010: Rewriting your future
What 'Back to the Future' teaches us about creative transformation
Allow me to get nostalgic for a minute.
Do you remember that pivotal scene in the movie Back to the Future when Marty McFly realises he has the ability to change not just his past, but his future?
When I first saw it, all those years ago, I had a powerful response. It was 1985 box office hit, in which—thanks to an eccentric scientist and a customised DeLorean car—a teenager travels to the past to change the fate of his downtrodden parents (his mother a sad alcoholic; his father bullied by his boss). Standing in 1955, watching his parents fall in love against all odds, Marty glimpses a profound truth about transformation—a truth that transcends science fiction.
Our lives unfold like stories written in invisible ink. They appear fixed until we shine the light of possibility on them. Like Marty, we stand at the crossroads of what was and what-could-be. We possess all the creativity we need to craft our next chapter, but we don’t always use that creativity.
‘Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one,’ Doc Brown tells Marty in the sequel to the original film. When we envision our future selves—vibrant, whole, fulfilled—we're not merely daydreaming. We create a magnetic north that pulls us towards the destination that we know, deep down, we’re yearning to reach.
The courage to cross timelines
Transformation requires us to step into the DeLorean of our consciousness—to travel with courage and curiosity between what is and what could be. It asks us to visit the past: not as prisoners of our current context but as witnesses, gathering wisdom without remaining tethered to old stories.
Like Marty watching his father stand up to his bully for the first time, we can revisit our own narratives and see them through new eyes. Where are the moments your story pivoted? Where might it pivot still? The timeline isn't fixed until we decide that it’s fixed.
The ‘future-self letter’ exercise
Here's where (if you’ll pardon the pun) the rubber meets the road—or where the flux capacitor meets the 1.21 gigawatts.
One of the most powerful creative exercises you can do is to write a letter from your future self.
Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine yourself five years from now, having brought into reality your most meaningful aspirations. Feel into the details of this reality—where you live, what you've created, how you move through your days, who surrounds you.
Now, with pen and paper (yes, analogue definitely works best), write a letter from this future self to your present self. Let your future self speak with compassion about the journey you're currently on. What wisdom does your future self offer? What small steps did you take that made the biggest difference? What obstacles did you overcome that in this present moment seem insurmountable?
This isn't just a visualisation exercise: it's time travel.
By embodying your future self, you create new neural pathways that make that reality more accessible. You're literally rewiring your brain to recognise possibilities that have always existed but have remained unseen.
The paradox of presence
Here's the beautiful paradox that Back to the Future illustrates: to transform our futures, we must be fully present.
Marty couldn't change tomorrow without being completely engaged with today. Even as he worried about disappearing (quite literally) from existence, his success came from immersing himself in each moment.
Creation happens in the now. When we sink our roots deeply into present awareness, we draw up the nourishment needed for future blossoming. This is the alchemical power of creative presence, in which you turn the base metal of your current circumstances into the gold of new possibilities.
The life that awaits you
Think of your transformed future as a photograph slowly developing. At first, the image seems faint, almost invisible. But as you commit to your vision, as you take one small action after another, the picture clarifies. The edges sharpen. The colours intensify.
Your future self is already there.
I invite you to write your future-self letter today. Set aside 30 minutes (lighting a candle if that helps create a sacred space) and let yourself journey forward in time. Then, return to the present carrying the wisdom and perspective of who you are already becoming. Share a glimpse of your experience in the comments if you feel called, or keep it close to your heart as a private beacon for your journey.
When you step into the DeLorean of transformation, you don't need 1.21 gigawatts of power. You only need the courage to press the accelerator and watch the possibilities unfold before you.
The future is waiting. Make it a good one.
Love, Rachel
Community inspiration
Publishing my manifesto
I’ve been releasing in serial form my manifesto for creative courage. Part micro-memoir, part reflection on creativity and its challenges, it charts the rationale behind why I founded Wordplay Coaching. It’s been a powerful process to return to the pivotal moments that have shaped my life and work—and my hope is that it provides inspiration for others too. Part 4 and Part 5 drop next week but if you want to read from the beginning, go to Part 1 by clicking below.
Meet me for coffee
It’s the start of a new month, when I open up my calendar for 20-minute coffee meet-ups on Zoom. No agenda, no sales pitch, no offer to promote: just a conversation about whatever we want to talk about! I do this because I like connecting with people on a 1:1 basis—just as you might get to know someone sitting next to them in your local cafe. It's also my way of saying thank you for supporting me by being on my email list. Click below to schedule a time. If we don’t know each other, I’d love to meet you. And if I haven’t seen you for a while, it’ll be a lovely way to reconnect.
Substack Live on Friday 4 April
On Friday at 6pm UK I’ll be a guest on a Substack Live on ‘Sacred Business Stories’, hosted by and , the co-founders of Sacred Business Flow.
We’ll be talking about my creative journey and the principles that are the foundation of my business and life. I’d love you to join us! You can access the live by being on Substack at that time and clicking the notification.
And if you’re not already subscribed to Phil and Carolina’s excellent Substack, I urge you to do so!
Creative inspiration
Books on the topic
‘Writing your future’ sounds good in principle—but how do we go about it in practice? Below are some of the books I’ve found enjoyable and thought-provoking that explore what it means to consciously create your meaningful future.
What books have helped you reimagine your future? Share in the comments below, and let's create a library of transformation together.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Nora, the central character, experiences a profound journey through different versions of her life. This story by British novelist Haig speaks of the unrealised potential we all possess—and the possible future creative paths we sometimes abandon when we can’t see a way forward.
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. In this novel, Brazilian writer Coelho explores those crossroads or transition points in life and how—if we’re to follow our own ‘personal legend’ (soul path or blessed route)—we need to leave our comfort zone and trust the journey.
Memorable quote of the week
This quote (spotted last weekend in the wild in Sheffield, UK) that inspired the theme of this newsletter.
What’s next?
If there’s something you’re longing to create (a writing project, an artistic creation or new venture) but need more courage and guidance, I’m here to support you expand the power of your self-expression.
Here’s how I can help:
Make an appointment for a virtual coffee (free). I hold 3-4 slots every month so we can get to know each other. Perfect if you’re curious about meeting new people and making connections.
Book a 30-minute connection call (free). This is for anyone—whether you have an idea you want to brainstorm, an issue that’s holding you back, or you just want to know more about my work. Think of it as a microdose of powerful coaching that can help point you in the right direction!
Read my manifesto for creative courage (free). Learn about the core principles I work with in my own creativity and business and follow in serial form the journey of how I came to found Wordplay Coaching.
Inquiry of Writing, an intimate group coaching experience. We meet twice a month—in which we use writing as a tool for curiosity, exploration and transformation. Respond to powerful questions, in discussion and in writing; share your experience; get feedback on what you’ve written. Get the support and connection you need to gain clarity about your life and creativity, and develop your confidence. This is currently full but talk to me about joining the waiting list.
Creative Essence 1:1 coaching. Personal guidance to work with you on recognising your survival mechanisms and the fears that hold you back from expressing yourself fully. Twice-monthly deep dives on Zoom plus individualised support between sessions. This is ideal for you if you’re looking for deep transformation and powerful support to make changes in your life or with a creative project.
Love the real life inspiration for this piece. It’s another reminder to be present in the world. We need inspiration and awareness… for everything, really. Whether to write or to think about your future or to plan out one next experiment for your life. It always starts with the here and now, doesn’t it?