Create Your Way Out of The Rut.

Inspiration Must Find You Working.

There’s a scene—one of the most powerful I’ve ever witnessed—from the show Maid. The protagonist, weighed down by deep depression, spends her days lying on the couch, time blurring as days and nights dissolve into one. Then one day, as she sinks deeper into the cushions, something unexpected happens: she slips into the sofa and falls into an endless black hole. I remember watching in disbelief, wondering how this could happen in a drama so raw and real, not some fantastical sci-fi world. The scene was jarring, but at the same time, it was painfully accurate in its portrayal of depression.

Still from Maid on Netflix.

Have you ever been in a rut so far from who you are and where you want to be that finding your way back seems impossible? I’ve been there many times, sinking into that familiar space. Yet, each time, I find a glimmer of hope—a word from God, a light that somehow pulls me back from the edge. And when I can finally breathe again, I realise the one thing keeping me afloat is creativity. When I don’t honour my gifts, my soul feels heavy, and slowly, the couch and I become one again. The cycle repeats.

It may seem strange to link creativity with happiness, but for me, they are inseparable. We, as human beings, were made to create. And yet, we often confine creativity to narrow definitions. But it’s everywhere—in the way you dress, in the spaces you inhabit, in the books you read, in the friends you keep, in the actions you take.

A friend of mine, who had been struggling with depression, found solace in pottery. As a scientist, her world was rooted in the clinical and the practical. Pottery was a departure—at first, she felt lost, unsure of herself. But each time she worked with the clay, something shifted. She felt lighter, more connected, as though her hands were guiding her back to herself. She used to say she wasn’t creative, and I would laugh, knowing she embodied creativity in everything she did—from her stunning sister locs to her quirky style and love for designer shoes. We are all creatives, though some of us live in that truth while others choose to deny it.

Spotted on my morning walk. A reminder that creativity is everywhere.

Someone once introduced me to the word ennui. I hadn’t heard it before, but it struck me—listlessness, a dissatisfaction stemming from a lack of purpose or excitement. How perfectly this word captured a feeling I’d known all too well. Many of us experience this, though we struggle to articulate why. In my experience, it arises when we neglect the things that truly feed our soul.

For me, one of those places is the Jazzhole, a cozy little bookshop and record store in Ikoyi. Whenever I step inside, I feel alive. It’s not the most up-to-date selection of books or records that draws me in, but the energy. The owners, a husband and wife duo, have poured over four decades of passion into this space. It’s more than a store—it’s a legacy. And whenever I felt listless, I’d go there, sit, and listen as they bantered about life, politics, and everything in between. Within an hour, my creativity stirred, ready to be channeled into something—a new concept, a poem, a journal entry. Whatever felt right.

Creativity is a part of you, but it needs to be ignited. Like a fire, it doesn’t start on its own. No matter how much you think about it, wish for it, or pray for it, the spark remains dormant until you take action. I often wonder how much time I’ve spent in that limbo, thinking about creativity instead of practicing it.

Many of us find ourselves trapped in that space—our thoughts, fears, and doubts holding us back. We watch others practice their craft with what seems like ease and wonder why our own journey feels so different. This space drains our joy, leaving us with nothing to give.

One of my favourite quotes says, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” You won’t feel creative or inspired until you get up, separate yourself from your thoughts, and begin. Every day, I am reminded that time waits for no one. It is fleeting, unapologetic, and sometimes harsh. We spend so much time thinking, but we need to spend more doing.

What’s the worst that could happen if you make time for your creativity? Have you ever stood in front of a piece of art and thought, Wow, that artist really shouldn’t have bothered? Of course not. Even if the piece doesn’t resonate with you, you still respect the artist’s act of creation. So why don’t we extend the same grace to ourselves? Why do we stop ourselves from creating, from seeing what might emerge?

Isn’t that what life is about? To try, fall, get up and try again?

So stop questioning the value of your creativity. Honour it. Let it flow without judgment or fear. The worst thing that can happen is that you create something that didn’t exist before.

Creative Practice

This week, challenge yourself to dedicate 60 minutes each day to a creative practice. Whether it’s something new each day or focusing on one project, make a commitment to yourself: set a time in your calendar and guard it fiercely. Let nothing come between you and that hour of creativity.

At the end of each session, check in with yourself. If you feel energized and want to keep going, let the momentum carry you. The goal is simple—honor your creativity by giving it the most valuable resource you have: time.

Recommended Reading

I recently read one of the articles called Reclaim Your Creative Confidence aloud to my friend Taiwo, and he felt both personally attacked and inspired. When a piece of writing can stir something so deeply within you, you know it’s something special.

Happy practicing.

xoxo,

Nicole