Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I explore what it means to return to your creative practice after a break, and why stepping away from making doesn’t necessarily mean you have stopped being creative. I reflect on how we often measure creativity through what we produce, forgetting that so much of the process happens quietly, through living, noticing, and paying attention to the world around us. I talk about the pressure to get back into a routine, start new projects, and make up for lost time, and why the way back doesn’t have to be another productivity exercise. Instead, I share a gentler approach to returning to photography: letting go of expectations, following your curiosity, and allowing yourself to make something simply for the sake of looking. An invitation to stop worrying about falling behind, meet yourself where you are, and remember that sometimes all it takes to begin again is to give yourself permission to look, explore, and create.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this final episode of Season 1 of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I pause to look back at the ideas we have explored over the past twelve weeks, creativity, fear, perfectionism, showing up, and the messy magic of making things. I share what creating this podcast taught me, from the discipline of weekly episodes to the joy and vulnerability of building something from nothing, and why “done” mattered more than “perfect.” As I wrap up the season, I hope this reflection reminds you to keep creating, keep trusting the process, and keep showing up. Season 2 is coming next year, and I cannot wait to continue the journey with you.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I explore the tension between perfection and creativity and why “done” is often better than “good.” I talk about how perfectionism can disguise itself as care but often becomes fear that keeps us from finishing, sharing, and growing. I share a simple framework for working with perfectionism rather than against it, focusing on small steps, reflection, and letting go of the need for flawless outcomes. I also open up about my own experience with perfection and how this very podcast became a reminder that progress, not perfection, is what builds mastery, confidence, and joy, an invitation to release the pressure to be perfect, trust the process, and keep creating.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I explore the relationship between photography and truth and where authenticity comes into play. I talk about how framing, perspective, editing, and intent all shape what we see as “real,” and why a photograph is never truly objective. I also reflect on the difference between truth and authenticity, and how an image can feel emotionally genuine even when it is not entirely factual. It is a gentle invitation to look closer, question what we see, and think about the stories behind the images that move us.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I share 5 + 1 fun facts about creativity, small, interesting insights that highlight how it shows up in everyday life. I talk about how both sides of the brain play a role, how daydreaming and boredom can actually help creative thinking, and why routine and repetition are not necessarily the enemies of new ideas. It is a gentle reminder that creativity is not just something you have or don’t, it is something you can notice, nurture, and explore in simple ways.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I share a personal story about how a few key voices, some I have never met, helped reshape my creative path. We explore the idea of mentorship beyond the traditional one-on-one model, and look at how books, podcasts, peers, and even your past self can serve as powerful guides. If you have ever felt stuck, isolated, or like you are waiting for the “right” mentor to appear, this one is for you. Let’s redefine what it means to be supported on your creative journey.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I talk about the role fear plays in the creative process and how we can learn to move forward with it, instead of waiting for it to disappear. Drawing from the words of Elizabeth Gilbert and Rainer Maria Rilke, I explore how fear can become a companion rather than a barrier. If fear has ever stopped you from creating, this one is for you.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I explore the deep, often unspoken reasons behind our need to create and our desire to experience art. From healing and storytelling to connection and resistance, I reflect on how creativity shapes our lives and why a world without art wouldn’t just be dull, but deeply incomplete. Join me as I share personal reflections and a heartfelt reminder of why art still matters, now more than ever.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I explore the stereotypes that surround artists and creatives. Why are we so often expected to look, act, or think in certain ways? How do these societal expectations impact our mental health, our creativity, and the way we navigate our work? From emerging photographers to seasoned creators, I discuss how these stereotypes can freeze us in place and hold us back, and how we can challenge and push through them to keep moving forward. If you’ve ever felt boxed in by what people think an artist “should” be, this episode is for you.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme

In this episode of the Fifth Floor by Athina Neocleous, I dive into a personal and thought-provoking topic of what it really means to call yourself an artist and why it is so difficult for some of us to embrace this title. I share my own struggles with self-doubt and explores how this hesitation has impacted her creative journey. If you've ever questioned whether you’re "allowed" to call yourself an artist, this episode is for you.

Thank you for being here! See you on the next one! 

In the meantime you can find me here:

Website and Newsletter: fifthfloor.me
Instagram: @athinaneocleous
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fifthfloorme