When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned… Trusting God in the Redirection

Last updated on January 12th, 2026 at 01:46 pm

In my previous post, I shared how heartbreak, faith, and hidden creativity slowly led me back to making art.

But even after I began creating again… mostly for myself, I didn’t really know what kind of art I wanted to focus on… or if it would ever become something I shared with others.

The years that followed were full of experiments, detours, and quiet discoveries that shaped the direction I’m headed in today.

Embracing the Unknown

Between 2020 and 2022, I dived into learning all kinds of art… from making fanart, to photo studies, urban sketching etc… even as I continued sketchnoting sermons.

It felt refreshing to do something hands-on while studying in a field that wasn’t art-related.

I was exploring everything I was curious about. I even dreamed of creating a webcomic one day. There were many moments I wondered if I should drop out to pursue art full-time. Because even when it wasn’t easy, I still loved the process. I just wanted to keep creating.

But as much as I enjoyed making art, I also felt pressure… the pressure to find the “right” path… the “right” way to make a living.

The Design Detour

Along the way, I explored graphic design… something I’d always been interested in but never seriously pursued.

And eventually found my way to UX design. It felt like a logical next step. A way to stay creative while finding a more “secure” direction.

And since I was finishing college, I thought it might be a practical choice.

I learned a lot about websites, user experience, and all sorts of digital tools. But I realized I wasn’t excited to spend my days thinking about design systems and user flows.

What I loved was the visual side… the colors, the layouts, the creative problem-solving… But that wasn’t enough to make the rest of it feel fulfilling.

So I let that path go.

I didn’t want to rush into something just because it made sense. I wanted to build something that felt aligned… even if it took longer.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”— Isaiah 30:21

Returning to Faith, Again

I ended up taking a day job. And left aside the UX portfolio I had built.

At that point, I still didn’t know exactly what kind of art I wanted to make. I wasn’t even sure if I had a clear style or direction. I just knew I wanted to create.

Eventually, I started a new Instagram account to post Christian art. It felt like a small but necessary step.

I’d been sharing little pieces of my faith and creativity before… photos of my Bible study sessions, Christian poetry, cozy café moments.

But starting a new account focused on Christian art felt different and exciting.

I’d been wanting to combine my love for faith and creativity for quite a while. And this was the first time I let myself truly explore that.

I didn’t know what would come of it. I didn’t have a full vision. But I knew starting was the only way to find out.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”— Psalm 37:5

What I Know Now

I’ve learned that creative paths rarely look linear.

Sometimes you try something that doesn’t fit. And that experience still teaches you something valuable.

Sometimes your next step is simply… the next step. Not a five-year plan. Not a perfect proposal. Just the next thing you feel called to make.

Now, I’m slowly building a creative practice that feels like me… grounded in faith, shaped by what I’ve lived through, and honest about the questions I’m still asking.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10

Thanks for being here. It means more than you know.

— Nicole