🎉 45: A Chaotic Birthday State of the Union

Apr 8

Welcome to my annual celebration of surviving another trip around the sun without spontaneously combusting or throwing my phone into the ocean. I turned 45 this week, which means I'm officially in my “IDGAF, but also please validate me” era. Let’s talk about it.

🧠 State of the Brain

Still spicy. Still neuro. Still forgetting why I walked into a room. But make it ✨aesthetic✨.

Executive dysfunction? Present. Hyperfocus? Also present. The ability to live in chaos but still create clean, bold branding magic for other people? Somehow thriving.

I’m not saying I run on iced coffee and adrenaline, but I’m not not saying that either.

💼 State of the Biz

Nicko Creative is still my baby—and now it’s a walking, talking toddler with a lightning bolt backpack and zero chill.

I get to build brands that punch people in the face (with style), organize chaos like a boss, and help other creatives embrace their weird. I’m fully booked, mildly stressed, and still forgetting to invoice people on time. Balance.

Also: I launched a new store. I’m dropping spicy digital downloads. I created a planner called “Get Your Sh*t Together” even though I famously do not have my sh*t together. Iconic, honestly.

💀 State of the Aesthetic

Black is still the color. Lightning bolts are still the vibe. Skulls? Always. If it looks like it belongs in a punk rock graphic novel or a graffiti-covered alley, I probably love it.

Oh, and I still hate pink. Just in case you were wondering.

🧩 State of the Self

I’m a little wiser, a little louder, a little more unapologetically ME. I don’t shrink anymore. I say what I mean. I show up messy, chaotic, neurodivergent, tattooed, and hella proud of everything I’ve built.

Also, I got a wife. She’s the best. 10/10 would marry again.

🎁 State of the Birthday Mood

This year, I ran a “Pick Your Present” giveaway—because I love giving gifts and also because I needed an excuse to yell about turning 45 online. (And who doesn’t want a mystery merch item or a brand consult from someone who designs like a caffeinated raccoon with a vision?)

🔥 Final Thoughts

45 is giving:

Main character energy
Mild joint pain
Fully booked but still winging it
"No" is a full sentence
Done dimming my light for anyone

If you're reading this and you're also neurodivergent, creative, or just trying to stay afloat—keep going. You're doing great. Celebrate yourself. Get weird. Wear the outfit. Launch the thing. Be too much.

I sure as hell am.

–Nicko

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Nicko Coleman