Floodgates Open: My Creative Awakening Over the Past Few Months
Creativity has a way of surprising us. Sometimes, it shows up exactly where we expect it — in the tools and mediums we know best. But other times, it takes a turn, flowing into unexpected spaces and demanding to be expressed in ways we hadn’t planned (like this podcast!)
That’s exactly what happened to me over the last few months. What started as a commitment to a simple daily practice unleashed a torrent of creativity I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just photography or videography, which I had anticipated working on. Instead, this creative energy spilled over into writing, directing, business and brand strategy, and more. It’s been a whirlwind — one that I can only describe as a creative floodgate bursting open.
1. The Daily Practice That Opened the Door
It all started with morning pages. Back in November, I made a quiet commitment to write three pages every morning, stream-of-consciousness style. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, the practice is as simple as it sounds: wake up, grab a notebook, and write.
At first, morning pages felt like a homecoming. As someone who has journaled on and off since I was 12, the act of sitting down to write felt deeply familiar. But this time, it was different. This time, I committed to showing up for myself every morning, no matter what. Before doing anything for anyone else, I would come home to myself.
The practice quickly became a ritual, a sacred container where I could spill my thoughts, untangle my emotions, and find clarity in the quiet of the morning. Something about knowing those three pages were waiting for me felt grounding, even on chaotic days.
As I kept going, something unexpected happened: I naturally started waking up earlier, craving that solitude before my son woke up. That hour became my sanctuary, a space where I could connect with myself in the stillness of the house. Standing at the kitchen counter whilst brewing a tea with a notebook and pen, and then curling up on the sofa to write, I felt like I was carving out a piece of the day that was just for me — a small but profound act of self-devotion.
This simple commitment opened a door I hadn’t even realised was closed. Through morning pages, I wasn’t just writing; I was remembering. Remembering the power of slowing down, of turning inward, and of letting creativity unfold without expectation.
And then, the unexpected happened: poetry started pouring out. Lines and verses I hadn’t written much of since university began filling the pages, as if they’d been waiting all this time for permission to emerge.
2. Fueling the Fire: Inspiration from Rick Rubin and Seth Godin
Around the same time I started morning pages, I picked up two books that profoundly changed how I approach creativity: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and The Practice by Seth Godin. Each offered invaluable insights, complementing each other in unexpected ways. Together, they lit a fire under me and opened the floodgates of creative flow.
Rick Rubin: Creativity as Listening and Being
Rubin’s The Creative Act reframed creativity as a process of listening rather than forcing. He describes creative inspiration as something already present in the world — like a signal waiting to be received. The creator’s role isn’t to strain for ideas but to attune themselves to this frequency and let it flow through them.
This perspective transformed how I viewed my creative practice. Instead of worrying about “making” something, I began asking, “What wants to come through me today?” Rubin’s belief that we are vessels for creative energy helped me let go of perfectionism and self-doubt. Creativity, he reminded me, isn’t about control; it’s about trust.
Rubin’s advice to follow what feels alive resonated deeply. He suggests that creativity thrives when we pursue what excites us, even if it doesn’t make logical sense. This gave me permission to lean into unexpected directions, from writing poetry to creating a four day ceremony, and to trust that those impulses were leading me somewhere meaningful.
Rubin also emphasises that creativity is a way of being, not just something we do. It’s about noticing the world, following what feels alive, and engaging with the act itself as a reward. This resonated deeply, shifting my focus from outcomes to the joy of the process. By embracing Rubin’s philosophy, I tapped into a flow state that led me to draft an entire book in three days, outline another, and reconnect with the sheer delight of creating for its own sake.
Seth Godin: The Practice of Showing Up
While Rubin inspired me to listen, Godin challenged me to act. His The Practice offers a deceptively simple philosophy: write every day, publish every day. For Godin, the creative process isn’t about waiting for inspiration or perfection; it’s about showing up consistently and trusting that the work will follow.
Godin’s habit of publishing daily, with over 8,000 blog posts to his name, is built on a single decision he made long ago: commit to the practice and never look back. As he puts it, “I don’t post a blog because it’s perfect. I post a blog because it’s tomorrow.”
This philosophy resonated deeply. What if I stopped overthinking and simply started sharing? Inspired by Godin, I began blogging daily, even on days when I didn’t feel particularly inspired. At first, it felt daunting, but soon it became exhilarating. Each post didn’t need to be perfect or groundbreaking; it just needed to be. Publishing daily created a rhythm, a momentum that kept the creativity flowing and gave me permission to let the work evolve over time.
The Power of Both Perspectives
Rubin and Godin’s teachings complemented each other perfectly. Rubin’s emphasis on listening to creativity as a living force helped me reconnect with the deeper essence of creating. Godin’s commitment to showing up and publishing daily gave me the structure and discipline to let that energy take shape in the world.
