“Hey y’all, it’s been a while since I’ve written an article or even made a post… So thank you for being here and supporting me and Cre8tives of all kinds.”— Ari The Cre8tor

Being a Cre8tive isn’t for the weak. There are things we face and experience that are unimaginable, yet we’re still expected to create and keep going. For example, over the past two years, I’ve been navigating growth as a Cre8tive while working a full-time job (which is a story for another day). I couldn’t understand why God placed me in this situation, but I’ve grown sharper in skills I wouldn’t have developed if I hadn’t taken the time to sit still—to be human, not just a Cre8tive.

Although it may surprise us, many of us face the same reality: working a 9–5 while still chasing our dreams. Cre8tives are a different breed—we work 40 hours a week and still find time to enhance our craft. Your craft may not be perfect, but as long as you use each day to work toward your 10,000 hours and define who you are as a Cre8tive, it will be okay. Others may think differently. They may believe you aren’t good enough. Don’t listen. GROW. Just don’t stretch yourself so far that you burn out

In the midst of burnout, doubt, and comparison, continue to show up for your passion. If you don’t, who will? Over these past two years, I’ve shown up completely depleted—or, as some may say, burnt out. In the middle of that burnout, I had to relearn everything I once knew. It was no longer about journalism or freestyling and being myself—it became about focus and honing in on industry standards. That shift helped me fine-tune the business and behind-the-scenes side, but somewhere along the way, my creativity and desire to create were lost. I began to question myself: “If I’m this creative person, why am I here? Why didn’t I go the way I should have? Why didn’t I listen to Professor L?”

I still don’t have those answers. But what I do understand is this: work unto the Lord, and everything will work itself out.

When you create, you are nurturing your mustard seed. All you need is a mustard seed of creativity and belief in yourself to get through. We aren’t giving up—we are healing and growing our inner Cre8tive.

I’m learning that healing isn’t loud—it’s subtle. It shows up in small steps, in the days you choose to create without an outcome in mind. As I extend grace to myself, the fire inside me looks different now. That doesn’t mean it’s gone. It just means I’m learning to burn slower—wiser.

So, if you’re in that in-between space—navigating jobs, passion, purpose, and pain—just know you’re not alone. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. Your becoming. Every day you show up, even when it’s hard, is another droplet being sprinkled on your mustard seed to enhance your foundation of the future you’re building.

Keep showing up.

Keep cre8ting.

Your story is unfolding exactly as it should.