because you were afraid
• The platform you ignored that everyone else is now thriving on
• The six months you felt creatively blocked and barely made anything

The temptation is to let those reflections spiral into self-criticism. You start creating a narrative that you “missed your shot” or “blew your chance.”

But here’s the thing—the real problem isn’t what happened. It’s how you hold it.

Do you treat the past like a sentence—something fixed, final, and unchangeable?
Or do you treat it like data—a source of insight to guide your next move?

One keeps you stuck. The other gives you power.

Replaying won’t change the past. Redirecting will.

Redirecting Means Reframing

Redirection doesn’t start with rewriting your past—it starts with reframing it.

You can’t change what happened. But you can change your relationship with it.

Try shifting these common narratives:

• “I wasted that year.” → “That year showed me what I don’t want to repeat.”
• “That client ruined my confidence.” → “That project showed me I need clearer boundaries.”
• “I should have started sooner.” → “I’m starting now—which means I’m still in the game.”
• “I burnt out and lost momentum.” → “Now I know how to build a more sustainable pace.”

This isn’t about sugar-coating your experiences. It’s about extracting value from them. Creative energy flows better when you’re not dragging regret behind you like excess baggage.

When to Redirect (And How to Know)

So, how do you know it’s time to redirect rather than just push harder where you are?

Look for these signals:

• You feel creatively flat despite being “busy”
• You keep taking projects that pay but don’t inspire
• You’ve outgrown the clients, styles, or platforms you once thrived in
• You’re craving a new skill, audience, or creative outlet
• Your current systems no longer support your growth

And remember—redirection doesn’t always mean a dramatic pivot. It can be subtle, almost invisible from the outside:

• Changing your project intake questions to attract better fits
• Shifting your design style to reflect your evolving taste
• Redefining what “success” looks like (less hustle, more alignment)
• Adjusting your pricing, positioning, or primary platform

Redirection is about returning to your own internal compass—especially when you realise you’ve been following someone else’s map.

Realignment > Reinvention

One of the myths creatives often carry is that if something’s not working, you need to burn it all down and start from scratch.

Not true.

Most of the time, you don’t need a full reinvention—you need a realignment.

Ask yourself:

• What’s working that I want to do more of?
• What’s draining me that I can reduce or cut?
• What direction is quietly pulling me—even if I haven’t explored it yet?

Realignment is quieter than reinvention. It looks like:

• Saying no to one type of project so you can say yes to another
• Posting personal work alongside client work
• Asking for help before burnout hits
• Allowing your style to evolve without forcing it

Small adjustments compound. They shift your trajectory over time—without the chaos of starting from zero.

Letting Go of the Old Story

One of the hardest parts of redirecting isn’t the practical change—it’s the identity shift.

You’ve told people (and yourself) a certain story:

• “I’m a branding designer.”
• “I only do editorial work.”
• “I don’t post on LinkedIn.”
• “I’m not a people person.”
• “I can’t charge more than that.”

And over time, those statements stop being descriptions and start becoming limitations.

Sometimes, it’s not the mistake or the missed opportunity that holds you back—it’s the outdated narrative you’ve been carrying.

But here’s the thing: you’re allowed to change your mind.

You’re allowed to evolve.
You’re allowed to be wrong about what you thought you wanted.
You’re allowed to outgrow a niche, a client, a platform, or even an entire style.

The courage isn’t in knowing the perfect next step—it’s in being honest about what no longer fits and making space for something new.

Building Forward Momentum

Redirection isn’t just a mindset shift—it’s also a practice.

When the rewind instinct hits:

Acknowledge the truth

Be honest about what’s no longer working. No judgement—just data.

Decide what to shift

Pick one area. One behaviour. One belief. You don’t need to overhaul everything.

Take the smallest next aligned action

Update a project description. Reach out to a past client. Post something that reflects your current voice.

Expect discomfort

Redirecting feels strange because it’s unfamiliar. That’s a sign of growth, not failure.

Keep going—quietly if needed

Redirection doesn’t always announce itself with fireworks. Sometimes it’s just a slow, steady pull toward better alignment.

The Past Is a Place to Learn From, Not Live In

As a creative, your best work rarely comes from clinging to what was. It comes from responding to what is—and what could be.

Yes, you’ve made mistakes.
Yes, you’ve missed chances.
Yes, you’ve stayed too long in things that no longer fit.

And? You’re still here.
Still designing. Still evolving. Still able to redraw the lines.

The past is only useful if it informs your future.
It’s not a prison—it’s a path.

Final Thought: You’re Allowed to Change Direction

If you’re feeling behind, off-track, or weighed down by old decisions, let this be your reminder:

You can’t rewind.
But you can redirect.

And often, that redirection will take you somewhere far more interesting than the original plan ever could.

Your career isn’t a fixed script—it’s a living sketch. You get to edit, erase, redraw, and adjust the composition as you go.

The line might not be straight—but it’s still moving forward.
Keep drawing.