Together, they taught me that creativity thrives on a balance of flow and action, trust and consistency. It isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or crafting flawless work. It’s about stepping into the process — listening, creating, sharing — and trusting that the act of doing is enough to keep the fire alive.
By combining their insights, I’ve not only embraced writing and blogging daily but also rediscovered the joy of creativity in all its messy, beautiful, unexpected forms.
3. The Written Word Takes Over
Once I started, it was as though the floodgates burst open. Suddenly, the words were unstoppable.
In just three days, I drafted an entire book — something I had dreamed of for years but never thought I had the focus or clarity to accomplish. But it wasn’t just about the words on the page; the process itself felt deeply, almost erotic. I was creatively turned on by the ideas flowing out of me, as though I were in communion with something far greater than myself.
The act of writing became a visceral experience, and the energy of it consumed me in the best possible way. It was electric, intimate, and transformative. To capture the intensity of that feeling, I wrote a poem called Muse:
Muse
three days deep,
and already i am eternally yours —
body, mind, marrow-deep.
you entered me,
a guttural sigh of relief,
the first breath after a long submersion,
fingers aching to trace your curves
and etch your essence onto endless pages.
you move through me —
each breath a kiss,
a pulse, a promise;
you writhe inside my mind
whispers dripping nectar,
a rhythm older than time.
goosebumps rise like prayer beads on my skin,
as you murmur your secrets
and my hands obey —
frenzied, reverent,
anointed with ink and longing.
i have shown my devotion to you,
worshiped at your sacred space,
created a temple for you
carved with the very fibres of my heart.
i worship you,
kneeling at the altar of your endless becoming,
letting you pour over,
spill through,
drown me in your sacred waters.
oh my goddess,
you unmake me, reshape me,
a dance of destruction and creation.
you — the flame and the moth,
the tempest and the calm,
the beginning and the endless beyond.
three days, and i am lost,
delirious and tethered to your divine chaos.
let me remain here,
a vessel,
a disciple,
eternally yours.
This poem captures what it felt like to be so deeply immersed in the creative process — as if the work itself was alive, moving through me, taking over in waves of inspiration and devotion.
Energised by that momentum, I outlined and wrote a third of a second book shortly after. And then came the blogging. Inspired by Seth Godin’s The Practice, I committed to sharing something every day, no matter how small. Writing became a way to connect with others, explore ideas, and keep the creative flow alive. I created a Substack, began posting regularly on social media, and found myself more aligned with my voice than ever before.
As I return to my photography and coaching work after the festive break, I know my published output may slow, and that’s okay. What matters is the commitment I’ve made to creating something every day — not for perfection, but for the love of the process. Whether it’s a photo, a blog, a poem, or a podcast (like this very first one!), I’m ready to keep listening to the muse and following where she leads.
4. Creativity in All Its Forms
As much as the written word took centre stage these past few months, it wasn’t the only way creativity flowed through me. In fact, the sheer diversity of creative expression has been one of the most surprising and rewarding parts of this journey.
I assumed that most of my creative energy would go into photography and videography, as those have been my main tools for years. And yes, I did create within those mediums — I directed, shot, and edited my first short film, an experience that pushed me to new artistic heights. I also completed two personal brand shoots, both of which were deeply aligned with my evolving vision.
But creativity didn’t stop there. I designed two sales pages, blending words and visuals to communicate my offerings with clarity and heart. I built a photography website I’d been procrastinating on for far too long. And, of course, I conceptualised and brought to life Compass, a 4-day ceremony that feels like the truest reflection of my work right now.
What surprised me most was how seamlessly these creative outlets wove together. Writing, visual storytelling, strategic planning — they all fed into one another, creating a feedback loop of inspiration and flow. It reminded me that creativity doesn’t belong to any one medium. It’s a force that moves through us, adapting and evolving as we do.
The Journey Ahead
This creative journey has taught me to let go of expectations and trust the process. Creativity is not about perfection or even outcomes — it’s about showing up, listening, and allowing the work to take shape in whatever form it needs to.
As I move forward, I want to carry this mindset with me. I want to keep making space for creativity every day, whether it’s through words, visuals, or entirely new mediums. This year, I’ll also be leaning into podcasting, a creative avenue I’m excited to explore, and I’ll continue sharing my journey with the world, however it unfolds.
To anyone listening to this: If creativity has been calling you, I encourage you to answer. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect idea. Just start. Write the messy first draft. Take the imperfect photo. Share the blog post you’re unsure about. Trust me — the act of creating will carry you further than you could ever imagine.
Let’s see where creativity takes us next.
In Creativity & Connection
Rosie
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