Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight of endless updates, headlines, and swirling information. Even as someone who values staying in the know, there are days when the pace of change becomes overwhelming. During one of those moments, I found myself stopping to ask: Why am I doing what I’m doing? What truly drives me? The answer, which I’ve had to remind myself of again and again, is creativity.
We hear all the time that the only constant in life is change. Indeed, change seems to march on whether we like it or not. But I’ve come to believe that the real constant is our ability to create. Change is something that often happens to us, something we must respond or react to. Creativity, on the other hand, is an active force we have complete control over. It’s how we shape our thoughts, our responses, and our future.
Our entire human story is a testament to creativity. From prehistoric tools to modern innovations, it’s creativity that has enabled us to adapt, survive, and thrive. In every era, new ideas have paved the way for what’s next. When you think about it, creativity is how we got here and how we’ll keep moving forward.
As we look around, we see our institutions and longstanding structures in turmoil. There’s a strong sense of dismantling, of breaking down the old. That can be frightening—especially when we don’t know exactly what will replace what’s being destroyed. Yet, in the same breath, I remind myself that destruction and creation go hand in hand. One can’t exist without the other. On the other side of breaking down comes the opportunity to build something new, perhaps stronger or more reflective of our modern needs.
This recognition—that our creativity is within our control—offers a kind of solace. No matter the chaos outside, I can center myself in my ability to imagine, to invent, and to breathe life into something new. Collectively, I believe, our creative forces can guide us through whatever transitional phase we find ourselves in.
Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, famously said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice.” Everything is in flux—time, reality, us. But instead of bracing against the current, I’m learning to rely on my creativity and my belief in it as my anchor. As the river flows, I can choose how I shape the next bend.
So if you’re also feeling overwhelmed by all that’s happening around us, consider turning your focus inward. You can join me in asking yourself what drives you, and look for ways to nurture your creative spark. That is a lot of what I plan on doing in the foreseeable future. Even in times of rapid change and uncertainty, creativity remains a constant—one that each of us can consciously wield to shape our lives and the world around us.
Ayofemi Kirby is Chief Strategist of ElevenThirtySix Strategies. Read her bio here.