It’s funny how everyone seems calm on the outside.
Smiling on buses. Typing in cafes. Laughing at jokes they barely hear because their minds are elsewhere—somewhere between “how do I make it?” and “what if I don’t?”
We live in a world where performance often precedes presence. Where we post reels of perfection while quietly unravelling behind our screens. Everyone’s chasing something—success, peace, validation, purpose, survival. But we rarely pause to admit it.
Take a closer look. The mother with tired eyes and a headscarf, dragging her toddler through the Tesco aisle? She’s chasing a stable tomorrow. She’s doing the math in her head—how to stretch the last £20 until Friday while pretending everything is fine. She’s not weak. She’s not lost. She’s just human—pushing through fatigue to give her child a future brighter than her past.
The young man on the train with worn-out shoes and a laptop full of drafts? He’s chasing a breakthrough. Something to prove all these late nights and near-broken spirits aren’t for nothing. Maybe he’s a writer. A developer. A dreamer. Maybe he’s all three. But beneath the earbuds and slouched posture is a loud prayer for “just one yes.”
The nurse in the break room scrolling through her phone? She’s not just passing time. She’s chasing peace. A pause. A reason to keep caring in a world that demands more than it gives back. She’s stitched people back together all day while her own life quietly frays at the edges. Still, she shows up—because some of us don’t have the luxury of quitting.
And then there’s me—Adanne.
I was chasing clarity. A sense that I belonged in rooms I used to watch from outside. That my voice mattered in a world that seemed louder than my thoughts. That being creative wasn’t a “cute thing” but a tool—one powerful enough to shift narratives, build brands, and help others chase better too.
Growing up in Nigeria and then finding myself in the United Kingdom wasn’t just a physical relocation—it was an emotional one too. I had to rebuild confidence in spaces where I was either invisible or underestimated. I had to prove to myself that my creativity wasn’t just decorative—it was impactful. Strategic. Profitable. Needed.
I didn’t always believe that.
In the early days, I’d create designs, write content, and build digital strategies that sparked attention—but still wrestled with doubt. Was it enough? Was I enough? Did anyone even notice the effort behind the elegance?
And yet, that chase—that hunger for impact—pushed me.
So I kept learning. Tweaking. Evolving.
Today, as a Creative and Digital Specialist, I no longer see creativity as fluff. I see it as a force. A tool to help others stand out, speak up, and scale. From CV writing that opens doors to graphic design that tells stories. From brand identity that positions you for success to web designs that convert. It’s all connected to the same thing we’re all chasing—meaning.
Because that’s what we’re really after, isn’t it?
We want our lives to mean something. Our effort to mean something. Our names to mean something long after the applause fades. It’s not just about income; it’s about impact. It’s about that mother being able to rest. That nurse finding joy again. That young man finally signing a publishing deal. That version of me who once whispered instead of speaking boldly—standing firm and helping others do the same.
I’ve realised something, though: the chase never really ends. It just evolves.
Once you find peace, you chase sustainability. Once you land the job, you chase promotion or purpose. Once you gain confidence, you chase consistency. The chase isn’t a curse—it’s a compass. It tells you what you value.
And sometimes, chasing isn’t about running faster. It’s about choosing what’s worth running toward.
For me, I’m running toward authenticity—helping people, especially young creatives, own their voice and value. I’m running toward building a digital brand that empowers, educates, and elevates. Whether it’s helping someone land their dream job through a powerful CV or helping a small brand craft an unforgettable identity—I do it with intention.
But here’s what I’ve learned and want you to take away:
1. Don’t judge anyone’s calm—everyone is carrying something. That smile might be hiding a storm. That laugh might be masking a loss. Be kind.
2. Chasing doesn’t make you lost. It makes you alive. You’re not weak because you’re still figuring it out. You’re human.
3. Clarity is often found while you’re moving. Don’t wait to be confident to start—start, and confidence will meet you on the way.
4. Your creativity is not a side hustle. It’s a solution. Especially for people like me and you who grew up having to explain why art, writing, or design mattered. It does. You do.
5. There’s room for your voice. Don’t shrink to fit in. Stretch to stand out. That’s where your power is.
We’re all chasing something. But the most fulfilling chase is when what you’re running after also pulls others forward.
So wherever you are on your journey—keep going. Not because you’re behind, but because you’re becoming. And becoming takes time, grit, and grace.
If your chase includes telling your story better, presenting your skills clearly, or building a digital presence that doesn’t just “look nice” but works—I’m here for that.
Because the world doesn’t need more perfection. It needs more people who are brave enough to keep chasing.
Let’s build something meaningful.
🌍 www.ardarrhinspiring.com
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