Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Shiels. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Justin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

It started with a breakup. Like most stories. But what followed was a deep desire to understand myself fully: the good, the bad, and the not-so-awesome.

Therapy, daily journaling, and illustration changed my life and led me to launch a weekly newsletter that helps creative humans live a more intentional life. The Weekly Reset started in 2019 and in it, I share an original illustration, a short inspirational pep talk, a few interesting links, and something interesting to try.

But little did I know that the healing that led me to this work would be upended by the effects of the Pandemic. All of a sudden, I was going through my own personal reset, yet again. This time, moving to a new city and discovering that my relationship with work needed a drastic readjustment.

It’s my own set of resets that led me to writing and illustrating The Reset Workbook. We all have so many moments in our life where we have to be brave enough to make a meaningful change. Even when it’s scary. Even when it’s confusing. And especially when it’s hard.

The Reset Workbook is a guided journal that helps you navigate the pivot points of your life with confidence and clarity.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always been compelled by the power of words and pictures to change hearts and minds.

And as a child, after watching the 90s classic movie, Boomerang with Eddie Murphy, I knew that my dream was to become a Creative Director. It’s funny because 8-year-old Justin was ambitious and had a clear vision of who he might become.

But my creative career has led me down many paths. I did eventually become a Creative Director and worked in advertising and tech.

Also along the way I had the opportunity to cofound a conference for creators, I published a digital magazine about the city of New Orleans, and created illustrations for publications

Even with all the side quests, ,my journey always connects back to making people feel things.

Now as a creative consultant, illustrator, writer, and speaker, I love solving complex problems using the lens of emotional intelligence.

I create projects that focus on empathy, design, and culture and enjoy creating things that foster self reflection and joy.

I have two meaningful projects on the horizon.

My upcoming title, The Reset Workbook is scheduled to debut on December 6, 2023, with Spruce Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It’s a fun guided journal that helps you make small but meaningful change in your life.

In addition, I’ve developed an affirmation card deck called Joy Bombs. Whether you’re starting your day with a positive mindset, looking for a quick pick-me-up, or just need a reminder to stay present and focus on the good things in life, these cards help you find the joy in every day.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

From an early age, I was taught about the myth of the starving artist. This led me to believe that I wouldn’t be able to monetize my creative pursuits outside of providing services for clients.

This is categorically false.

And over and over again I have to remind myself that creating things for the world is my skill and I deserve to get paid for that skill. I’ve always been good about creating new ideas and sharing them with the world on social media or via a newsletter. But there’s been a lot of fear around selling. I had to let go of that fear and become comfortable with consistent self-promotion.

Your audience wants to support you, but there’s an endless array of distractions on the internet. So you have to consistently remind them of the ways that they can support you. You also have to take the things you love doing and make them accessible to wider audiences. This is the lesson that I’m continually learning with the work that I produce.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The world can be dark and scary. And with each new technological advance, it feels like we become more separated from the human connection we need.

The mission of my work is to spread joy and hope and self-reflection.

I’m not afraid to talk about complicated feelings because the world is complicated.

But I also want to be a light that encourages and inspires. There’s so much negativity when you scroll through your social feeds and my hope is that I can be a ray of sunshine for people that need it.

I’m working on spreading 1 million smiles. Sharing joy and kindness with the world in a tangible way that you can feel.      

Contact Info:

• Website: https://socurious.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinmadethat/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinmadethat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-shiels/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinmadethat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@justinshiels